Model Railroad Inspiration and Technique

Modeler Dean Freytag describes himself as having “a big ego.” He credits that as one of the reasons why he took a different approach to the model railroading hobby than others. He decided to model the steel industry, which can be rather difficult due to the lack of parts sold at stores. Big-box stores typically don’t sell all the parts needed for steel mills. Dean had to fabricate them all himself.

Inspiration and Technique

In part four of the 8-part South Ridge Line series, Allen Keller sits down with Dean Freytag to discuss the inspiration and technique behind his model railroad layout. Allen asks Dean several questions regarding the theming of the railroad and how he got started. First, Allen asks Dean if he based his ideas on his own work experience. Then, he asks Dean what the purpose of the railroad is. Next, he asks Dean why the steel industry fascinates him so much. Finally, they talk about the elements of the The South Ridge Line fabricated exclusively by Dean himself.

In the fifth segment of the series, Dean offers a step-by-step tutorial on making a vent the same way he did for his own model railroad. Stay tuned for his expert advice on how to make your own HO scale vent.