Workshop Wednesday

I haven’t met too many model builders that “strange” was not in the description. HA

 

There seems to be quite a bit of G&D buzz lately on some of the MRR forums. I've noted several threads about John Allen, the G&D, some locomotives that may or may not be from the G&D, etc. There is a gentleman attempting to create a copy of the G&D who has been posting. He also has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Great-Divide-Lines-423511918192732/

Recently someone gave me a stack of old magazines, and one was RMC from December 1980:

 

The G&D was amazing and as such i dont think trying to or recreating it would do the original any justice. Its gone, admire it but leave it to rest in peace rather than resurrect it as it would never be the same as the original. Its already been done, why wouldn't one try to be original and create their own masterpiece of similar grandeur if one is going to build something of that magnitude, rather than try to copy the Mona Lisa ? Seems a little pointless.

 

I was always smitten by John's #25 2-6-0. Neat little engine!

Andre

EDIT: Haven't a clue where the word "like" came from in my orignal post: "I was always smitten by John's like #25 2-6-0. Neat little engine!"

 

I agree Karl. That much work and money to make someone else’s dream is odd to me. I think the same when I see “clones” of custom cars and trucks, most of which are poorly done and do a disservice to the original.

 

Amen to that. Dont build another original Batmobile or any other unique vehicle as the only one in existance should be the original one created and a knockoff just wouldnt be the same. There is really no talent in that as someone already did it.

I would love to have the unique and beautiful Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, for me it was the best movie car ever, but most likely will not ever be in my budget lol. (Apparently they offered to sell Chitty to Dick Van Dyke but he declined and he later stated he regretted not having purchased it.)

Anyhow, back on topic I would be ok with a recreation of a locomotive, structure or scene from the G&D as a tribute and used on a layout, as it is not recreating the G&D as a whole.

 

Yes there was some pretty awesome G&D motive power !

 

My road to appreciation of John Allen's work was a bit different. At first glance in the early 70s, I thought it wildly whimsical and certainly not "realistic". (At that phase in my modeling life my attitude was basically "if'n it ain't diesel, an' if'n it ain't realistic (by my abstract definition of realistic), it ain't poop!"

It fell to an NMRA slide clinic on photography at my first train meet in about 1974-5 or so, to help me to see past my modeling tunnel vision. Said slide clinic was prepared by John Allen, and the photographic supporting material was produced by John himself, as well as the taped voice-over that ran alongside the slide illustrations. (Host David McDonald would advance to the next slide when an unobtrusive bell would ring on the audio tape.)

Once I finally began to look past what I considered a "funky-fantastic" layout at the time, and truly began to see what John had built, I was amazed at the "atmosphere" he had created. Such a wonderful, whimsical world. From that point on, I have always respected and admired what John created in his GD Lines.

However, my modeling took a much different path shortly thereafter, courtesy of RMC's "The V&O Story". Said path has led to several "operationally successful" layouts... but I readily admit that none of them possessed nary a skoshie-bit of the charm of the GD Lines.

Whereas I have seriously flirted with the idea of attempting to create my own whimsical world via modeling a mythical Colorado line set in the 1880s, I had to conclude that I just do not possess the artistry and flair of John Allen, and likely would have been quite disappointed in my results. SO, it was back to the Ozarks (that I can do a fair job of representing) and modeling "bread n' butter" type themes (i.e. layouts lacking the "spectacular" in presentation)... and the rest is becoming my personal model railroading history as I continue to live it!

All fer now.

Andre

 

Anyone seen these? @Jim James @Coonskin ?

They are a bit spendy, but would look good on the Pre-1930 layout.

https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Artitec/387.413.aspx
Artitec T-Ford Runabout Top up

https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Artitec/387.417.aspx
Artitec Ford Model TT open bed truck

https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Artitec/387.419.aspx
Artitec Ford Model TT tow truck

 

Jim, ditto what Ken said. We all go through a slump sometimes. I going through one now, just can't seem to find the time and it is kind of depressing. Did get a half hour yesterday evening to mark cut lines on a 3/4 inch Birch plywood board for a new module 05.

Joe

 

Hang in there Jim. You never know which ones of us you are motivating.

 

Jim just needs to get out of Illinois. Further to this, I have a railroad that is much larger than Jim's and right now I'm having trouble getting motivated to work on it, partly because I can't figure out how to work in the next layer of scenery. For the last several weeks I've contented myself by replacing all the old ballast (and there is a LOT of it).

GS

 

Hey Jim, I know the feeling. Do what you enjoy...it's a hobby. Just know that you are a master here and we very much appreciate the sharing of your work.

If this qualifies as workshopping, I have been playing with a new camera and trying to get things like color balance and depth of field working well for model photos. I thought this one turned out nice....

Speaking of Jim's work....that is his caboose on the tail.

Take Care All,

-Bob T.