The Frisco Modelers' Information Group was formed in May 1976 with about a dozen modelers. I'm celebrating our 40th this afternoon by going to Allan Keller's basement to run some Frisco trains through his HO-scale Memphis. How many of you were with us from the start? Several of the early Frisco modelers have tied up at the eternal terminal, but are fondly remembered by those of us "still out on the road." Doug
We lived in Cincinnati in 1976 so I was not aware of FMIG at the time Doug started it. I was really focusing on model aircraft back then - mainly Luftwaffe and US WW-2 aircraft in 1:72 scale. We returned to St Louis in 1978, and that re-lit my Frisco fires. As best I can recall, I joined FMIG sometime in late 1979. I recall Doug bringing a complete set of the then existing FMIG newsletters to the Memphis meeting. The late Martin Lofton and I agreed to split them up, half to each, and make copies for the other. To one who already had a love for the Frisco from my MSM days, but had little in the way of specific knowledge beyond what I could see between St Louis and Newburg, the existence of the FMIG, the friends I gained, and the knowledge shared in the newsletters was a true delight. Thanks Doug. Happy FMIG anniversary! Ken
I got a note in the mail about a group being formed. I guess my address came from a swap meet registry. I joined soon after. I never contributed much because I was in N Scale and the group was pretty much HO oriented. BUT I got so-o-o much great information about the Frisco. I still have my newsletters and I refer to them often. Tom Galbraith
Allen Keller's great layout was featured in the November 2002 issue of Model Railroader. It's extremely well done and easy to operate. I helped run five trains including the Frisco's KC-FL Special, SL-SF freight 835, the IC's City of New Orleans, and two more - a freight and a passenger. All locomotives were sound equipped. We ran 28 trains total - an entire session - in about four hours.
Doug, I'm just going to say I am grateful that FMIG was formed, even if I wasn't around to participate yet.... FMIG is a full month older than I am. Obviously, I wouldn't have had much input way back then. Paul
Howdy folks, Congrats Doug for striking the spark that fired the boiler. Nice job! We are all much indebted to you and the countless lunch time editing sessions. I think I started getting Doug's wonderful newsletters in the mid to late 70's will I was in NATO. I was stunned at so much information being available. Happy rails, Mike Corley
Would it be possible to have the FMIG newsletter scanned so the Frisco website members can see what you are talking about. I've never seen one of the newsletters. I bet there several other members have never seen one too. Joe
Joe - Good news! All the FMIG Newsletters have already been scanned into the site, as well as all the Frisco Museum's "All Aboard" publications. Go into the forums and scan down to The Interchange. You will find them there. Under the Modeling the Frisco forum, you will find the FMIG Lines Newsletters, which are generally about Frisco theme layouts. Good reading all !!!!! Ken
Doug, first and foremost, thanks for taking the initiative to collect and disseminate such valuable information and getting this whole thing started. Thanks to all the contributors that shared information with Doug and the group in those formative years. Thanks to Mike Corley who started the website and Charlie Dix who has kept it going. Again, thanks to all the contributors both in information, materials and money to support the continued growth. It is important than all who have documents and pictures concerning the Frisco share on this forum so that it all gets preserved for those who follow in our footsteps. Ultimately, if you have such materials or know someone with such materials, it is important to encourage them to share and let their potential heirs know what to do with the materials they have so nothing is lost in the trash.
