It was in May/June 1976 that letters were sent to about 20 modelers soliciting interest in forming an information sharing group to aid in Frisco prototype modeling. 62 newsletter (2,000+ pages), several conventions, and these excellent award-winning web sites later, it has certainly been worth while. Doug Hughes in Annapolis, Founder
Doug, I think a lot of us would be remiss if many thanks were not given to you for your initiative as founder 25 years ago. I can think of a nice (albeit very selfish) way to observe the FMIG's Silver Anniversary. I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing your reprints of the Mogul/Consolidation articles on-line, along with the CMS scannings. For those of us who aren't much older than the FMIG itself (OK, so I'm 29 and hooked on the steam era; I haven't quite figured out why yet), seeing more of these old newsletter articles and features on-line would allow for a wealth of information to be shared with others. <FONT COLOR="red">Ship IT on the Frisco!</FONT>
FMIG Founder and FMIG LINES Editor Doug Hughes FMIG Founder and FMIG LINES Editor Doug Hughes (right) working at Velji Do, Croatia 16 April, 1996.
\html{ The Frisco Modelers' Information Group (FMIG), a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) was founded in June 1976. It is an informal organization of model railroaders who model the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railway. The communications media are a periodic newsletter, electronic mail, and occasional conventions. Newsletter production since 1976 has totalled 60 issues and over 1800 pages. Early issues featured prototype research and equipment and facility modeling. Later issues feature layout design, construction, and operation. A future goal is to model most of the prototype system in multiple basements/spare rooms and to operate monthly on a common night with dispatching via telephone or electronic mail.</p> Participants have included four NMRA MMRs, at least four NMRA National Clinicians, founder/publisher of the LD SIG, Associate Editor of the LD SIG, past president of the T.R.R.A. Historical Society, Chief Mechanical Officer/Engineer/Fireman of the prototype Frisco 4-8-2 #1522, Editor for one of the BN Divisional Newspapers, owners of two layouts featured in MODEL RAILROADER, the director of the Frisco Museum, a layout builder who is designing/building his own DCC controller, an NMRA Regional President, a renowned railroad artist, two model railroad kit producers, licensed hams, licensed pilots, holders of post-graduate degrees, etc.</p> The major layout design guidance espoused by the FMIG is to not freelance a track plan. The prototype ones are much more interesting than anything one could dream up.
Charlie was the editor of the FMIG Newsletter for many years. Building on the work done by Doug Hughes, he ushered in a new era for the newsletter. He brought high resolution photographs, tons of modeling information, and a new standard of excellence to the newsletter. What we need now is a photograph of him, can someone upload it? charlie-choochoo@getatlas.com
CharlieDischinger, past editor of FMIG Lines and a general Frisco guru Charlie - Who is still interested in the Frisco, but even more interested in taking pictures of what is here and now. The BNSF.
Is Lee Buffingto still about? How about some background info on him? How can he be contacted? email? Slow mail? Prayers? John Mann jmannmanny@aol.com
Would like to talk Frisco with Charlie. How can he be contacted? email? Slowmail? Other? Current address & phone no? John Mann jmannmanny@aol.com
