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Meet the Staff
Published: Thursday, May 25, 2006
Neil Besougloff, Editor
Neil Besougloff has been editor of Model Railroader magazine since June 1, 2007. Before that, Neil was editor of Classic Toy Trains and a newspaper editor in Florida and in his native New Jersey.
He is slowly but surely building another prewar-style O gauge layout after moving to a new home in early 2006.
He has written two toy train books (Command Control for Toy Trains and Creative Track Plans for Toy Trains) and has edited a third (Lionel Accessories at Work on Toy Train Layouts), all for Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Neil and his wife Susy are the parents of five boys. They live in Oconomowoc, Wisc. In addition to toy trains, Neil spends his free time reading history books and tinkering with his 1931 Ford Model A.
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Neil's layout
Neil's old layout was a mix of tinplate passenger trains, prewar-style buildings, and modern scenery. The T-shaped layout was 14 feet wide and 20 feet long and wrapped around the basement furnace of his 19th century home. The layout featured a pair of operating bascule bridges and MTH catenary. Trains could be run with either Lionel's TrainMaster Command Control or MTH's Digital Command System.
The old layout was on two convention tours, once during the Lionel Operating Train Society convention in 2002 in Milwaukee and again during the Lionel Collectors Club of America convention in 2004.
Neil's next layout in his new home will have a vastly different track plan but will follow the same general themes as his old layout. Among his favorite trains are a prewar American Flyer Zephyr, Lionel's Phantom, prewar Lionel 252 and 248 electrics, an MTH RailKing M10000 streamliner, and an Ace Trains British 4-4-4 tank engine.
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Andy Sperandeo, Executive Editor
Andy Sperandeo has been on the staff of Model Railroader since 1979. He was named executive editor in 2001. He was also the founding editor of the annual Great Model Railroads magazine, is the editorial director of Model Railroad Planning, and edits the How To Build Realistic Layouts series of MR special issues. In addition, Andy is the author of three Kalmbach books (Easy Model Railroad Wiring, The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards, and The Model Railroader's Guide to Passenger Equipment & Operations).
Andy has been a model railroader since his teens, and his interests in the hobby include modeling the Santa Fe's route through Cajon Pass (he started building his basement layout in April 1995) and operating model railroads (he likes to run the yard). A native of New Orleans, he and his wife, Arlene, now live in Brookfield, Wis., near the MR offices.
Andy's Layout: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. in HO scale
I model the First District of the Santa Fe's Los Angeles Division, from San Bernardino over Cajon Pass to just west of Victorville, Calif. The time is 1947 during the transition from steam to diesel.
The 38 x 44-foot layout in my basement will range in height from 66" at Summit down to 38" at San Bernardino. The L-girder benchwork supports 3/4" plywood subroadbed with Homabed roadbed. The track will all be handlaid except for staging yard. I've completed about two thirds of my benchwork and have laid all of the track from Summit through Keenbrook. |
Jim Hediger, Senior Editor
Jim Hediger has been on the staff of Model Railroader since 1972 and became senior editor of the magazine in 1978. He originated the magazine's Paint Shop column and built one of the earliest practical model railroads using John Armstrong's double-deck concepts.
After starting with an American Flyer train set in 1950, Jim made the switch to HO in 1957 and has rebuilt his well-known Ohio Southern to improve its operating potential. The present Ohio Southern is a 1970s coal and steel hauling "subsidiary" of the prototype Detroit, Toledo & Ironton RR. A feature article on "The groundbreaking Ohio Southern" (including the current track plan) was published in the September 2005 of Model Railroader magazine. The earlier track plan appeared in the February 1998 MR, and Jim's Huron Steel plant was in the April 1996 issue.
Star Hobbies, located right across the alley from his parent's home in Dearborn, Mich., provided part-time employment throughout his teens while a junior membership in the Detroit Model Railroad Club (O scale) gave him the opportunity to gain model railroading skills from some of the hobby's pioneers. Jim was co-chairman of the National Model Railroad Association's 50th anniversary national convention, "Goin' Home '85." He has three grown children, Larry, Lynn, and Lori, and two grandchildren, Lucas and Lindsey.
Ohio Southern in HO scale
My Ohio Southern is a point-to-point double-decked railroad with 220 feet of main line and a 30"-radius helix connecting the decks. It has two stub end and two reverse loop staging yards stacked into an L-shaped 22 x 28-foot space. A third stub-ended staging yard extends into my workshop, for a total of 28 concealed staging tracks. Realistic operation of 17-20 trains per sequenced "day" uses up to four road crews, three yard jobs, and a dispatcher.
I started working on a double-deck system around 1980. Progress on that version of the OS came to a halt in 1990 when my basement was torn up for sewer installation. I took the opportunity to make some revisions to eliminate staging yard access problems and enhance the operating scheme. The "new" OS is a 1970s coal and steel hauling subsidiary of the prototype Detroit, Toledo & Ironton RR; my track plan is shown in the September 2005 issue of MR.
All my track is now operational and basic scenery and foliage covers the upper deck and most of the lower deck. The DC wiring is complete and I'm now working on building my industries, upgrading equipment, and a revised operating plan.
All my track is now operational and basic scenery and foliage covers the upper deck. Most of the wiring is complete and I'm now working on a revised operating plan. |
David Popp, Managing Editor
David Popp has been a member of the Model Railroader staff since 2001. He is a former high school English and drama teacher, having taught for 9 years in the Illinois public school system. Both his dad and his grandfather were model railroaders, and he's built layouts in N, HO, O, and G scales with them. In addition to his railroading interests, David also enjoys writing, historical miniature war gaming, gardening, slot car racing, and music. His wife, Ingrid, is a pianist and shares his love of the arts and the outdoors.
The Naugatuck Valley RR
His most recent layout is an N scale representation of the New York, New Haven & Hartford RR set in Connecticut's Naugatuck River valley in the fall of 1959. The layout was built for operation, and it centers on the city of Waterbury and its various connecting New Haven branch lines. David started the layout as a small apartment-size model railroad and has since expanded it twice. The Naugatuck Valley RR was featured in the April 2006 Model Railroader, Great Model Railroads 2007, and it's construction has been chronicled in the Step-by-Step series of how-to articles, beginning in January 2004 MR. The most recent addition, the Waterbury Industrial District, was the subject of a four-part series in the September through December 2008 MRs. A six-part video miniseries accompanied the articles, and can be found elsewhere on the Web site.
In it's current state, the Naugatuck measures 10 x 12 feet (13 x 18 feet if you count the walkways). The layout's scenery is complete, and the first official operating session was held in December of 2005. The railroad requires a minimum crew of four to operate, but can handle as many as six. David runs the Naugatuck using timetable and train order (much as the New Haven's real Naugatuck Branch did) and a 3:1 fast clock. He uses car cards with 4-cycle waybills (made by Mirco-Mark) for routing cars. The layout is wired with a Lenz Digital Command Control system and uses Lenz and Atlas walkaround throttles.
Never happy unless he's building a model railroad, David has been contemplating expanding the Naugatuck yet again, this time finishing the line north from Waterbury to Winsted, Conn. When completed, this new phase will effectively double the size of the layout. He's also been dabbling in British OO modeling in the last year, and has drafted plans to build a small Great Western/early British Railways layout set in the late 1940s. It remains to be seen as to which project he will tackle first!
Watch David's videos in his four-part series 4 weeks to a bigger layout
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Dana Kawala, Associate Editor
Dana Kawala joined the Model Railroader staff as an Associate Editor in October 2005. Before coming to Kalmbach Publishing, Dana was a product manager for Lionel Trains LLC in Chesterfield, Mich. Some of his areas of responsibility included high-end steam locomotives and passenger cars. Among his duties at Lionel, he edited and managed the production of the company's biannual catalogs and other printed material.
A native of metro-Detroit, Dana received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He also lived in Chicago for many years while working at the University of Chicago Library.
Dana's main modeling interest is the Bay City Branch of the Michigan Central RR (part of the New York Central System) during the 1930s and 1940s. Aside from once running through his home town of Utica, Mich., this branch line interchanged freight with Dana's second favorite railroad, the Pere Marquette at points farther north. |
Cody Grivno, Associate Editor
Cody Grivno joined the staff of Model Railroader in June 2002. Trains have been a part of his life from an early age. Cody had a basic layout at age 5, and went on to build three other permanent layouts. His last layout was based on the Red Wing Division project featured in the December 1994 MR.
Cody graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., in May 2002 with a bachelor of arts degree in print journalism. In college, he was a writer and editorial assistant for Concordia's Office of Communications and did free lance writing for three newspapers.
An avid railfan, Cody grew up a block from the BNSF Ry. main line in Crookston, Minn., and spent much time down by the tracks and at the Redland Yards photographing trains. Many of the photos served as references for his modeling projects. Cody enjoys kitbashing, painting, and detailing freight cars and locomotives. His models have won several awards, including NMRA Thousand Lakes Region contests.
Cody is interested in shortline railroads, particularly the Minnesota Northern RR based in Crookston. He also enjoys the Northern Plains RR, BNSF Ry., and the Canadian Pacific/Soo Line. Cody plans to build a layout of northwest Minnesota, which will feature Crookston and Thief River Falls, allowing him to run trains from short line and Class 1 railroads. |
Steven Otte, Associate Editor
Steven Otte is an associate editor at Model Railroader magazine. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and a graduate of the University of Florida, Steve lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Traci. He has been a magazine and newspaper writer and editor for 21 years and a model railroader for 16.
Steve is building an HO scale layout set in the early 1900s based on a Pennsylvania RR-owned short line in southwest Ohio.
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Kent Johnson, Associate Editor
Kent Johnson first joined the staff of Model Railroader in the fall of 2004. Kent has accumulated a wealth of hobby knowledge while working as a senior editor for Classic Toy Trains magazine and as a senior acquisitions editor in the Kalmbach Publishing Co. Books Department.
In addition to editing magazines, instructional references, price guides, and single issue publications, Kent has authored and photographed features, reviews, and columns, including the popular "Talkin' Toy Trains" series he wrote with his dad. He also appeared in the video production of Dream, Plan, Build: Layouts, Modeling Tips & Prototype Railroads and the DIY network television series Workin' on the Railroad.
Kent and his wife Ella are the parents of two sons and two dogs. Kent does his best to share his interest in trains, travel, music, photography, basketball, and other outdoor activities with his family and friends.
Kent's layout: Canadian Pacific Railway In O scale
Kent's O gauge layout fills a 14- by 48-foot room in his basement. Inspired by travels to various regions of western Canada, Kent is building his layout to include city scenes in Vancouver, B.C., forested mountain terrain, and deep river canyons. Along with the scenery, the layout includes plenty of contemporary command-control locomotives and rolling stock, painted, weathered, and detailed for Canadian railways.
While finishing construction, Kent opened the layout to Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA), Lionel Operating Train Society (LOTS), and National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) members attending conventions in Milwaukee, Wisc.
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Terry Thompson, Publisher
Terry Thompson has been a reader of MR since he was 10 and he's modeled in HO, O and G. A native of Grafton, Ohio, Terry became a fan of the New York Central, the Baltimore & Ohio, and railroading in general at an early age. Before coming to Kalmbach, he taught at Ohio State, and prior to that he worked for the Chicago & North Western.
Terry is currently building an HO scale layout. |
Eric Stelpflug, Editorial Associate
Eric Stelpflug joined the Model Railroader staff as an Editorial Associate in February 2008. Before coming to MR, Eric was Editorial Intern to Fine Scale Modeler magazine.
In 2008, Eric received a bachelor's degree in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism from Carroll College of Waukesha, Wis. While in college, he wrote for Zoological Society of Milwaukee and the Carroll College newspaper.
Aside from starting his own layout and learning as much as he can about the hobby, Eric also is a runner, triathlete, and percussionist. He has completed eight sprint triathlons, three half marathons, and one marathon (Chicago 2006). Currently, Eric is in the drum section of the Billy Mitchell Scottish.
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Tom Danneman, Art Director
Tom Danneman joined the staff of Model Railroader in April 1999. Tom is responsible for the look of MR. This includes designing the cover and feature articles, working with the editors to find the best way to present information, and giving direction to the illustrators as they produce those colorful and complex track plans. Tom also serves as art director for MR's two annual publications, Great Model Railroads and Model Railroad Planning.
Tom currently also serves as art director of Trains and Classic Trains magazines.
Tom is a top-notch railroad photographer, and he is currently building a small N scale layout based on one of his favorite railroads, Montana Rail Link. His other favorite railroad is the Burlington Northern. |
Drew Halverson, Graphic Designer
Drew Halverson joined the Trains staff as a graphic designer in July 2007, after graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Advertising and Criminology. He works primarily on Trains, Model Railroader and Classic Trains magazines.
Drew's love for trains dates back to childhood, when he remembers watching long coal trains leave Union Pacific's Butler Yard. Growing up in Milwaukee, he's very familiar with the local train scene and enjoys kicking back trackside during his free time. Drew is also an avid N scale modeler who enjoys modeling both the intermodal and industrial scenes.
When not at work, Drew is involved with his other passion, auto racing. Designing Web sites for Champ Car driver, Oriol Servia, and Champ Car team, KV Racing Technology, has allowed him to travel across the country and meet people from around the world. Also a Denver Broncos fan, Drew is enjoying the current football season.
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Craig Schneider, Graphic Designer
Craig Schneider joined the Model Railroader staff as a graphic designer in December 2007, after a year-long stint as a graphic designer in Kalmbach's Ad Services Department. Before coming to Kalmbach, Craig worked as a designer at the Herald Times Reporter, a newspaper in his hometown of Manitowoc, Wis.
Craig currently lives in Franklin, Wis. and enjoys spending his time away from work either on the golf course, softball diamond, or cheering on his beloved Milwaukee Brewers! |
Scott Redmond, Advertising Sales Manager
Scott Redmond joined the staff of Model Railroader in February 2007. Before joining MR, Scott worked as the advertising manager for Model Retailer magazine, the leading trade magazine for retail hobby stores and distributors. Scott has been with the advertising department of Kalmbach Publishing for over 10 years working to help advertisers promote new products, and increase brand awareness.
When not helping advertisers, Scott enjoys an assortment of hobbies including fishing, boating, and playing guitar. |
Martha Stanczak
After working in the art and office supply industry for a number of years, Martha Stanczak joined Kalmbach Publishing Company in 1990. Her extensive background in sales paved the path necessary to help our advertising customers.
Since joining Kalmbach Martha has handled advertising sales for Garden Railways, Classic Toy Trains and Model Railroader magazines. Martha's first train trip was on a family vacation in the early 60's on the California Zephyr which began a lifelong interest in trains and model trains.
Martha's interests beyond model railroading include spending time with her husband and beloved cat as well as cooking for friends and family. She especially enjoys French cuisine and was once fortunate enough to meet and spend a day with Master Chef Julia Child.
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