Spotlight Model RR, KC MO

Discussion in 'General' started by Coonskin, Jan 16, 2019.

  1. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Do any of you perhaps have a photo(s) of Spotlight Model RR that was over on Troost Ave?

    I would sure like to have some pics for my "scrapbook".

    Thanks if you can help!

    Andre
     
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  2. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    That was my hangout as a youth, and it was a short, bicycle ride from my house at 74th and Oak. Spotlight was on Troost between 74th and 75th streets. It was owned by Leonard Specht and managed by Tem Johnson. I wish that I had a picture of the place too.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2019
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  3. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Sounds like Spotlight was much like Tinkertown in St Louis. Wonderful shop, great guys, one of them, Jim, the founder, kind of gruff. I was one of the customers who got Jim, a steam guy, to agree to stock Details West and Detail Associate detail parts early on, because his thinking was "nobody wants to detail diesel models". Sure! Eventually, TT stocked most every part from all the detail part suppliers, and sold a bunch of them.
    The St Louis model railroad market really misses TT!
    K
     
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  5. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Thanks Karl.

    I suspect that many of us KC kids have great memories of Spotlight. In my early-mid teens (mid-1960s, before I could drive) my dad would take me over there every now and then for supplies and goodies. It was through the help of the fella's behind the counter (that I now know, thanks to that thread you linked, was Tem Johnson and Art Pennington) that I learned of Floquil paints, Champ Decals, and Walthers Solvaset decal solution. They were actually responsible for me starting to paint and decal my own items... using Floquil "Barrier" and a soft brush! (Turned out surprisingly good, actually.) Yup, I went from factory-decorated Santa Fe Athearn/Tyco Red Box engines to Mop Jenks Blue... and I did it myself!

    They also helped me start with "craftsman" kits. I built several Quality Craft kits, including quite a few of QC's "Tri-Level" auto racks. Those didn't turn out quite as good as my engines, but hey... I built them myself and I was proud of them!

    Even after I was married, for over a decade or more I frequented Spotlight during my yearly sojourns to KC to see relatives. I can't remember when Spotlight finally closed, but I want to think my last visit to the place was early 1990s?

    Like you, I'm sure, I have vivid memories of the shop "back then", as well as later on in its life. I always loved the smell of the place when you walked in, as well as the plethora of model train stuff! It was sad to learn of its closing.

    Spotlight will always hold a soft spot in my heart. In retrospect, I wish I would have thought to thank Tem and Art many years later for pointing me toward the more creative and constructive ways of model railroading.

    All fer now.

    Andre
     
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  6. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Hmmmm, who would have ever thought of taking a photo? The building is still there as is the old sign. Granted it has been painted over.

    Rod Stewart's assistants would stop in when he came to/through town. It was alleged that he actually stopped in a time or two, but who knows for sure.

    That was my hangout as well. Bought my first FSM kit and Mainline Modeler Magazine there. It was the meeting place for the Tuesday (?) lunch bunch. Jim Sucher worked there for a while until Signal House started in Crown Center.
     
  7. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    "Hmmmm, who would have ever thought of taking a photo?"

    Exactly.

    We don't think of those things while living life... it's after things are gone that we wish we would'a.

    Thus, I'm here beggin' and hopin'.

    Andre
     
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  8. frisco1522

    frisco1522 Staff Member Staff Member

    You have no idea how much it is missed, as is Frank Willis.
     
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  9. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Chuck Hitchcock was in the store one day when a black limousine stopped in front of the place. A thin guy with blonde hair walked right in and up to the case with brass locos. Chuck said Tem leaned over to Chuck and whispered, "That's Rod Stewart!" Chuck said that Rod looked at a few brass locos and bought two. He, told everyone to have a nice day, walked out to the limousine and rode off.
     
  10. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Neat little tidbit there, Keith!

    Almost without fail, every time I open a bottle of Solvaset or Floquil... my mind takes me back to my Mop, nee ATSF, layout in the KC basement, or I have glimpses of the main customer desk at Spotlight... or...

    Model railroading can be magical at times.

    (Also helps me to be a kid longer.)

    Andre
     

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