The Model Railroader Hall of Fame August nominees are all part of the Kalmbach Media (formerly Kalmbach Publishing Co.) family tree. Though all three men worked here, each impacted model railroading in a different way. Jim Hediger shared his modeling tips and techniques with readers for more than 40 years. Michael Stephens, a second-generation Kalmbach employee, was instrumental in the formation of the World’s Greatest Hobby campaign and later held high-ranking positions with Athearn Trains and Wm. K. Walthers Inc. George Drury, a 25-year veteran of Kalmbach, created our company’s railroad library that many hobby manufacturers still use today to research locomotives, freight cars, and structures.
James D. Hediger (1942-2024)
With 43 years of service, James D. (Jim) Hediger was one of the longest tenured members of the Model Railroader staff. During his time with the magazine he wrote more than 750 columns, product reviews, and stories for the magazine.
After graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit with a bachelor’s degree in industrial education, Jim taught machine shop, printing, and wood shop in the Dearborn (Mich.) School District. He later earned a master’s degree in industrial education from Eastern Michigan University.
Jim joined the MR staff in the summer of 1972. After moving to Wisconsin he began work on his HO scale Ohio Southern layout. The original, single-deck version appeared in the July 1978 MR. When Jim and his family moved to Sussex, Wis., he started work on the pioneering double-deck version of the OS. The model railroad is recognized as one of the first, if not the first, practical double-deck model railroads ever built.
Jim retired from MR in August 2015. He passed away on February 9, 2024, at the age of 81.
Michael R. Stephens (1953-2013)
Trains were a part of Michael R. Stephens’ life from a young age. His father, Hugh Stephens, was Vice President — Sales for Kalmbach Publishing Co. in the 1950s and early 1960s. Michael would later go on to work for Amro Ltd., his father’s company, which imported model trains from European manufacturers.
Michael was a second-generation Kalmbach employee. In the 1970s he was on the staff of Airliners International. He left the company for a time to pursue careers in advertising and marketing, returning in 1998 as Vice President — Marketing. Michael played a key role in the development of the World’s Greatest Hobby campaign during his second stint with Kalmbach.
In 2007 Michael became President of Athearn Trains. Three years later, he was named Vice President of Proprietary Products at Wm. K. Walthers Inc. in Milwaukee. During his tenure at Walthers, he helped rebrand the company’s product lines and develop a variety of products.
Michael died on April 9, 2013 after a lengthy illness. He was 59 years old.
George H. Drury (1940-2013)
Model Railroader readers most likely remember George Drury for his articles on modeling passenger cars and stations. But during his 25 years with Kalmbach, George made many valuable contributions to both the prototype and model railroad communities.
George joined Kalmbach as a copy editor in the Books Department in 1972. From 1975 to 1992 he served as company librarian. In that role, he took the company’s loosely organized collection of books, photos, and reference materials and created one of the nation’s top railroad libraries.
When George returned to the Books Department in 1992, he compiled the Guide to North American Steam Locomotives, The Historical Guide to North American Railroads, The Train-Watcher’s Guide to North American Railroads, and Guide to Tourist Railroads and Museums.
Following his retirement in 1997, George became a freelance author and columnist. He also led rail tours.
George passed away on June 21, 2013. He was 73 years old.
Time to vote
You can vote for the Model Railroader Hall of Fame August nominees using this link. Voting is cumulative, not one nominee per month. The inaugural class of the Model Railroader Hall of Fame will be announced in the December 2024 issue.
