Two very different and opposing routes to fulfillment in the contemporary pursuit of the modeling railroading hobby are to be found in two new videos from TM Books and Video; Tinplate Legends in Action, Part 2 and World Class Hi-Rail Layouts, Part 3.
First, Hi-Rail layouts – Part 3
Two impressive layouts located in California and built by the Vargas Brothers’ Images of the Past Railroad Modeling Company are featured. The first is the Mt. Marlborough model railroad owned by John Silk. The layout is composed of a blend of realistic-looking scenery, many bridges of many designs, and numerous operating accessories including a carnival scene. Numerous hidden parking sidings were incorporated to limit the need to take trains on and off the layout. The second layout is the 20th Century Scenic Railroad owned by Douglas Smith and Sandra Lloyd. Both Vargas-built layouts feature the rugged beauty of the American West and representations of Yosemite National Park. The 20th Century RR includes scenes based on both Hollywood and New York City, complete with skyscrapers and a stunning representation of the Grand Central Terminal complete with an accurately decorated and illuminated interior. Many vignettes based upon recognizable diverse icons such as the Capitol Records Building and the Bates Motel are utilized, not so much as to be realistic per se, but rather to portray slices of life.
Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders started out as an HO modular club but the emphasis changed to 0 gauge hi-rail. The layout features the extensive use of Railking structures and accessories and scratch-built trestles and bridges in realistic scenery. The video provides a model of how to set up, house, and run a large club layout for the benefit of the members and to recruit new enthusiasts to the hobby.
The National New York Central Railroad Museum located in Elkart,IN has a good display of original NYC equipment including the 3001 Mohawk and an E-7. Several educational displays are included in the former NYC depot. The focal point of the exhibit is a large nicely executed U-shaped hi-rail 0 gauge layout that fits into the educational mission of the museum. There has been a recent upgrade of the layout prompted by a large donation of trains by the son of Stephen and Josephine Bell. The museum is well-worth a visit when you are in northern Indiana.
Next, the Tinplate.
Having had the personal pleasure of visiting Chuck Brasher’s Standard gauge layout with the crÈme de la crÈme of Lionel, American Flyer and Ives Standard trains, I believe that it is the finest Standard gauge layout of which I know. Nothing can substitute for actually standing in Chuck’s attic, but the new TM video is the next best thing. Practically every last bit is original vintage. A short segment has Chuck and Mike Wolf doing a point-counterpoint bit on the relative merits of originals versus reproductions. Each has their moments, but Mr. Wolf appears to get the better of the exchange.
Dave Corbett started with Lionel but switched allegiances to “Chicago” American Flyer. This segment is a great opportunity to see the best of wide gauge AF in action. Jim McCarthy mixes a bit of vintage with a lot of modern reproductions. His is an impressive display that includes LCT Brutes pulling eight State cars.
In the TM Layout segment, Tom and Co. convert a 30 x 50 attic into a Standard gauge tinplate layout with over six independent loops including a setup for a “money shot” with six tracks under a three No. 300 Hellgate bridges. Turnouts are very few in the track plan. Most of the trains on the TM layout are repros, by the way, probably because ‘shiny and new’ photographs so well. Watching the construction of the layout will give the viewer some ideas for the one at home.
The video is punctuated with good-natured commentary in “Talking Tinplate” with John and Ron (Ron Grossman and John Potter). Both gentlemen distain reproductions. Ron the Truculent Marx-ist, just loves rust and dents! At one point, Ron tosses a Modern Era train off to the side as one might discard a McDonald’s wrapper. John the More Reasonable makes a strong case for the thrill of the chase and for the history that only comes with originals, but kind of slides by the expense when the more desirable trains are considered. But, it’s all in fun and might induce the collector to rethink his or her position.
Videography and sound are great, as usual, with TM. Jazz and bluegrass music provide the background and are a welcomed addition for this viewer.
Great fun!
Bob Bubeck
