Verne Niner's On30 Legacy | Workbench Wednesday

Welcome to Workbench Wednesday at Thunder Mesa Studio! This week it's a stroll down memory lane with the model railroading magic of my friend Verne Niner. Sadly, we lost Verne in 2015, but many people remember his model railroading articles and blog posts with great fondness. I am the proud caretaker of some of Verne's On30 equipment, along with his award winning San Lorenzo diorama. Join me for a look back at Verne's On30 legacy.
Thanks for watching!
Dave
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[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

What a beautiful Tribute to a very talented Friend. This has given me a lot of inspiration. Thank you.

[@tinplategeektoo]

Great to see Verne's buildings and equipment living on and been seen by others. I use to follow yourself, Verne and others on the MRH forums and even occasional chatted to you all. It was always enjoyable to see his work and how it raise the game for others too. Loved his sense of humour too and the good natured back of forth that happened.

[@travisjodyh.842]

Thanks for posting this Dave, Verne was a great guy. I traded some Blackstone equipment for one of his locomotives, and I am very proud to have it.

[@samfuller6273]

Good story. Beautiful models!

[@theragingdolphinsmaniac4696]

I understand about both building to please other modelers, and having models of a friend that's passed on...

[@pbyfr]

I had read the articles that Verne had in MRH, it was often inspirational. A few years after, I remembered the trick of the "hot" tender, and did something similar for a very small diesel in O-16.5 (smaller than these Porter), but with a small working car instead. It works a lot better this way.

[@user-bf1oc6zt1z]

Greetings From Colorful Colorado, Dave, I am super impressed with this week's Workbench Wednesday. Verne Niner's stuff was/is great. I loved the story of the Frijolene Refinery. I laughed good and long on that story knowing how volatile Frijol fumes are. So far, at 67 years old, I have never put together a single piece of track. Watching your videos are both fascinating and educational. Won't be long and I will be building bench-work out in the garage (Train Room). Thanks Dave, John Arvada Colorado

[@jeffbrownlee9612]

A fitting heartful tribute to a fine modeler and, obviously, a dear friend. Thank you for sharing an inspirational moment or two with all of us.

[@Grainexpress]

Such a wonderful story Dave. So great that you carry on Verne’s legacy. Now I’ll look at your layout in a new light. 😉 I have some Athearn blue box cars that are from a friend that passed away and as far as I’m concerned no other rivet counter cars will ever be as good as them. Take care Dave.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Great tribute to a clever and amazing master modeler! Steam on Verne!

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I partly thank Verne's modeling for getting me back into model trains, especially On30 model railroading. What I loved about his layout was the blend of realism and having some fun along the way too. That's what I love about On30 is the flexibility and the fact there are numerous prototypes you can point to. While Verne is no longer with us, it is awesome to see his legacy living on both physically and inspirationally.

[@pacificcoastminiatures]

Beautiful story!

[@tomt9543]

Very interesting stuff! Thanks for the history/memoriam! You make a very interesting point about “pleasing others”! It can indeed be a very liberating experience to just “ do it my way”, and enjoy the hobby in the way that pleases each of our unique tastes and, dare I say, “quirks”!

[@loispadgett6306]

What a great story of Verns life in trains and how he inspired people. Sounds like he was a fun person to know. Glad you have some of he's trains on your layout. Thanks for sharing it all with us. GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@davevan8864]

Great history tale!!! Thx

[@johnbanicki7232]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@k3ndawg7]

Though I didn’t discover his work until after his untimely passing, Verne Niner has been huge inspiration for me. His “Maverick Canyon” is the inspiration for my own Owl Canyon & Pacific. I can’t wait to start on it! Verne and Dave’s influence will be readily evident. :)

[@allenlandis4504]

Good Show .

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

A great tribute. ‘Brings some interesting thoughts about one’s own legacy in the hobby. Thanks!

[@caesarillion]

Wow, maybe Verne is up in Heaven talking to Van Gogh about colors. Thanks for more On3 and showing me his work and dream. Thailand Paul ..Agent D&RG Ry

[@felipesanchezcuriel]

It's quite easy to fall in the trap of modelling to please others, especially when you are planing to submit your models to a contest. That keep me away from plastic models for a long time

[@heybabe8438]

I agree I'm getting back to modeling after long layoff,in use to build for display and contests now it's just for my own pleasure!

[@jackamo427327]

Enjoyed watching his layout develop and conversing with him on Railroad Line Forums