01-01-2014, 03:43 AM
Reading through this thread, and some of the discussion and points made, here is my , very own , personal view.
I don't consider any modeler a celebrity. Some are just very skilled modelers, with strengths and weaknesses, they're human.
Lance Mindheim has been mentioned here a couple of times, I think he's misunderstood by some. His blogs are about his own personal modeling (and life) experiences, he takes you along for a ride in his world, and currently the focus is that of the theme of his current layout(s), modern branchline railroads in the Miami area.
He shows us how things operate there, and if that doesn't include signals, no problem to me, it's how things are done in that area. I'm sure if he modeled another railroad / area, where signals etc are abundant, they would be included and he'd operate accordingly.
I also like how he shows how he builds things, using styrene, cardboard, photo laminating etc etc. It is not the gospel truth, and I don't read it as such. I read it as one of many ways things can be done. It seems entirely suitable for the area he's currently modeling and writing about.
I've picked up a few useful things from him, and while my own modeling skills are not (yet) of the same standards, I've learned a few things, and hope to improve my own skills through that.
Similarly, I've also learned a lot from what members of Big Blue are posting on this website. Some of the work is outstanding, and sometimes it's a simple technique on how to paint something, or actuate a turnout, or wire something up, that I find useful.
This is my personal approach to modeling, and whatever Rod Steward, Lance Mindheim,George Selios, Tony Koester,Mike Cofalone, Joe Fugate or any other 'well known' modelers are up to, I learn something from all of them, just as I do from the less well known, members here, friends at the local club etc.
In the words of a famous Martial Artist and actor, ' Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own : ( by Bruce Lee) ' , it's an approach that works for me.
Happy New Year!
Koos
I don't consider any modeler a celebrity. Some are just very skilled modelers, with strengths and weaknesses, they're human.
Lance Mindheim has been mentioned here a couple of times, I think he's misunderstood by some. His blogs are about his own personal modeling (and life) experiences, he takes you along for a ride in his world, and currently the focus is that of the theme of his current layout(s), modern branchline railroads in the Miami area.
He shows us how things operate there, and if that doesn't include signals, no problem to me, it's how things are done in that area. I'm sure if he modeled another railroad / area, where signals etc are abundant, they would be included and he'd operate accordingly.
I also like how he shows how he builds things, using styrene, cardboard, photo laminating etc etc. It is not the gospel truth, and I don't read it as such. I read it as one of many ways things can be done. It seems entirely suitable for the area he's currently modeling and writing about.
I've picked up a few useful things from him, and while my own modeling skills are not (yet) of the same standards, I've learned a few things, and hope to improve my own skills through that.
Similarly, I've also learned a lot from what members of Big Blue are posting on this website. Some of the work is outstanding, and sometimes it's a simple technique on how to paint something, or actuate a turnout, or wire something up, that I find useful.
This is my personal approach to modeling, and whatever Rod Steward, Lance Mindheim,George Selios, Tony Koester,Mike Cofalone, Joe Fugate or any other 'well known' modelers are up to, I learn something from all of them, just as I do from the less well known, members here, friends at the local club etc.
In the words of a famous Martial Artist and actor, ' Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own : ( by Bruce Lee) ' , it's an approach that works for me.
Happy New Year!
Koos
Be sure to visit my model railroad blog at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.namrr.blogspot.com">http://www.namrr.blogspot.com</a><!-- m -->