The Narrow Way: An Exploration of the G Whiz Gang

SUMMER 2011
Volume 1 • Issue 10
www.trainfest.com
The Narrow Way:
An Exploration of the
G Whiz Gang
Names can be deceiving. A peanut is
neither a pea, nor a nut. A parkway is a
place where you drive your car, while a
driveway is actually where you park your
car. Trainfest regulars, The G Whiz Gang,
may suggest with their name that they run
G scale trains. However, in talking to G Whiz
member Fred Holzapfel, they generally do
not run G scale. They do, however, have a
great deal of stories, and they continue to
have a great deal of fun.
What’s Inside
Look Back Trainfest Remembered
PG 2
The G Whiz Gang actually models narrow
gauge railways or Fn3 scale, which look
similar to G scale, or G gauge, to the
average consumer. The club actually came
up with the name before the National Model
Railroad Association began to define all of
the scales, but because the club had gotten
accustomed to the name, they decided to
stick with it.
Fred got his model railroading start back
in 1955, when he received a Lionel® train
see G Whiz Gang, page 11
From the Caboose
PG 3
Modeling The Hard Way:
A “How-To” Guide On
Scratch Building Model Trains
PG 5
Badger Air-Brush
An Entrepreneurship
Success Story
PG 6
Fred Holzapfel’s
Recomended Products
PG 11
Memories Meant
to be Shared
PG 13
This G Whiz Gang section
belongs to Ted Brownell and
depicts a 1930’s Northern
Minnesota logging operation.
They “Borrowed” a “Goose”
from a Colorado Narrow Gauge.
The pond was painted and then
covered with a “pour” of acrylic
water effect.
We’ve asked Trainfest Committee and Wisconsin
Southeastern (WISE) Division Board Members of the
NMRA to answer “Remember When Trainfest…?”
We share their memories throughout 2011.
TRAINFEST
REMEMBERED
By Ed Padgett
Setup was made easier when one of my “day job” team
members offered to plot our show layout drawings during
his off hours. John Tews, Gary Children and Randy
Fabricus took detailed hall measurements of the buildings
and John Tews created scale drawings with a cad drawing
program. Now we had a formalized plan of where tables
were going and where to place all the necessities we would
order. Having an accurate layout drawing greatly expedited
setup – and John creates new drawings as the show layout
changes every year.
The one down side of our setup operation was that none
of us were getting any younger. The tables were heavy,
and came stacked seven feet high on carts. Plus, we had
narrow aisles to navigate. That problem was solved when
we moved to the new building. The new building gave us
more space to permit wider aisles and they (the exposition
service) began to place the tables and chairs from the
layout drawings. The volunteers could then focus on
helping the presenters get settled…and save our
backs too!
We moved to Wisconsin in the summer
of 1972, and in November 1972 we
went to the “train show” at State
Fair Park. Little did I know it was the
beginning of my involvement with
Trainfest. The train
One of the improvements
show was sponsored by the NMRA,
and I had been a member of the NMRA
that I’ve really liked is the
“off and on” since the 50s. So, when
push to reach a younger
they asked me if I was available to help
audience… It is such a
sell and take tickets at the show, I was
delight to see all of the
happy to help.
young families with children
that attend
During those days, we sold and
collected Trainfest tickets. Often, I would
go in for my two-hour shift with my grandson, who was
then 7 or 8 at the time. He had some trouble determining
who qualified as a senior citizen, which was an important
item for him to understand, since senior citizens paid a
lower admission fee. He managed to figure it out, and when
Justin and I were reconciling our collections, I asked him
to count the twenties. He said, “Grandpa, I can only count
by tens,” so I told him to just count by tens, and then we
would multiply by 2 when he was done. He smiled and
said, “I can do that.” Our then treasurer, Bob Sherman, was
there at the time. He looked over, laughed and said, “I don’t
think we have ever had a ticket seller this young”. By the
way, our cash was on the mark, and that young man is now
an Electrical Engineer.
It wasn’t long before I found myself getting more active
with Trainfest. In fact, about 20 years ago, I started
working with a great group of volunteers doing setup on
the Friday before the event. Once the tables and chairs
were delivered, I, along with many other volunteers, would
move and setup all of the tables. During my first year of
marshaling crews, we finished setting up in record time
-- around 1pm! With some planning improvements and
detailed drawings over the following couple of years, we
were able to get over hundreds of tables set by 9am.
Today, the wider main aisles, sit-down
areas, Friday evening meal for the hard
working people that staff the show, and
a clear set of assigned responsibilities
for everyone involved, have all made
for a smooth, enjoyable show. One of
the improvements that I’ve really liked is
Trainfest.
the push to reach a younger audience,
especially since, as I said, many of us
who have been involved are not getting any younger. It is
such a delight to see all of the young families with children
that attend Trainfest. All of us in the recognizable yellow
Trainfest shirts are always happy to help with directions,
or help them find a missing member of their group, or just
offer some stories and advice about trains. Be sure to
come and see us some time!
Ed Padgett has served in multiple capacities on the Trainfest
Committee, including stepping in to do the advertising for
Trainfest several years ago. Just like many of the other
volunteers, he pitches in when and where needed.
Share your Trainfest memory with us,
email editor@trainfest.com
Don’t forget to visit
trainfest.com for up-tothe-moment information
on Trainfest 2011
From the
Caboose
Circulation of Trainfest EXPRESS is
topping 10,000 readers strong and
has worldwide readership. Wow! The
new look and editorial content focus
introduced earlier this year is clearly being
embraced. Thank you for your support
and a special thank you to the many
readers who have offered suggestions
since its introduction.
We’ve been listening. It’s one of the
reasons why we are making a change
on the number of EXPRESS issues we
will be publishing. You can now expect
the Show Wrap-up in January, followed
by regular issues in March, June, and
October. Then in November, we’ll publish
the Show Preview issue.
Periodically, Trainfest will send you a
“preview” email blast with information on
the upcoming issues’ features and howto articles – plus we’ll include any up-tothe-minute Trainfest show information to
keep you infomed.
As of today, more than 40 manufacturers,
35 hobby dealers, 40 railroad layouts
and 10 historical groups, have signed
up to participate in Trainfest 2011 –
the 40th Anniversary. The numbers
include several new manufacturers and
hobby dealers who have been added to
increase the variety of products available
to our visitors.
What I am hearing a lot these days
has me very excited. A number of
layout exhibitors are going “all out” in
preparing for Trainfest 2011 by adding
to their model railroad exhibits with new
equipment, scenery and details. Plus,
over 20 hobbyists have enthusiastically
committed to sharing their modeling
talents, ideas and techniques. (Watch for
a list of clinics and demonstrations in the
October issue of Trainfest EXPRESS.)
TRAINFEST is finalizing lodging
accommodations with a number of local
hotels and motels. The list will be found
at www.Trainfest.com.
Remember, we continue to look for your
input on articles you would like to see in
the EXPRESS. Send your suggestions
to us at john@trainfest.com or editor@
trainfest.com.
In the spirit of Model railroading,
Clear Signals Always,
John
John H. Tews, MMR
Executive Director – Trainfest
Trainfest EXPRESS is sent free via
email as a PDF and can be seen on the
Trainfest website in an interactive, online
paging-style format. You can also print
out the pages or articles you desire.
Trainfest
Sponsoring Publisher
Wisconsin Southeastern
(WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA
Publisher
John H. Tews, MMR
john@trainfest.com
Contributing Editors
Jody Delie
Josh Hoppert
Angela Podewils
Bonnie Topczewski
Newsletter Design,
Web & Advertising
Mercury Communication
Partners, LLC
262-782-4637
www.mercuryww.com
Photos Contributed by
Jeremy Topczewski
Ted Jansen
Fred Holzapfel
Ed Padgett
Badger Air-Brush
Ruth Johnson
TRAINFEST, Trainfest EXPRESS
and the Trainfest LOGO are
registered trademarks of the
Wisconsin Southeastern (WISE)
Division, Inc., NMRA.
www.trainfest.com
Trainfest Committee
John H. Tews, MMR
Executive Director,
E-mail: john@trainfest.com
Richard Cecil
Asst. to the Director
Cedor Aronow
Security
Scott Porinsky
Computer Services
Gary Kamin
Trainfest Treasurer
Terry Thompson
HMA-MRD Advisor
Ed Padgett
Volunteer Coordinator
Mercury Communications
Advertising Agency
Kurt Wamser
Floor Director
Trainfest is possible due to the dedication
and hard work of our volunteers and board
members. If you would like to volunteer for
America’s largest operating model railroad show,
contact us via email: volunteer@trainfest.
com. Trainfest is sponsored by the Wisconsin
3
Southeastern (WISE) Division, Inc., NMRA
Linda Sukup
Ticket Coordinator
Modeling The Hard
Way: A “How-To”
Guide On Scratch
Building Model
Trains
By Josh Hoppert
Milwaukee model railroad enthusiast Ted Jansen is not a
member of any local clubs, yet he has established himself
within the modeling community.
Having made his foray into the hobby some 50 years ago,
Ted’s reputation as an area expert on scratch building is
well known by those involved in modeling. Many have seen
his 100-foot HO scale Milwaukee Road railroad layout, and
some have even talked him into building pieces for them.
Ted scratch builds trains for the fun of it, not for the
attention, and he encourages anyone with an interest in
model trains to try it, as well.
It all started for Ted when he was about 15 years of age.
He had a desire to build the Milwaukee Road depot, so in
an effort to obtain original drawings of the depot, he sent
a letter to Milwaukee Road. Eventually, he received the
drawings in a mailed tube from the railroad, and was able
to begin his now massive creation.
At the time Ted wanted to begin modeling The Milwaukee
Road, most model train manufacturers didn’t have product
that suited him as they were reluctant to mass produce
and distribute cars so unique to one area. The lack of
widespread demand for these cars did not discourage
Ted’s desire to build them. Instead, it motivated him.
They say necessity is the mother of invention; this was
certainly the case as Ted began his modeling hobby. The
lack of distribution of Milwaukee Road cars led him to start
scratch building them all on his own. In this case, a need
for Milwaukee Road train cars spawned a unique and
amazing lifetime undertaking for this dedicated hobbyist.
Ted demonstrates the patience and detail necessary for
scratch building as he works on the underbody of a car.
Ted’s layout showcases his mastery of scratch building,
and the treasure hard work and time can accumulate.
These days, Ted can generally complete one car over the
span of a weekend. While in earlier days, it might have
taken him a couple of weekends, practice makes for faster
work and shorter overall work time. However, he still recalls
his early projects, and still employs the ever-important
preparatory steps that every modeler, new or experienced,
should follow.
Ted graciously shared his process in great detail, taking into
account that many reading this article may be preparing to
do their very first scratch build. Whether you are building
your first train car or your fifty-first, the information that Ted
has shared will provide you with some valuable guidelines
and tips to consider as you move forward.
see Scratch Building, page 7
5
Tr
n f es
aTiING 40 YEAR t
®
• C ELEBR
S
A
40
OD
DI
OF
M
NG
1972 - 2011
EL R AILRO
A
Hobby Shops
are Your Ticket
Resource
All three ticket types (Early
Bird, Advance and Friday
Product Showcase) are
available at the following
local hobby shops.
Greenfield News
and Hobbies
Greenfield, WI
(414) 281-1800
South Side Trains
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 482-1566
Jetco Hiawatha
Hobbies
Waukesha, WI
(262) 544-4131
Walthers
(Terminal Hobbies)
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 461-1050
Sommerfeld’s Trains
Butler, WI
(262) 783-7797
Madison
Hobby Stop
Madison, WI
(608) 829-3820
Engine House
Services LLC
Green Bay, WI
(920) 490-4839
J & D’s Whistle Stop
Sheboygan, WI
(920) 458-7246
Lombard Hobbies
Lombard, IL
(630) 620-1084
Park Lane Hobbies
Dyer, Indiana
(219) 322-1123
6
Badger Air-Brush.
An Entrepreneurship
Success Story.
In 1963, the owner of Walter Precision
Company in Chicago, bankrolled
another small company that would
ultimately expand into an international
success. The owner’s name was August
Schlotfeldt. The company he funded
at the request of his son, was, and is,
Badger Air-Brush Co., the global leader
in the manufacture of airbrushes.
August Schlotfeldt’s company made
turned parts, which were sold to a
number of notable companies, including
a handful of airbrush manufacturers.
Schlotfeldt’s son, Walter Schlotfeldt, was
intrigued by the product these airbrush
companies produced.
In the very early 1960s, Walter took
it upon himself to do some work with
airbrush companies. He developed
Teflon seals and freestanding color cups
for airbrushes, and even pitched his
ideas to the Thayer & Chandler airbrush
company. Nobody chose to act on his
ideas, and he did not wish to affect
business for Walter Precision, so he
simply let the ideas go.
Then, about one year later, August
Jeschke left Thayer & Chandler and
approached Walter about his ideas.
By 1963, the two had reached an
agreement to begin Badger Air-Brush.
Walter’s father, August, would provide
the funding, Walter would handle all
design and production work, and
Mr. Jeschke would handle sales. The
company went into business officially in
1964, and has grown rapidly ever since.
In fact, they’ve grown so large that they
were able to acquire Thayer & Chandler
in the early 1990s.
Rising to prominence in the industry has
not always been easy, and challenges
continue to push Badger to make
adjustments.
Ken Schlotfeldt, son of Walter Schlotfeldt
and current President, states that one
of the biggest challenges is redesigning
products to better serve artists in
rapidly changing airbrush applications
and media. At the same time, it is very
challenging to educate new, aspiring
airbrush artists on what they should
look for in terms of quality, service, and
overall cost when it comes to purchasing
a new airbrush.
see Badger Air-Brush, page 15
SCRATCH BUILDING continued from page 5
First things first: The most important step in scratch
building anything is research. Anyone looking to scratch
build a particular car, or depot, or anything for that matter,
should begin by collecting all the pieces that might help
make the process easier.
You may want to start looking online for pictures, details,
configurations on down to the paint scheme. All this
information with help determine the products and parts
you’ll need for success. You don’t want to get halfway
done and find out you have two sides that are the same.
If at all possible, you’ll want to secure a drawing, which will
be key to replicating the details. The local library can be
a valuable resource and some drawings may be available
online or through the railroad. And one more tip, start
collecting drawings now and build up a library of things you
might want to build later.
You may want to start
looking online for pictures,
details, configurations on
down to the paint scheme.
All this information
with help determine the
products and parts you’ll
need for success.
Once you know exactly what you want to build, you’ll need
to develop a plan detailing what supplies you will require to
start construction.
Tools, parts, paint, sheets of plastic, lead weights, and
many other supplies go into the construction of a model
train, so it’s a good idea to keep modeler catalogs on-hand.
Ted recommends using styrene plastic, which comes in
sheets and shapes, and scrap wood as materials that
are nice to work with. He also recommends shopping at
William K. Walthers in Milwaukee, as they provide him with
excellent products and service. Regardless of where you go
for supplies, he feels building a relationship with the folks at
the shop may benefit anyone’s future modeling needs.
see Scratch Building, page 9
7
SCRATCH BUILDING continued from page 7
The actual building of a train car is broken into 4 steps by Ted.
1
The first of these steps is to build the train
car sides. This can be a very intricate and
complicated part of the process, so Ted finds it
is best to do it first. He recommends using Brass
Car Sides, which are already cut to size with the
windows cut out, as well. Otherwise, Ted cuts the
sides out of styrene plastic.
Once the sides are the proper size, you should
then cut the windows. Be sure to get the outlines
properly laid out before cutting the windows, but
once you have them in the proper place, use a
punch to start making the holes for windows.
There are square punches out there that make
cutting windows easier. However, many people
simply punch round holes with a paper punch,
and then use an Exacto knife to cut the proper
window frames. Either way works just fine.
Once the sides are done, do the same process
for the floor of the train car. Then, you can start
priming and painting the pieces. As is the case
with many processes, it can make things easier if
you complete one process for many pieces at one
time. In this case, for example, it can make for less
work and less waste if you prime all of the pieces
at one time, and then later top coat paint all of the
pieces at one time.
2
Next, it’s time to tackle the underbody of the
car. Again, this is where having pictures and
information about your car will really become
useful. You should figure out every detail of the
underbody, including where the bolsters will go,
and then fasten everything into place.
3
The third step is to create the roof of the
train car. This step tends to be a little simpler
than the others, but still requires every bit of your
attention. Cut the roof to the desired length, and
also any necessary vents and hatches. He finds,
on occasion, that sanding the roof and/or its parts
can give them a more realistic look.
4
Finally, it’s time to finish the pieces. Cut any
doors you may need, along with the end
pieces. Ted generally uses plastic for these pieces,
as it is easier to cut and work with. One important
item of this step is to remember the weights.
see Scratch Building, page 10
9
SCRATCH BUILDING continued from page 9
Small lead weights should be attached to the floor of the
car with an adhesive, so that the car won’t bounce off of the
track. Once these final pieces are finished, you can put the
sides, ends, and roof together. Your train car is now finished.
“Are you nuts?” is a question that Ted has become
accustomed to hearing. Scratch building is not an easy
task, but for the hobbyist looking for a train car with exact
specifications, it’s the only way to go.
Ted’s near lifelong devotion to the hobby has resulted
in hours and hours of practice that have caused him to
progress as a scratch builder, and have also brought
him the praise and respect of his peers. However, his
philosophies of doing homework before every build, and
maintaining a good relationship with a local supplier are
helpful tips that, if followed properly, will allow even the
newest beginner to thrive. So, Ted invites all to remember
these tips and his process, and start scratch building your
own cars today.
10
G WHIZ GANG continued from cover
Fred Holzapfel’s
Recommended Products
Every job has the proper tool, or set of tools. Fred
Holzapfel has done about every job imaginable
in the model train hobby, and he has some great
recommendations for what he believes any serious
modeler should keep on-hand. These are the items
he recommends.
The G Whiz Gang comes together for good times,
good stories and to exhibit their layout. Left to Right:
Fred Holzapfel, Mark Wilson, Keith Koch, Ray Gulden,
“Corky” Whitlock, Guy Halvorson, Lowell Wood, Mike
Fox, Jim Perske and Ted Brownell.
Proper literature can save a modeler a lot of time
and energy. Instructional magazines, such as the
Narrow Gauge Gazette, highlight all the latest and
greatest tips and techniques and can really make
the work much easier. Catalogs, such as MicroMark,
allow modelers to find exactly what they need,
without having to search multiple hobby shops.
set as a Christmas gift at the ripe ‘ol age of five. His childhood
layout grew and grew, just as his enthusiasm for the hobby did.
Over time, he developed friendships with other model train
hobbyists, and they eventually formed their own model train
club, known as the “G Whiz Gang”. As the Gang stands
today, there are eight members actively involved with the
club. There is a good amount of physical distance between
some of the members. In fact, some members travel up to
120 miles when the group gathers together to do largescale work. But, their passion for the hobby, and their 3040 years of friendship makes all the travel worthwhile.
The G Whiz Gang has a traveling railroad they take to
shows that measures 16’ by 40’ and is a definite crowd
pleaser with 14 sections joined together to make the whole.
Even though the sections depict different geographic
regions and are divided among the members, their desire
was to build and exhibit a railroad that felt cohesive.
The Gang wanted to have a continuous flow and visual
feel for the railroad so they had one person paint the entire
scenery backdrop at one time, focused on portraying the
region in that section.
The railroad has a specific setting, both in time and place,
pre-World War II, with the generally accepted endpoint
being 1939. The G Whiz Gang members consider
themselves detailed craftsman, which is what drives them
to kitbash, altering pre-purchased kits, or scratch build all
of their structures. They have a distinct vision for how the
railroad should be and they build to achieve that vision.
see G Whiz Gang, page 12
When it comes to tools and other supplies, Fred
insists that everyone should own a few specific
items. For scratch building, Fred believes a good
X-Acto® kit, some motor tools, and Tightbond® glue
are all crucial. A cutting mat from a craft store is
very important to have for any project that requires
a cutting blade.
Fred has found that a metal cookie sheet with
some magnets makes building a jig much easier.
An OptiVisor®, while perhaps not crucial, is
very helpful, as it provides different degrees of
magnification. Last but not least, Fred insists that
every modeler should have a good, comfortable
chair and some good light in the workspace.
A seat at the kitchen table simply will not do for
the long haul.
11
G WHIZ GANG continued from page 11
The G Whiz Gang originally started their railroad featuring
the Midwestern Narrow Gauge, Colorado, and East
Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (also known
as the “Tweetsie” for the sweet “tweet, tweet” sound made
by the high-pitched steam locomotives). Structures on the
railroad include a Midwestern TP gas station, the Tweetsie
Train Station, and an old-fashioned Colorado train depot
and water tank.
Colorado’s terrain has sparked the inspiration behind the
scenery present in the layout. Mountains, wooded areas,
and rolling level areas all blend together as though it was
one continuous scene.
The Gang delivers an experience for those visiting their
railroad. Part of that experience is found in the subtle
and sometimes small additions of animatronic features
placed within the layout. They want to create an element of
surprise for onlookers.
Mark Wilson- Artist in Residence. Mark painted all
the backdrops on the G Whiz Gang layout. Having
one artist provides consistency and continuity for
the entire set of displays.
Want to know what to look for in the G Whiz Gang
layout? Here’s a snippet of the list…
A fisherman with a fishing pole that moves up and down; a
row of beer cans on an assembly line in a brewery; a beer
advertisement where beer appears to pour; a cat that wags
its tail; and a man sharpening an ax, while still another man
chops wood. There’s a simulated fire that appears to be
burning, and watch for lit interiors of various structures on
the layout. These detailed items are not only fun for those
who see the display at Trainfest and other shows, but they
are fun for the G Whiz Gang as they watch visitor faces
light-up.
Another interesting tidbit about this traveling railroad is
that it’s considered sectional, not modular. (Some layouts,
particularly those built in N Scale, are modular and built
to a pre-determined set of standards allowing “modules”
to be interchanged within the layout or joined with other
layouts that adhere to the same standards. With a sectional
railroad, you still maintain the portability, but you can’t
interchange with other railroads. A hobby group sets the
standard or spec to build to.)
Continued on next page
12
The amount of fine detail and realism that goes into a
railroad of this magnitude represents a significant amount
of time invested. Fred estimates that he alone spends
as much as 300 to 500 hours building, maintaining,
researching, transporting, and displaying model trains in
a busy year. To him, there is a huge difference in personal
satisfaction between simply constructing a Plywood Pacific,
which is a very basic railroad on a plain sheet of plywood,
and creating something that one can really be proud to
exhibit at a show. That’s why so many things on the layout,
including the hand-laid track, are customized.
The G Whiz Gang attends anywhere between two and four
shows in any given year. It’s felt, two shows is ideal and
not too much work. Four might sometimes be pushing the
limits for some of the members. Trainfest, however, is one
event that the Gang doesn’t miss.
The G Whiz Gang are craftsmen. They don’t settle for
pieces that don’t exactly suit their needs, and they generally
don’t like to use things right out of the box.
A favorite award amongst the members of G Whiz Gang
came in 2002, when they were awarded the Trainfest “Best
of Show”.
A treat for show visitors is, aside from the occasional
emergency, they tend not to do too much maintenance
to the layout at a show. The tracks only get cleaned right
before a show, and the dust the layout collects is just extra
character and ambiance in the eyes of the G Whiz Gang.
The railroad’s control is a simple DC power pack, where
they just turn a dial to make it run. Nothing too tricky, just
solid craftsmanship.
The awards, though, are not why the G Whiz Gang devotes
so much time and energy to their projects. The comments
from visitors is reward enough for them. Though, Fred
shares that “creating something old with new materials
while using fine-detailed hand work” is his favorite aspect of
the hobby.
Since 2002, the G Whiz Gang has been a feature at
Trainfest every year. Fred feels that it’s simply a phenomenal
show. He says, “The attendance level is wonderful, and
you never really have downtime. You are just talking and
enjoying people the whole time.”
see G Whiz Gang, page 14
Memories Meant to be Shared
Fred Holzapfel’s experiences with model trains are certainly
both numerous and colorful. When one spends that much
time around model trains, it comes with the territory.
One particularly satisfying moment happened at a very
recent Trainfest. The G Whiz Gang takes a seriously fun
approach to allowing kids the ability to operate the trains on
their railroad. In fact, once they’ve “operated” the railroad,
kids receive their very own “Junior Engineer” certificate
allowing them to “run the trains” for life.
One Trainfest day, Fred was manning the railroad when a
young father walked up with his 3-year-old son. He simply
says to Fred, “I’d like to teach my son how to run the
trains”, and in the very next breath the young father pulls
from his pocket his own Junior Engineer certificate and
hands it to Fred.
The young father had obtained his certificate nearly
ten years earlier, and was now returning, as a certified
“engineer” to teach his son how to operate the train. Fred
recalls their faces just beamed. This was truly a special
experience for all and not one Fred will soon forget. Seeing
one generation so excited about passing down the hobby
to the next is really heartwarming.
At the other end of the spectrum, Fred found out you can’t
prepare for everything.
There was a show a few years back when the G Whiz Gang
member responsible for bringing the legs to support the
entire railroad forgot them at home. Instead of letting this
get the better of the group, they stood for a moment and
had a good, hard laugh about it.
Then, they decided to hop in the truck and head to
Home Depot®. They bought some 2x2’s and constructed
temporary emergency legs to literally get their railroad off
the ground. Fred shares this memory as an example of why
he so greatly enjoys being a part of this group. “We laugh
first, problem solve next, and share the memories for years
to come”; to Fred, that’s the best kind of camaraderie.
13
G WHIZ GANG continued from page 13
The chance to work with so many different materials to
make something truly extraordinary is a lot of fun for this
club. The other reason they do it is for the camaraderie. All
Gang members have gained some deep, lasting friendships
through this hobby. In some cases, these friendships
have lasted as long as 40 years. Members keep in touch
with fellow hobbyists from other states, and even other
countries. “The awards are fun, and the satisfaction that
comes from a job well done is great, but the friendships are
what truly matter, and they last a lifetime.”
To those considering getting started in model railroading,
Fred and the Gang have a couple of suggestions.
The first suggestion is that everyone considering this
hobby should read some of the latest magazines regarding
trains and model railroading. These periodicals can be
really helpful in determining whether the hobby is right for
you. Next, Fred recommends that everyone go to shows
like Trainfest and really absorb the atmosphere. Talking to
long-time train hobbyists one-on-one and mixing with those
exhibiting trains can be even more helpful than reading the
magazines. Plus, as you progress in your knowledge of
trains and model railroading, shows like Trainfest are a great
source of the latest information about the hobby. They are a
great source of new friends, as well.
The photo above illustrated a very early stage of
the G Whiz Gang sectional layout. Ted Brownell
(Back) and Fred Holzapfel work on hand laid
track. Each tie was cut on a table saw. They were
individually glued to the sectional units following a
pre-determined track plan. Then code 215 nickel
silver rail from Micro Engineering was spiked to
the ties. Some of the tools used are show: Rail
bender, needle nose pliers, wood stain, various
items for soldering, old 35 mm film cans to hold
spikes, glues, tapes and assorted files.
The G Whiz Gang may not be exactly what their name
suggests, but they are certainly a lively and gifted bunch.
They are overjoyed to be a regular fixture at Trainfest, and the
annual visitors at Trainfest are more than happy to have them.
For Fred, the train set he received when he was five is truly
the gift that keeps on giving. He, like his fellow G Whiz Gang
members, has turned his childhood activity into a lifetime
hobby and a true work of art. He is overjoyed to pass this
hobby along to the younger generations, so that they may
also get the satisfaction members of this club enjoy. It’s a
fantastic hobby, and the G Whiz Gang certainly has some
serious fun with it.
Looking the length of the lay out, all these buildings
are scratch built to fit the scene. The structures are
1:24 scale. Many of the “people” are old Christmas
ornaments.
In about 1997 or 1998, Coca Cola had a line of
ornaments. They turned out to be perfect for use in
large scale. Just after Christmas that year they went on
close out sale. The G-Whiz gang picked up as many as
we could find. They have been repainted with different
colors of clothing and in some cases repositioned to fit
better into a scene.
BADGER AIR-BRUSH continued from page 6
Though Badger Air-Brush is admittedly in the business of
selling airbrushes, they find it’s important to ensure that
those wishing to develop their skills as an artist find the
right product to suit their needs and ensure satisfaction in
their finished airbrush artwork.
Looking to the future, Badger is looking to meet the
challenges of today’s airbrush market while maintaining
a high level of quality which it has sustained for nearly 50
years… in its products, its service, and its support.
The business philosophy is not static as there is no set of
guidelines that results in success. Badger continually looks
to make improvements, in an effort to provide aspiring and
established artists with the tools and assistance they need
in order to be successful.
Badger’s new Renegade Krone airbrush is just one example
of the company’s dedication to improvement. It is an
intricately designed multi-application finite detail airbrush
that really pushes detail further than previous Badger
Airbrushes as well as those made by other companies, in
terms of design, look, feel, and performance.
The latest Badger paint formulations, RC Air and Woods
& Water, are designed for very specific purposes. RC Air is
designed for use by radio control painters, while Woods &
Waters is designed for use in taxidermy. Badger has several
paint brands for varying airbrush applications, and sees
paint product development as a key future growth horizon
for the company.
In the months and years to come, Badger will be unveiling
some very forward-thinking and exciting products. A
new airbrush soon to be released is named the ZRO. It
will feature an exceptionally versatile nozzle, allowing for
both fine and general spray. As many t-shirt painters have
indicated, one very common problem is the issue of tip dry.
The ZRO has been specifically designed to combat this
very problem, allowing for much easier use.
A paint development to be released in the near future will
expand the military line in the MODELflex paint range. A
revamped compressor range is scheduled to launch in
early July.
In the opinion of President Ken Schlotfeldt, there are only
a couple of manufacturers that compare to what Badger is
doing. Paasche Airbrushes and Iwata-Medea Airbrushes
are two manufactures that maintain similar high quality
standards, and consistently produce a high quality, if
slightly different product. Ken feels the standards of these
competitors contribute to Badger’s attentiveness to quality
and prompts Badger to continue pushing the envelope of
Air-Brush design.
The differences, he says, are that Badger really takes the time
to listen and respond to the concerns of the consumer, and
also that Badger is the last remaining airbrush manufacturer
that makes all of its airbrushes
in the United States.
The relentless dedication to
quality upon which Badger
insists has led them to a
long line of awards. Most
of these awards have been
for achievement in product
design, packaging design, and
patents. However, the two
awards that Ken cherishes
most came from very unique
sources. He received a
handmade plaque from a local third grade class for
“Funnest Field Trip”, and a certificate of appreciation from
the servicemen and women in the Baghdad Hobby Club
overseas.
Hobbyists of another kind have a special relationship with
Badger, as well. Model railroad hobbyists have a strong
connection to all manufacturers who make products that
make constructing an impressive layout easier.
see Badger Air-Brush, page 16
15
BADGER AIR-BRUSH continued from page 15
Many Trainfest attendees go to the event to learn about
new products and how they will impact the hobby, and also
to discuss their experiences with the products. As many
of the attendees are users of Badger equipment, Badger
Air-Brush likes to have representation at the event. This
way, they can provide Badger users with all of the latest
information, advice, and support, and they can also collect
questions and concerns from those users.
The exchange of information that Badger maintains allows
them to better serve the model railroading public.
Much like those with a lifelong passion for model
trains, Badger looks for new ways to get the upcoming
generations interested in the hobby. They have a vested
interest. Layout painting is a large piece of Badger’s
business, so they want to see the hobby flourish just as
much as anyone attending Trainfest.
Badger has conducted research to find ways of keeping
small children with a fascination for trains engaged in that
idea for life. Badger is truly a part of the model railroad
community in helping to advance the hobby. It’s a nice winwin relationship.
It takes passion and good
ideas to help a program to
progress and succeed.
The truly special and unique
model train clubs, the
ones who win awards and
consistently produce topnotch layouts, have that
passion and those good
ideas. Walter Schlotfeldt
and August Jeschke shared
that passion and those
good ideas, as well. The
camaraderie and open lines of communication between
these groups add to their respective undertakings. It proves
both entities with a purpose and affirmation that what they
are doing is right, as it contributes to the enjoyment and
overall happiness of those around them.
Badger Air-Brush understands and shares the art and
the philosophies of the model railroad hobbyist, and has
grown to an internationally notable manufacturing company
because of it. Yet, perhaps more importantly, they have
kept a decades-old pledge to always listen to and help the
customer.
16
Photos provided courtesy of Badger Air-Brush
Inside Scoop:
Manufacturers and hobby dealers are going to take the 40th
Trainfest anniversary celebrations to a new level. For some
their big plans are still under tight wraps, but for others, some
sources say commemorative items, giveaways and more are
in the works! Trainfest 2011 promises to be a spectacular
event with 40th anniversary surprises around every corner.
Make your plans now to be onsite both days!
Tr
n4f0eY st
i
a G E
AR
T IN
®
A
• C ELEBR
S
40
OD
DI
OF
M
NG
1972 - 2011
EL R AILRO
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Saturday & Sunday
Nov. 12 – 13, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Demonstrations
and “how-to”
clinics
•
60 Amazing
Railroads.
Enormous Fun.
Endless Discovery.
Learn tips and
techniques
•
60 manufacturers
•
60 hobby dealers
•
12 historical
societies
WI Expo Center
at State Fair Park
Tr
8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
Milwaukee (West Allis), WI
n f es
aTiING 40 YEAR t
G YOUR C
OD
DI
NG
BR
OF
M
IN
ERA
AM
• C ELEBR
S
A
40
®
EL R AILRO
Visit trainfest.com – Coupons, Details, Lodging!
A