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As most of you already know, our friend and colleague Jim Barrett passed away suddenly on October 29, 2020.  Many of you contacted me requesting that we honor Jim in some way.  Rich Melvin suggested a way we could do this and he and I discussed the details of the best way to go about this.  A book seemed appropriate and natural since Jim enjoyed a twenty-four year writing career with O Gauge Railroading magazine. Jim shared his passion for the model railroading hobby in almost 200 of his “Jim Barrett in the Backshop” columns.

This book honors Jim’s legacy with 45 chapters of model railroading hints, tips and tricks to improve your layout building skills and hobby enjoyment, all in one easily accessible place.

So, on this Christmas Eve, we are announcing Jim's book.  It is available here.  Join us in adding this beautiful hard cover book to your library which represents how he lived, loved, and shared our hobby and will continue to do so to future generations through these writings.

Merry Christmas!

Alan

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Last edited by Rich Melvin
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Alan,

I was totally unaware of this sad news.  Jim's column, Jim Barrett in the Backshop, was a bible for me as I constructed my dream layout (still under construction).  For example, I used his innovative method in Run 270 to create a hinged lift up section by modifying the hinges to avoid the rails of the tracks in the crease from impinging on each other (see photos of my layout).  I had the pleasure of meeting Jim a few times at the TCA meets in York.  A true gentleman.

The text is a great tribute to him and his contributions to our hobby.  I just ordered the text.  Perfect use of the $50 gift certificate my wife gave for Christmas for any train purchases!  Also saves me time combing my back issues for the specific article I need.

Blessings to his family, especially during the holidays.

Michael

IMG_1667IMG_1668

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The book did indeed arrive a short while ago!  As with all the OGR offerings it's top notch production quality!

Rich  - that's a touching tribute you penned to Jim in the epilogue.

After paging through the book it's obvious it will be a great resource to us all.   For me personally it couldn't have come at a better time as I have a few more storage shelves to build in my basement and immediately after I will begin construction on the latest iteration of my "Crappy Basement Layout"!

-Greg

I just ordered this book, and quite honestly I'm so glad the team was able to pull it all together into a hardcopy text.

It would have taken me a vast amount of time to accomplish the same thing by trying to put all of Jim's tips into a single location for future reference.

I just feel bad that Jim isn't here to see this book in print as it represents a lifetime of knowledge and experience in this hobby. 

Received my copy on Monday, January 4th.  The publication is high quality.  As a senior citizen I appreciate the size of the type which is easy to read.  One suggestion to fellow forum members is to pull out your copy of OGRR Run 257 (June/July 2012) in which Jim listed his favorite backshop articles and provides a synopsis of the articles selected.

Rich, thank you.  Frank

@Allegheny posted:
...I just feel bad that Jim isn't here to see this book in print as it represents a lifetime of knowledge and experience in this hobby.
You and me both, Kazar. Jim was a very special guy.
@youngstown posted:

Received my copy on Monday, January 4th.  The publication is high quality.  As a senior citizen I appreciate the size of the type which is easy to read...

I'm glad you noticed, Frank. The body text font size was a conscious decision on my part when I was laying out the book. You can't go wrong with 11 point Times New Roman for the body text. Very easy on the eyes.

@Greg Houser posted:

Rich  - that's a touching tribute you penned to Jim in the epilogue.

Thanks, Greg. I meant every word.

Hi all,

Thought I would add this to my earlier post regarding the value that Jim's articles had on the construction and operation of my "dream" layout.  I began that journey about the same time as he began constructing his latest layout and used so many of the tips and guidance he provided in the articles.  I could not wait to see the next ones as they were published.  Here are several examples of how I used his advice with the related chapter numbers from the recently published text (it's a great addition to my train resources):

How to mount and paint a backdrop (2).

Backdrop

How to make clouds with a stencil (3).

Clouds

How to construct sturdy benchwork economically (4).  Advice from my grandson was extra!

Benchwork

How to use plastic C clamps to secure wiring (4).

Clamps

How to modify hinges on a lift up panel to avoiding impinging tracks (5).

Hinges

How to construct a removable rock wall (36). Photo shows the panel, which slides down.

Mountain wall

And more recently, how to keep the layout clean (42).

Cleaning

Of course, I also used many of his instructional videos for several of my vintage and quirky Lionel operating accessories...to keep them operating!

Videos

His knowledge and guidance has certainly been instrumental in bringing pleasure and success to this hobby.  I hope this appreciation of his contributions brings a smile to him as the rides the rails somewhere in the skies.

Michael

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