Michael premack layout

You might want to check with Steve Brenneisen (Ross Custom Switches) as he did all his switches Back in the 80's.

One of the mags did an article on him in the late 80s or early 90s..........but I can't be more specific than that. I'll try to figure it out.

I'll ask Tom McComas and Steve Brenneisen at York on Thursday.

Peter

I guess it kinda makes you wonder where all the older enthusiasts are....Ward Kimball passed away, not too sure about Ralph Johnson or Stan Roy. I was fortunate to meet Barry Leonard and Ron Zweig a couple Yorks ago...

This is one of my all time favorite layouts ever!!!!!!!!!!!

His article was in the June 1990 Model Railroader. I have it at home. Yes, there was a track plan for his layout as well. I also have his layout in the Great American Toy Train Layouts book from TM, and on video. I keep wondering what happened to his layout. It truly was one of the first Toy/Rail-Hi Rail layouts of its time!!!!!!!!!

Please let me know if you find out ANY More info about it. 

Here is the layout on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikED8-eTGVA

Here is a link to the June 1990 Model Railroader magazine that features his layout, that you can purchase.

Model Railroader Magazine Link

Wasn't it dismantled years ago?

I dont know about being dismantled, but when i asked Steve from ross several years ago, I believe he told me, Michael switched everything to MTH....I hope not!!!

I guess it shows you can have a Hi-Rail model railroad with real railroad operations WITHOUT command control or expensive all-scale engines and rolling stock.

Back then, the only scale steamer we had in O gauge was the MPC Semi Scale Hudsons, and the Rock Island northern, which he has along with the Lionel Lackawanna Northern. I have 2 additional photos of his layout that were in a 1989 MR magazine before his layout was included. He mostly used MPC Collector Line with some postwar operating cars/accessories. 

FYI, I believe the man's last name is Primack. From a brief Google search, he's a dentist still practicing in the Chicago area.

Acutally, those 2 additional photos were put in CTT back in 1990, but they never did an article on his layout.....I really would love to see what it looks like today..

Thanks for posting this topic, those are a neat series of videos!

I would be happy to consider his layout for an OGR feature if someone can put me in touch with him and if he is willing to participate.

I don't care if he's all Lionel (any era), all MTH, or any combination of those or anything else.  I like them all!  

I saw the layout up close a while ago; after the magazine article ran. The layout is much smaller than you would guess from the article. Dr Primack set this up so that he and his son could actually run several train scenarios of moving cargo to various locations on the layout by phone communications.

It was the first time I was exposed to Brenneisen(Ross)'s switches and for me that changed everything as to my own layout that is now equipped with many many Ross switches.

Dr. Primack used to go to the Meets in DuPage but I have not spoken to him in a long time.

Allen, I would probably contact Steve from Ross Custom to get the info.

I would LOVE to see what this layout looks like today!! Let us know how you make out!

Allan, just checking in, Did you contact Steve, to get Mr. Primacks info about doing an article on his layout? I am dying to see what it looks like today..

I have an old VHS copy of the episode with Michael Primack's and Ron Zweig's layouts. I used to watch it quite often. They are both very nice layouts and I have often wondered about the status of their layouts.

Ron Zweig's layout was in a recent issue of OGR. Still standing!

Allen, have you been able to get in contact with Steve Ross, about getting Michael Primacks Contact info to do a story on his layout? I would love to see what it looks like today..

Allan....I would love it.......He used Ross switches to make a believable yard and used Postwar trains operating in a realistic way.

Peter

Why not google Michael Primack and ask him directly what's going on?

Why not google Michael Primack and ask him directly what's going on?

Great idea......Allan....you'd be the obvious choice to call him......When you search Michael Primack DDS Illinois, there are lots of listings for his office.

Here's the video on You Tube:

Peter

That's an interesting video.  I don't recall seeing at DuPage, but then what are the odds?

Art

Wonderful walk down memory lane!  Thanks for posting the video.  

A truly amazing layout that has stood the test of time.  And it's somewhat humorous in a way to see how far toy train technology has come over the years -- especially today's Legacy Railsounds compared to yesteryear's "Mighty Sound of Steam".  No comparison whatsoever in that department... and it almost hurts one's ears to listen to it.  But Primack's layout is still a classic all these years later.  I'm thinking that video must be close to 30 years old now.    Have that many years really gone by???  

David

The book Great Toy Train Layouts of America is circa 87-88.  The videos followed 1-3 years later.

(this is from my memory.....I'll check the book and the video when I get home) 

Peter

Art

That car he's driving used to belong to Milt.

Alan

Alan - That is an interesting piece of trivia.  Another of Steve's track plan legions.

Art

Alan - Are going to be at the Verdict to expand on the Michael Primack lore this Sunday?  I am anxious to learn more about this gentleman and his layout.

Art 

I watched the Primack video on the TV screen last night, and it is still as enjoyable as it was back when I bought it on VHS in the early 90s. Tonight I hope to watch the Stan Roy video, if I can steal a half hour to do it. He had a great layout, and used relays for automatic operation. I wonder if he ever converted to TMCC?

I still have this book, got if for Christmas as a kid.  I wonder how many layouts in it are still around?  I know the one at the Indianapolis Children's Muesem is long gone...

Primack's layout opened new ideas for building a hi-rail layout...at least for me.

Enjoyed the video.  First time I ever saw it.