Influential Modelers with Bob Brown
Bob BrownDescription
Tuolumne Forks is a O&3 freelanced narrow gauge logging and mining railroad. Bob Brown is the editor and publisher of the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette.This layout combines mining and logging with a tourist line. The operation follows the Lake Tahoe Railway and Navigation Company’s transport of tourists from Workshop to the Lake Tahoe Resort. The railroad is famous among narrow gauge enthusiasts like Bob Brown.
Even though many builders are inspired by Bob Brown because he is one of the finest model railroad builders today, over the years he has looked up to others too.
Many early modelers have influenced Bob’s work such as Cliff Brandt, John Allen, Lee Claus at Bell Lee Car Works, and Hugh Butell. Hugh Butell was a very early pioneer, and it took Bob Brown a 13 year search to obtain Butell’s last models. Bob views Hugh Butell’s work as folk art and considers Butell as his biggest influence.
Watch more from Allen Keller’s Great Model Railroads series from the Model Railroad Academy archives.
Who has influenced your work? Well, the early modelers did, Cliff Brandt certainly and John Allen, who I knew, and he was marvelous and Lee Claus at Bell Lee Car Works, and Hugh Butell who may be a person you don't know about. He was a very early pioneer. And I, fortunately, obtained his models after a 13 year search. Mm hmm Advertising in magazines and so forth a fellow up in Idaho phoned me to say 'I think the models you're looking for are in town'. So he gave me the fellow's address along with them. And I phoned him he said 'you can have them if you come up and get them'. So Irene and I hoped in our van and zipped up and I came back with all of Hugh Butell's last models, including the structures and the backdrops for the layout. And I love to share these with you because they're almost pieces of folk art to me. And he probably had the maximum influence on my modeling for atmosphere Mm hmm My freelancing, and as I say getting on and building it no matter what. Just get on and do it.
Share tips, start a discussion or ask other students a question. If you have a question for the instructor, please click here.
Already a member? Sign in
No Responses to “Influential Modelers with Bob Brown”