I always like to see some of the great modelers here on this forum, make it into the mag. So it's really great to see Norm's work in print again!!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
When you say "Norm C" I'm thinking great layout and great weathering!
BigRail posted:When you say "Norm C" I'm thinking great layout and great weathering!
Yeap! that's him!
There are many other greats here on the forum and also many in this new mag. Dave M. just as another example has a feature in there as well, and Don, etc.
I also look forward to George's reviews to see what showed up and this issue did not disappoint!
Cool, is it out yet? When will the digital version be available?
Congratulations Norm. Nice job.
I got the new issue today.
Way to go Charbonneau 
Fabulous layout!
Peter
Norm's vision is amazing. He doesn't just look -- he sees. And then he recreates what he saw. That's a rare combination of gifts. Norm, I lift my hat.
I, and others who know Norm, regard him as a friend and mentor.
I have not even seen the print version yet, but it obviously is out. The digital version is not something I handle, so can't say for sure that it has been posted yet. Have been spending the last several days battling with kidney stones (again), so I'm a bit out of touch.
Allan Miller posted:I, and others who know Norm, regard him as a friend and mentor.
I have not even seen the print version yet, but it obviously is out. The digital version is not something I handle, so can't say for sure that it has been posted yet. Have been spending the last several days battling with kidney stones (again), so I'm a bit out of touch.
Yikes!! Get well Allan!! Looking forward to another fantastic article by Norm.
Nice. Keep up the good work Norm.
Norm is THE MASTER MODELER! Most of us pale in comparison to his skills! He is a genuine ARTIST, as well as a craftsman!
Cover photo is FANTASTIC......love Norm's work and strive for it.
NORM
GOOD ARTICLE AND THE LAYOUT REALLY PHOTOGRAPHS WELL!!!
WOW !!!!! Just received run 301. Norm congrats on the layout feature, between your layout and Dave's layout the scenery work is second to none. I TIP MY HAT TO YOU BOTH ! 
Alex
Yes, I just got my copy as well! The photographs look great, Norm! I'm looking forward to reading the article!!
Wow, can't wait to see Norm's layout. Out here on this rock I'm the last one to get the print magazine. Maybe the digital copy will come up soon. Don
301 digital is up...35 extra pages!
Most of them more pictures of Norm’s layout.
Thanks Rich, got it. Norm puts us all to shame. Fantastic layout and detail. One of the best. Don
Wow, Norm C., beautiful layout, more like a beautiful work of art. Very impressive weathering and detailing. I do believe you outdid yourself, this ones better than the last one, IMO.
Just read the article in OGR yesterday on Norms layout. Without a doubt this guy takes things to a different level; realism unmatched!
U DA MAN NORM!!!!! Way to go.
Wow thanks a lot you guys! Glad you liked the article. Allan, hope you feel better!
Norm,
WOW .... The layout is amazing! Your weathering on the the engines, rolling stock and the buildings is something to behold!!
Nice work dude!
Congrats Norm. Always great to see your modeling and advice.
Thanks for the inspiration!! great work!!
Norm, your work makes me want to kidnap you and lock you in my basement til you finish my layout. Your work is awesome. Hope you someday write a book on your techniques.
Norm, got my copy today. I knew as soon as I saw the cover that it must be your fabulous layout. Just amazing. You are a true artist!
Allan, start drinking coconut JUICE. Works almost immediately.
Hal
I just watch Norm's youtube channel and think to myself "someday".....
He can turn anything into something that LOOKS REAL...
Congrats Norm...
Norm's work is artistry. One must realize when looking upon Norm's layout feature in Run 301 that he does indeed model on an artistic level matched by no one else. You can begin looking at any one of his photos, and you are continually drawn deeper and deeper into the scene. Every detail you notice just draws you deeper a deeper into yet more mini-scenes within the same photograph.
Stare at the cover photo and you may see the stray grass growing out of the gaps between the layers of old concrete above the retaining wall and the foundation slab of the building above it.
When you look at the coaling station and the sand tower on page 39, the more you look into the scene the more you can almost believe you could just walk along the tracks and stare up at the locomotives. The background of scrub trees and brush look like scrub trees and brush!
Congratulations to you Norm. YOU WIN!
Gary
Attachments
How does he have the time to do that & work full time? Just amazing. He's the best I've ever seen. Seems like he should quit his job & do this full time for a living since he has so much talant.
LIONEL posted:How does he have the time to do that & work full time? Just amazing. He's the best I've ever seen. Seems like he should quit his job & do this full time for a living since he has so much talant.
Exactly. He is much younger than I, and I was more productive when I was in his age bracket, certainly, but I have never been able to even approach that kind of output at any age - and let's not even talk about the quality of the work.
He's one of these guys who is so good that his work is not inspiring, it's discouraging.
(One thing about his layout(s) - impressive as they are, and large as they are, they are actually straightforward ones. I see no convoluted, fussy, over-and-under or hidden trackage (so far as I can tell). This is an advantage and a wise choice in terms of reliability and maintenance - however, this layout certainly has all kinds of operational possibilities, also. In fact, on top of everything else, the track plan appears outstanding, too. Sheesh.)
Lionel and D500, I was thinking similar things including the track plan. The only thing different is I'm not discouraged, although I can appreciate why you wrote that. I'm inspired maybe just because I am in a hobby where one can continue to grow in skills, but when age takes it's toll, still have the knowledge of the hobby and appreciation of what can be done.
Again, Fine work Norm!! Thank you and OGR for sharing it with us!!
Love the track and ballast. So real.
Great article and layout. Really well done.
You capture the grittiness of transition period railroading perfectly.
To any forum members that are not digital subscribers: Now is the time to join. You will be rewarded with 27 more gorgeous photos of Norm's layout.
Bob
I don't subscribe to OGR yet, but when I saw Norm's layout on the cover, I knew I had to have it.
Great article, loved the photos. I've been a fan of your YouTube stuff for a long time but had never seen a track plan until this OGR issue.
Like others, I was surprised to see a very young guy. I'm usually the youngest person at op sessions and I'm in my 40s, but clearly you're proof that you don't have to be a grizzled old guy to have breathtaking realism in a layout.
Great work, Norm! I've never seriously considered 3-rail could look like that until I saw your work, you've made me completely re-consider the merits of 3-rail.
Thanks again everyone! I'm glad the article seems to be well received. Sadly I'm not so young anymore but I did get carded again last Friday!
Ditto on all that Jim Barrett so eloquently proclaimed. I swear there's a smell of coal smoke evoked from simply viewing any of those layout scenes. Exceptionally well done, Norm.
Bruce
NORM anytime you get carded it is a good day!!!!
