Railfan

Steve, the Railfan

My grandfather was Supervisor of Passenger Service for the Kansas City Southern Railway and worked for that company for 50 years. I received my first Lionel train when I was 18 months old. So Railways have always been in my blood.

The Lionel became a permanent part of my bedroom for most of my childhood. Then in Junior High I became unhappy with the lack of detail and that center rail, so I swapped the Lionel for HO. Dad allowed me to take over the attic so I constructed a room 32'X10' with 8" ceiling in the center sloping to 4' at the walls. An open frame gave space for a double main dog bone layout. All rail was hand spiked and switches home made. However, before the scenic time arrived, it was time for college and marriage and work overseas, so the layout went into boxes and was not seen again.

In recent years the HO bug has revived and I have centered on the ATSF in the 1950-55 era. I have started a 30"X6' domino as a beginning as there is no room for a major layout. I am also rebuilding and detailing brass locos and enjoying the art of airbrushing. The folks at the San Jacinto Model Railway Club have become good friends.

To help other railfans, I have joined with a group of railfans from around the world (literally) to prepare an Index of Published ATSF Photos.

You can find some of my photos on the net of the KCS and of Texas Roundhouses. I have also contributed photos to the Paired Rail publications The Santa Fe Waycar and The Santa Fe Diesel, vol. 2. Atlas is using one of my photos in their advertising for the HO DASH 8-40B.

When there is time I be found around the tracks with my video camera. Railroads form a great diversion from my work and have brought me numerous friends.