(jeb@oscalemag.com). - O Scale Trains Magazine Online

Book Review: Howard Zane: My Life With Model Trains, ISBN 0-9779834-0-4. MSRP: $69.95 plus $12.00 s&hHoward Zane, 5236 Thunder Hill Rd, Columbia MD 21045410-730-1036 • [www.zanestrains.com]reviewed by Joe GiannovarioI’ve never metHoward Zane, butafter reading hisbook I wish I had.He’s that personable,even in print.Not everyoneyou’ll meet inmodel railroadinghas a personalitybig enough towarrant their ownbook. Howard isone of the few.Yes, it’s an autobiographyof sorts.Yes, it’s about an HO Scale model railroad, but it’s still worthreading even if you are in O Scale.Over the course of 32 (short) chapters, Howard details hisjourney through the world of model railroading, from riding inan Erie K-1 4-6-2 with “Uncle” Ike, to his father’s early layoutswith a Lionel 700E and a Lobaugh Challenger, to his discoveryand adulation of John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid. Howard hasdone it all; built a 2850 sq. ft. HO Scale empire, owned andoperated a hobby shop, and established one of the most successfulscale model trains shows in the country. Actually, he’sdone quite a lot more, but you should read the book to findout what those are for yourself.Were this just an autobiographical trip through Howard’srailroad activities, I would be hard pressed to make the casefor spending over $80 for this book. What makes this worththe money is the stunningly beautiful photography of Howard’slayout by Geren Mortensen, Jr. Mortensen’s photos could havebeen a book project by themselves. He shows Howard’s workto its best advantage and the photos will inspire any modelrailroader, regardless of scale. You’ll spend hours just lookingat the pictures.Now, add to all of this tips and tricks from Howard’s experiencebuilding his model railroad and you have somethingof value, a book that will become a reference in your libraryrather than collect dust on your coffee table.Okay, so if Howard hadn’t sent me a copy to review I doubtI would have purchased it myself. After all, it’s largely aboutan HO Scale modeler and I’m an O Scale modeler. But, Iwould have done myself a disservice in passing up this book.I learned a lot about Howard Zane, the man and model railroadentrepreneur. I also learned a lot about what goes intobuilding and operating a successful model railroad. No matterwhat scale you model in, you’ll get your money’s worth fromHoward’s book.2007 O Scale National ConventionSponsoredby The56 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’07Indy O Meet & O Scale TrainsSeptember 20, 21 & 22, 2007Rooms from $65.00 to $89.00 l Special Rates & Reservations by 8/10/07at the Marriot Indianapolis East l 7202 21st Street l Indianapolis, IN 46219http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/inddtP 400 TablesP Two Trading HallsP Clinics all day ThursdayP Layout ToursP Door prizes every hourP Free ParkingMagazineRegistration $35.00Advance registration by 8/15/07 includes a customlaser engraved name tagTables $40.00after 8/15/07 $50.00Please make checks to:James Canter1203 Rotherham LaneBeech Grove, IN 46107-3323317 l 322 l 3716 l jcanternkp@sbcglobal.net