Frank Ellison "Delta Lines" article

thanks. I have his book and some bits but not everything on the link.   I based alot of my new layout on his ideas and philosophy.  The models should be able to operate like the real thing and his concept of off stage (hidden tracks) and trains as actors makes it possible.  

Thanks for posting those links, Carey! Very informative, and entertaining as well.

Thank you so much.....I downloaded the B&W pics....I have never seen some of them....Thanks, again!!!!!!

These are something else!

Peter

Very cool Carey

I'll have to wrap my eyes around this later on. Thank you for posting this.

This is awesome. I believe that one of the old books I have somewhere that my uncle gave me may have an article of his. I will have to dig for it, that may take quite some time. I downloaded the article above, I'll print that up and read that this weekend(hopefully). Thanks again for sharing!

I have some early Model Builder mags that have some of his Standard gauge layout articles, those are just as neat.  Don't forget there were almost as many Roadside America articles in those early mags although I realize this post is specifically about Frank.

I did learn something though, did no realize some of his stuff used the name Jerome Madison.  I remember that name, cool articles as well.   Actually it makes sense considering the scenery.

Fantastic Thread!  There is a two part article in the Train Collectors Quarterly Publication of the TCA by Ron Hollandar on the Delta Lines, including color pictures. Its in the Second and third quarter editions for 2018.  its his personal story about his interest in the Delta Lines as a youth and then what happened to the layout after Frank died.  Later in life, Ron was able to acquire some of the pictures and other pieces from the layout at an auction. Some of you may remember Ron's book on Lionel,  All Aboard! which is about as good as it gets regarding  Lionel's place in American Culture.   

Hap. Hazard Packing Co  ...  you got to Love that humor from Frank!

Hello Delta Fans .

Glad you liked the links ..lots of good info and photos that  I had not seen before ...Peter thank you for posting the images ..

It was interesting to learn that Delta Lines was moved early in it's life ...which help explain early location photos from later location photos .   Has anyone ever seen movies of Delta Lines ?... Does that local  TV camera crew footage from 1956 still exist ? ...  good chance it was done in 16MM ...as live feeds and tape machines where not the norm in that era for such a local interest piece. 

It is amazing the power , attraction, and  influence that Frank Ellison has on the hobby still today with 70+- year old articles  and the fact that the layout has been gone for over 60 years.    Ellison's work  was presented in a way that seemed approachable to the average modeler. Photos of one of his sons cutting out pieces for the buildings helped , if he can do it  I should be able to .  Also the photos are carefully tight cut, well defined , as not to overwhelm you with the entire layout .    

Lesson to be learned from Frank Ellison's body of work ... to quote Oscar Wilde .."Any man can make history , it takes a great man to write it". ....   So it is important to record , photograph, submit articles , post updates of your  work   etc ... so the next generation can learn from your knowledge. 

Cheers Carey  

Carey,

   Thanks for starting up the topic.

Tom 

All things have relevance to those that take time to stop, look, and listen. Things that I myself didn't think I would be interested in as a kid, seem to be taking more of my forefront when it comes to things I like to learn about. Just seems to be that way anymore.

It has always puzzled me----No evidence of an uncoupling system on Delta Lines?  Considering the era, I presume the uncoupling was done by the 5 finger method??  

Kinda sad----the 'O' scale sized cast iron clunky vehicles of THOSE DAYS on Delta Lines distracted from the magnificent craftsmanship of the entire layout.

But Ellison is a true "O' scale hero----I remember him as the man who "did EVERYTHING with NOTHING". His cardstock buildings, artistically decorated, were so admirably "low budget", yet beautiful and effective.

                                                                                                                  -Salty Rails-

Does anyone know exactly what the middle line in the Hap Hazard Packing Co. roof sign says? 

HAP. HAZARD PACKING CO.

FRUIT & VEGETABLES    ????             (I think it says: FRUIT & VEGETABLES  and some other word)

FROM FIELD TO TABLE AS FAST AS WE'RE ABLE

I believe the middle line is "Fruit & Vegetable Shippers".

The reference I used - along with a magnifying glass - is a photograph that accompanies Ron Hollander's "Delta Lines In My Life" in the April 2018 issue of the TCA Train Collectors Quarterly magazine (page 20).  

That makes sense. Thank you!