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Today would have been John Allen's 100th birthday. Here's to one of the most influential Model Railroader ever. His legendary Gorre & Daphetid lives on in memory and inspires many.
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Arthur -
Hi Arthur. It's funny how at one time people thought of him as a quack. And here he turned out to be a world known modeler and inspirer. I truly thought of him a an outstanding modeler for his time, and practices still used today.
Louis L&R Western Railroad
Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast -
Yes, I believe John Allen had a profound affect on my appetite for Model Railroading. I especially was impressed that he scratch built so many structures and rolling stock. I was especially impressed with the Engine House and the Swift Reefer from and old Paul Larson article. I said to myself "I can do that". Well, it was many years later, but I did build a very nice Swift Reefer. I also plan on building the Engine House, in two forms. I have the John Allen Special FSM kit, but I also want to scratch build one as well.
Regards, Vic B.
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I remember when I first saw photo's of John's breath taking layout in the early 70's in the Magazines.I was in grade 4 or 5 and was blown away by the level of realism,and I am still inspired by it even today!
Truly one of the greatest model railways that ever existed!
Greg Shinnie
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Louis- I've never read or heard anyone refer to John as a quack. Eccentric maybe. What or who are you referring to?quote:
Originally posted by desertdrover
Hi Arthur. It's funny how at one time people thought of him as a quack...
-Dave-DaveComment
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Maybe a figure of speech?quote:
Originally posted by Thorn Creek and Western
Louis- I've never read or heard anyone refer to John as a quack. Eccentric maybe. What or who are you referring to?quote:
Originally posted by desertdrover
Hi Arthur. It's funny how at one time people thought of him as a quack...
-Dave
I honor John with a Gorre and Dephetid train on my layout. 2-8-0, caboose and several of the old MDC G&D cars.
Karl Scribner-Curmudgeon
Cedar Swamp
SW of Manistique, MI
Avatar image by Savannah Lyn Burgess 7-15-2022Comment
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I remember waiting for the latest issue of MR just to see the Varney ad on the back cover featuring the G&D.
I've always loved his work.
George
"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect." Captain A. G. LamplughComment
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Brings back a bunch of memories ... somewhere around 1975-76, my French teacher sent me to the vice principal's office for being a bit of a "comedian" in class ... (I believe the French term for comedian is "Jerry Lewis" but I may have missed that lesson) [}quote:
Originally posted by Ensign
I remember when I first saw photo's of John's breath taking layout in the early 70's in the Magazines.I was in grade 4 or 5 and was blown away by the level of realism,and I am still inspired by it even today!
Truly one of the greatest model railways that ever existed! Greg Shinnie
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The vp was busy with other troublesome kids and sent me to the school library to wait ...
and there it was ... a copy of Model Railroader with John Allen's enginehouse scene on the cover. I've been hooked on les chemins de fer ever since ... not to mention pains au chocolat, which is a whole 'nother story ...
And, happily, John Allen was not only a wonderful artist and modeler, but a bit of a "Jerry Lewis" with those dinosaur scenes and such. Great stuff.
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When you look at what he had to work with. Amazing stuff came out of his basement.
He was one of the best.
Jerry
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." A. LincolnComment
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A trail blazer and a inspiration to many for sure.
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