Copyright 2020 Nicholas Kalis
Book Review
Realistic Layouts
C.J. Riley
Kalmbach Publishers
Softcover
Color Photographs
95 pages
Copyright 2020
ISBN 978-1-62700-771-9
$ 21.99
$ 21.99
Great profusely illustrated book. Buy it! Though you will have to hold your nose on one score (if you are an American). Say it isn't so --- even the good old boys at Kalmbach are having books printed in China - Gosh! Golly Gee! Despite their outward appearances, seems they are a bit of a savvy bunch there in Waukesha. How about keeping some jobs here in the US? One of my blog readers took a bit of offense at my above admonition. Sorry, but keeping jobs here in the United States (without resorting to naked protectionism) should be a moral imperative for our leaders (in both the private and public sectors).
That said, this book is a breath of fresh air from Kalmbach. Gone are Kalmbach's "golly gees" and "goshs" that seem to permeate too much of what emanates from their editor's pen or should I say "keyboard". CJ Riley tells it like it is - he encourages us to model the truth even if some of it is disheartening - such as Jim Crow (racially-segregated) railroad facilities found in the Southern states. Layout Design SIG-founder Doug Gurin has sought over the years to make similar points - glad Riley has brought them to a wider audience. Riley is also not afraid to describe directly how some model railroaders get things wrong.
We need more CJ Rileys in the model railroad publishing world. Come to think of it, we have the real thing - CJ himself. I hope to read more from his pen.
Here is a list of chapters:
1. Planning a realistic model railroad
2. Secrets to life-like backdrops
3. Planning realistic scenery
3. Mirrors for illusion
4. Installing accurate bridges
6. Modeling structures
7. Weathering
8. The importance of color
9. Names and signs
10. Setting the mood.
That said, this book is a breath of fresh air from Kalmbach. Gone are Kalmbach's "golly gees" and "goshs" that seem to permeate too much of what emanates from their editor's pen or should I say "keyboard". CJ Riley tells it like it is - he encourages us to model the truth even if some of it is disheartening - such as Jim Crow (racially-segregated) railroad facilities found in the Southern states. Layout Design SIG-founder Doug Gurin has sought over the years to make similar points - glad Riley has brought them to a wider audience. Riley is also not afraid to describe directly how some model railroaders get things wrong.
We need more CJ Rileys in the model railroad publishing world. Come to think of it, we have the real thing - CJ himself. I hope to read more from his pen.
Here is a list of chapters:
1. Planning a realistic model railroad
2. Secrets to life-like backdrops
3. Planning realistic scenery
3. Mirrors for illusion
4. Installing accurate bridges
6. Modeling structures
7. Weathering
8. The importance of color
9. Names and signs
10. Setting the mood.
This book is no rehash of topics covered elsewhere. Its reader will find topics here, that are not covered in other model railroad publications.
If I could quarrel about one matter in this book, it is his devoting an entire chapter to using mirrors as scenery. It is not a new technique - although that by itself does not disqualify it as deserving of an entire chapter of coverage. I have never been taken with mirrors as scenery. Perhaps it is that I just don't like the idea of glass around a layout? Too easy to break or smudge?
I enjoyed the photos of Dr. Nicholas Muff's layout room - I was fortunate enough to visit the good doctor's layout while attending Seattle's 2004 NMRA national convention. Muff's photos brought back good memories. Muff, a prolific author, sets the bar high for finishing one's layout room. In his case, he had a 1:1 diesel cab installed in his basement before his home was built.
About The Author
CJ Riley is Master Model Railroader number 97. The Master Model Railroader is an award from the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) to recognize excellence in the hobby. He has written numerous articles about his HO Kanawha & Western Allegheny. To see videos of his Kanawha & Western Allegheny as introduced by Allen Keller, one may visit Model Railroad Academy at www.modelrailroadacademy.com. For many years Riley had served as a trustee of the National Model Railroad Association.
If I could quarrel about one matter in this book, it is his devoting an entire chapter to using mirrors as scenery. It is not a new technique - although that by itself does not disqualify it as deserving of an entire chapter of coverage. I have never been taken with mirrors as scenery. Perhaps it is that I just don't like the idea of glass around a layout? Too easy to break or smudge?
I enjoyed the photos of Dr. Nicholas Muff's layout room - I was fortunate enough to visit the good doctor's layout while attending Seattle's 2004 NMRA national convention. Muff's photos brought back good memories. Muff, a prolific author, sets the bar high for finishing one's layout room. In his case, he had a 1:1 diesel cab installed in his basement before his home was built.
About The Author
CJ Riley is Master Model Railroader number 97. The Master Model Railroader is an award from the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) to recognize excellence in the hobby. He has written numerous articles about his HO Kanawha & Western Allegheny. To see videos of his Kanawha & Western Allegheny as introduced by Allen Keller, one may visit Model Railroad Academy at www.modelrailroadacademy.com. For many years Riley had served as a trustee of the National Model Railroad Association.
Revised December 4 2020
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