Don: I could not agree with you more. I have been enjoying reading Brooks' book for several weeks now, and each time I pick it up, I get a new insight into my own model railroad. You said it best: "the thinking man's guide to model railroading".
Sam Powell has prepared a review of the book for an upcoming issue of the Dispatch, and I believe Sam says that this book belongs not only in the library of every S scale modeler, but any modeler who is constructing or contemplating their own model railroad. The great thing about this book is seeing the results of the decision making process that Brooks obviously goes through for each modeling project -- what aspects of each structure/piece of rolling stock/and layout scene convey the essence of that model. Not getting tied up with endless details and dimensions is the beauty of Brooks' approach. Which is NOT to say that Brooks' modeling is in any way careless or forced. Rather, unlike many modelers (myself included), he has found the "sweet spot" between capturing the essence of each model and getting his layout to a point of near completion. A great read for any layout builder in any scale. Dan Vandermause Ellicott City, MD --- In [email protected], Don Thompson <don@...> wrote: > > Last week on a flight to Charlotte, I had a chance to read Brook's latest > book, Modeling the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad. Of course I would be > interested in reading any book about an S Scale layout, and Brooks has done a > ton lately promoting our scale in the model railroad press. The book is a > first class presentation printed on heavy glossy stock chock full of gorgeous > prototype and layout color photos. At first I thought I would have limited > interest in this publication as the West Virginia mountains of the BC&G is on > the opposite end of the spectrum of my layout interest, The Newark and New > York RR which runs through the downtown of the largest city in NJ. . The > book is mostly about the BC&G and Brooks approach to modeling his favorite > railroad with an extensive coverage of the history of the prototype and of > his modeling of the prototype. But as I started to read it over, it did not > take too long to realize that although the underlying thread is about > modeling the BC&G, in reality it is about modeling any prototype railroad. > As I read on, I discovered that Brook's book is the thinking man's guide to > model railroading. His analysis of all aspects of building a layout is very > easy to understand and follow. The book covers the philosophy of layout > building, designing, modeling tips, operations and a section on layout > photography. This book is not a step-by-step guide, but more of an overview > with specific suggestions and recommendations. The interesting thing is that > Brooks can discuss a modeling concept and weave that thought into how he used > it for the BC&G. But, these concepts would work for any prototype. I think > that this book belongs in all S Scaler's library. First as a reference, > second for your friends or visitors who need to see one of S Scales premier > layout. For additional information or to get your copy of the best book on > building an S Scale layout go to: > > http://www.buffalocreekandgauley.com/ > > Don Thompson > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
