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Bbags
Administrator
USA
13050 Posts |
 Posted - 08/17/2010 : 08:47:38 AM
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Unfortunately we have lost another from our group but through stories and pictures found here on the forum Brian will never be forgotten.
I first met Brian over on the finescaleminiatures Yahoo Group as we were starting a group build on Foss'' Landing.
I mentioned to him about Railroad-Line Forum and as they say the rest is history.
Brian was a great teacher and through e-mails and phone conversations helped me greatly with my modeling.
Brian while a great modeler was not really computer savvy as he had trouble posting pictures and I and others have posted pictures for him in the past.
He also started as inspecbri but after an absence could not remember his password so he was registered a second time as Brian Nolan.
The first instance where Brian was a big help was in taking pictures for me of Archie Smith''s Fish Warehouse found in Florida which I then modeled as Brian Nolan''s Fish Warehouse for the first ever Challenge here on Railroad-Line.
I believe Dave Revelia also helped Brian take these pictures which was a very nice gesture on their parts in helping me with a modeling project.
Here are the pictures they took
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4358
Here are a couple of pictures of Brian Nolan''s Fish Warehouse modeled from the pictures they took.
Here are a couple of threads I found here on the forum that show Brian''s incredible modeling skills.
Brians Chippy Hollow Pics
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4837
Brian Nolan''s Tractor Repair Diorama
http://www.railroad-line.com/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13774
Bluesky pictures from Brian Nolan (inspecbri)
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5631
There are many more threads here on the forum that show the incredible modeling ability that Brian possessed.
I would also ask that others who have thoughts about Brian or pictures of his models post them here in this thread as a tribute to Brian. |
John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23235 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 09:11:03 AM
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I had the pleasure of meeting Brian three times. Twice at Springfield and then again at the first Craftsman Structure Show.
He had the rare ability to make you feel like an old friend five minutes after meeting him.
This photo was taken at the Springfield show in 2006.
Across the back row (L to R) George Downer, Dave Revelia, Jerry (trains1941) and his wife Diane, Marty (lab-dad), Brian, Tim Kerkhoff and his wife Julie, Pat (belg) and Rick. In the front row (L to R) are Russ (slimrails), Scott McCabe, me, and Mark (hdhishere). |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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Jan Kirkwood
Crew Chief
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 09:24:13 AM
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What a wonderful modeler, I had never seen his pictures before, thanks John.
How terrible for his family, I am still keeping them in my prayers.
Maybe Bruce could identify the faces in the pix?
Jan |
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17752 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 09:29:05 AM
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John, thanks for starting this thread.
Brian, was a huge influence in my modeling.
It was this thread that Brian started in the On30 forum about the new SierraWest Boiler House kit that converted me from HO to On30. http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6212
Some pictures of the completed Boiler House diorama. http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7809
Some pictures I took of Brian's entry at the Dearborn NG Convention.
I think he won best in show that year. http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9849
Brian loved to give back to the hobby.
Always had time to answer anyones questions.
I remember him being on the stage at the CSS shows for hours at a time demonstrating his techniques.
He was always upbeat.
A real people person.
Dave called him The Mayor.
He talked to everyone at the conventions and shows.
He knew everyone and everyone knew him.
I'll never forget riding in the car with Dave and Brian doing a layout tour at one of the conventions and Brian says to me, Rick, you should move to Florida so we could hang out more and all build a layout together.
That meant a lot to me.
Here's a picture that I'll always treasure.
I have a copy of it sitting on my work bench.
From L to R: Nick (Nick O), me, Dave Revelia, Marty (lab dad), Jerry (Trains1941) and Brian.
I'm going to miss you Brian.
Won't be the same in St. Louis without you. |
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Bbags
Administrator
USA
13050 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 09:54:53 AM
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This might look like a piece of cardstock with some wood attached.
This is actually something that Brian sent me many years ago after a phone conversation where I mentioned I was having trouble with the wood siding on Quincy Salvage.
This 3" wide by 2" tall piece now is my constant companion as I model a kit made of wood.
It now sits in the box for the model of Shelby's.
Brian was not only a great teacher but a generous person.
Also with the above he sent me some details that he had painted in the past.
Many can be seen in the workshop that I built for another Challenge starting with the pole vice and the workbenches.
Until recently this workshop sat alone on the layout but it has since been moved to where Chambers Boat Repair (Shelby's) will reside.
So in this area of my layout I will have a memorial to 2 of the people who had a profound influence on my modeling. |
John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Dutchman
Administrator
USA
23235 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 10:06:22 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Jan Kirkwood
Maybe Bruce could identify the faces in the pix?
Jan, I went back and edited in the names. Hopefully I got them all right! |
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17752 Posts |
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Mike Hamer
Engineer
9347 Posts |
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eTraxx
Fireman
USA
1947 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 10:24:23 AM
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Unlike others who had a personal relationship with him, I didn't know Brian Nolan except through his modeling. I was just looking at my copies of the 2008 and 2009 On30 Annuals and sure enough the scenes that I admired so much .. yeah .. they were by him.
I think that when someone passes like Brian Nolan that he is missed so much by even those like myself that didn't know him simply because we - as a group loose so much. It doesn't matter if it's a talented modeler, singer, actor, artist or pundit. It's the loss of that talent, the years of accumulated knowledge, depth of understanding .. the insight. There is so much in the world that is ugly .. that we treasure the beauty. That makes it so much worse when we loose those that stand out among the 'us'. That is a tribute to that person in that for all of the praise and statements of sadness .. that's a wound that will never fully heal .. and I think that's the way it should be. Healing means that it's .. 'ok'. Unfortunately, we can't keep the 'good ones' and trade them for those that have accomplished nothing in a long dreary life. So .. we can only celebrate these 'beautiful spirits' .. and give thanks that we have them for however long they are there. RIP. |
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PaulS
Crew Chief
USA
743 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 11:32:15 AM
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John, Thanks very much for starting this thread and to you and Rick for including some of Brian's former posts and his wonderful craftsmanship. We are all better for having known and having spent some time with Brian.
Brian’s talents and artistic ability were superb but what I will take away most was his pure enjoyment of completely immersing himself into whatever piece of board or casting he was working on as his hands routinely reproduced the image he held in his mind for that particular article. Yes, he will indeed be missed and remembered by many.
Thanks,
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Paul
Modeling the Atlantic & White Mountain Ry. |
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LVN
Fireman
Canada
5023 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 12:01:21 PM
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I first met Brian at CSS07. He was so generous and personable with his advice and shared his knowledge freely. Lots of humour and in so many ways humbled by the praise others gave him. His energy and enthusiasm to teach others left a a strong admiration for the man and he will be missed. Some how I think he will be watching over us and saying. There is no formula, just keep on working it until you are happy. You brought lots of happiness to us all Brian..
Here is a photo of Brian doing his first clinic at CSS07
At CSS08 he was up on stage giving hands on advice on painting and weathering wood and stone surfaces.
Will always remember ya buddy. Cheers |
Chris Lyon
http://www.lyonvalleynorthern.blogspot.com |
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k9wrangler
Fireman
USA
5893 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 12:14:08 PM
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| Thanks for this post. I'd not been as aware of Brian as I should have. |
Karl Scribner
H.M.F.W.B.I.C.
Kentucky Southern Rwy & Associated Lines
Sunfield Twp. Michigan
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C Laskey
Crew Chief
USA
744 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 12:19:37 PM
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Our hobby has lost one of the best modelers to ever come down the train tracks. Beyond the hobby, he was one of the kindest persons we had the pleasure of meeting. He was always willing to share his knowledge of kit building. And then there was that magnificient smile that could light up the room. And of course we cannot forget the great stories that always made us laugh. And God bless him for giving of himself every time that fire alarm sounded and he jumped on that truck and put himself in harms way inorder to help another person or family. Brian, for all that you were and everything you did, we thank you. May you find a heavenly railroad to take you to your next station. God be with you and your family.
Carl & Sandy Laskey |
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Jan Kirkwood
Crew Chief
USA
749 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 12:28:03 PM
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Thank you Bruce for labeling the pix. John, what a wonderful gift Brian gave you, as I looked at pix of his modeling his graining of wood really stood out. I think the mark of a really great teacher is that the teaching moves the student beyond the teacher.
Jan |
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Tabooma County Rwy
Fireman
USA
4195 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 12:32:23 PM
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| Nice thread, John. I met Brian at the Portland, Oregon NNGC. I just said "hi" to him and he kept the conversation going, asking about my modeling interests and explaining some of his techniques. He definitely made me feel at ease with him. What a tremendous modeler and person! |
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darrylhuffman
Engine Wiper
USA
183 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 1:03:50 PM
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One of my favorite memories of Brian was at the Sn3 Symposium in 2003.
I went just to get to know Brian and Dave Revelia better.
Brian and I went to breakfast and talked a long time plus Brian and Dave had brought a large number of dioramas to the show.
I was able to pull up a chair and sit and example each one very carefully while Brian and I discussed his techniques and ideas.
Brian was absolutely one of the friendliest, nicest guys in this great hobby.
He will be missed by many people. |
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A tribute to Brian Nolan
