About the Jim Findley clinic
The
raw video is courtesy of Neil Dahl, and was edited by GDRP member
Anders Eriksson to include improved slide images where available and
improved audio.
Neil's comments:
"John
Smith, owner of Pecos River Brass in Lewisville, Texas held model
railroad clinics on Saturdays. On this occasion Jim Findley used his
slides from the Gorre & Daphetid to discuss modeling tips and his
involvement and interaction with John Allen and the railroad. Jim had
involvement with The GD Lines, but also was deeply involved in brass
model development for Hallmark Models, as well as being pretty well
known for his own Tioga Pass RR, featured several times in Model
Railroader. He as well as John Allen were master craftsmen."
Randy Decker's comments:
"It is through his efforts as an amateur
historian and fellow model railroader that Neil Dahl (who knew Jim
fairly well) cared enough about Jim's legacy that he decided he would
try and preserve Jim's entire RR and as many of the things he had in the
trailer home that Jim was in the process of destroying while
constructing a new home on the property. Neil's efforts are why we have
this treasure trove of items from Jim's modeling still today. You
may not know but Neil did actually salvage his entire RR in large pieces
(removed through cutting open a side wall) and Jim's entire Tioga Pass
RR did survive for several years before a massive rain storm back in
1998 or thereabouts damaged it beyond repair. Neil decided to
removed all the buildings and the trestle and sadly he then disposed of
the warped and ruined plywood bench-work. He found the VHS tape in a box
of books and magazines and papers, many of which were also damaged and
kept it, not knowing if it still worked, until re-finding it just a few
years ago, playing it and sharing it on YouTube with
everyone. Hats off to Neil Dahl...! If
they have a medal for historians he deserves one for sure."