Explorer Fred Kurtz Images for Railway Model
Longtime NE Explorer and friend Fred Kurtz has used his images in a unique way – he combined his photography with his other love , model trains. Here is his story:
Jon and Fred are lifelong best friends. They started building their first HO model railroad in a basement in 1969 when they were around 15 – 16 years old on three 4 x 8 feet tables. That railroad was called the KS&W and lasted until Fred got married and left home. Then about seven years ago, Fred moved within a couple of miles of Jon and they both started building railroads in their basements, resurrecting the KS&W name. Like all railroads, they renamed the railroads a year ago to KSX. They work once a week, on Wednesday nights, alternating houses (unless Fred is on a photo trip:). These are fairly large railroads – Fred has eight mainlines and Jon has five mains plus a dedicated Zoo line where the Carousel will eventually go with his photographs on it from his last NE Kenya Tour.
Fred KurtzOn Sep. 2nd, 2013
Thanks for the post Tanya! Jon will love it.
Yes every Wednesday night Sue. Jon is very patient with me when I travel. His dad is 93 and makes a yearly visit in August from Florida to see and work on our railroads.
The Carousel is now in place on Jon’s railroad and operating along with a Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster . He is going to build a Carousel for my railroad so I will put Kenya images on it too. They were shrunk down to a size of about 1/2″ by 1″.
For those who have not done NE’s Kenya trip, I highly recommend it. D&T tried for years to get me to go and I would not because it was out of my comfort zone. So when I did go, it was very special because I had the time of my life and it was so wonderful. I recommend it to everyone.
Daniel J. CoxOn Sep. 2nd, 2013
Another great use of photography. Keep up the great work Fred.
Sue WolfeOn Sep. 2nd, 2013
Very cool Fred. Every Wednesday night … now that is dedication. However, I’m very glad you skip one every now and then to be my travel buddy!