| Bill Lenoir September
30, 1910 - August 7, 1995 |
Model Railroader, O (active as a
modeler & a model builder between 1932-1992)
- 1932,
first scale model (see additional comments on this model below)
- 1934,
"Bill Lenoir entered a number of models into an early model railroad contest in Chicago, Illinois, and his
five 1/4" scale models all win." Dan B. Henon, notes
- his first scale model, a New York Central 4-6-4
was chosen for the cover of the then new (1934) Model
Railroader magazine by Al Kalmbach.
- Later
that year the NMRA is formed and early members adopt the first scale standards for the most popular scales: HO,
OO, O, and 1.
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Early Club Member
- Chicago
Society of Model Engineers
- Chicago
Model Guild
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Charter Member of the NMRA (home town listed as Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 1935 NMRA Charter Member Roster)
- Model Railroader magazine's first editorial, in its first issue, published in January 1934, defined the
standardization issue for scale model railroaders and later members of the Model Railroad Club of Milwaukee WI,
invited model railroaders from all over the USA to a "National Convention" to be held over Labor Day
weekend, 1935. Over 70 pioneers at that convention signed a charter on September 1, 1935, which founded the NMRA.
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Early O Scale Related Employment
- 1935-1936, worked for W.K. Walthers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when Walthers' first O-gauge material
was marketed.
- 1936-1937, worked with Scale Model Railways, Huntington, Indiana.
- trucks and locomotive parts.
- 1938-1939, worked with Philip Mates (HAWK)
to develop patterns for an EMD NW-1
diesel switcher model.
- 1940-1941, Bill Lenoir developed the Saginaw
line of Pennsylvania Railroad engines
for the Saginaw Pattern & Manufacturing Company (also know as Saginaw Tool & Pattern Co.), Saginaw, Michigan.
- PRR 4-4-2
- PRR 4-6-0
- PRR 2-8-0
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| Builder/Custom Builder renowned
for his production techniques, locomotive chassis designs, patterns, and custom models. He made 266 models during
his lifetime. Using only the basic dimensions and a photograph, Bill would create a pattern which was visually
the same as the prototype. |
Cincinnati, Ohio shops
- 1937, worked with Jack Ferris on projects for
Scale Model Railways of Huntingdon, Indiana
- famed scratchbuilt Doodlebugs
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| During WW II, Bill served overseas as an ordnance machinist (Italy & the Philippine Islands;
he also served in the reserves retiring in 1968 as a Master Sergeant) in the US Army. For several years after his
return did not wish to continue in the manufacturing arena. Then in late 1940’s, Bill formed a new company and
became president, mechanical draftsman, superintendent and the entire labor force for Lenoir Locomotive Works of
Tampa, Florida. |
- continued building models and custom painting
under the LLW label until his retirement in 1987.
- All of his locomotives were built from the same
blueprints used to build the real locomotives by such companies as Baldwin, Lima, Alco and other locomotive builders.
- At his peak, Bill could turn out a locomotive
in five or six weeks.
- In his early years, Bill scratch built all of
the parts needed for an engine. Later, as good quality castings became available, he used commercial parts to speed
construction. He could machine anything he needed in his well-equipped shop, often supplying parts to other manufacturers
such as Lobaugh or Athearn.
- Friends note that his favorite locos were: CGW
2-10-4 and Erie Class K-5 (circa 1936).
- Favored Materials: Brass, Solder, Cast Iron.
- Favored Model Paints: Automotive Lacquers.
- Lettering: Hand lettering using a slow-drying
enamel.
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1940s, worked with George Hines (Hines Lines)
- trucks and parts.
- C&O Kanawa 2-8-4
- PM Berkshire 2-8-4
- During this same period he made patterns for major
parts of the Erie S-4 2-8-4; N-1 2-8-2; K-5 and K-5a 4-6-2. Also created patterns for the CGW 2-10-4 and 4-6-0.
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| 1950s, created the EMD GP-7 Phase I for an Atlantic Coast Line Display. The patterns for this model were later sold to F.A. Simmons
(Kansas City Kits) along with those for the USRA 2-8-2. [2002 update, 1985 these were sold to Henry Pearce whose
estate sold remaining patterns and molds to Bob Stevenson of the Stevenson Preservation Lines (see below).] |
The last commercial locomotive was an Erie Class K-4b 4-6-2.
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The last locomotive he was building for himself was a CGW K-5 4-6-2.
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| Bob Stevenson of St. Charles, Illinois opened the Stevenson Preservation Lines in 2000. The company began advertising Lenoir products in 2001. |
Author
- 200 & 1 model locomotives, by William J. Lenoir. [n.p.,
1971] 64 p. (chiefly illus.) 16 x 24 cm. LOC# 79029360 (manuscript) CALL NUMBER: TJ630.L45 Available in Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Selfpublished.
RARE.
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Additional Reading:
- Memories of a Master Builder - Wm. J. Lenoir 1910-1995"
48/ft, O Scale News, OSN 129 1995 pg. 32. Gate VI Publishing Inc.; Elmhurst,
Illinois.
- This is not an obituary, instead this was an overview
of Bill's life and models written by his friends. Contains information on Lenoir models, methodology and more.
Many photos.
- "20th Century Masters, The Locomotives of
Bill Lenoir" by Greg Heier. 48/ft,
O Scale News, OSN 155 pp. 35. Gate VI
Publishing Inc.; Elmhurst, Illinois.
- More photos and information on Lenoir models.
- "A New Iowa Home for William J. Lenoir's
Train Collection & Layout: A New Railroad Display" by Joy Forsberg. 48/ft, O Scale News, OSN
157, pg. 16. Gate VI Publishing Inc.; Elmhurst, Illinois.
- Short article and photos of the new Lenoir Museum
display in Iowa (see also Permanent Displays).
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Finally… a Hall of Fame member with a museum
display
- Permanent display opened 2001
- Chicago Great Western RR: the late William J.
Lenoir’s O Scale Model Train Collection and Layout.
- Over 200 pieces displayed.
- layout operates when visitors are in the room.
- great graphics on website allowing full view of
layout room.
- Open: Wed through Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 1 pm
to 4 pm
- Cost: free.
- Managed by the Cedar Falls Historical Society,
Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum, 308 W 3rd St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613; (319) 266-5149
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