Sad Note - B&O Bob
- Bill Shields
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Sad Note - B&O Bob
For those who were not aware, Bob Thomas (Philadelphia area -> Penna Live Steamers) passed away last week at the age of 95
A long, life-time live steamer - he was infected by his father when he was just a child -> and remained so all of his life.
He started 'ground flying' (laying chest down on a riding car' behind his fathers 2.5" gauge steamer before becoming a teenager, and continued to do so on the PLS 2.5" ground track until well into his 80s behind his own B&O 10-wheeler.
I was truly blessed to know him as a friend.
We will miss him greatly.
A long, life-time live steamer - he was infected by his father when he was just a child -> and remained so all of his life.
He started 'ground flying' (laying chest down on a riding car' behind his fathers 2.5" gauge steamer before becoming a teenager, and continued to do so on the PLS 2.5" ground track until well into his 80s behind his own B&O 10-wheeler.
I was truly blessed to know him as a friend.
We will miss him greatly.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
I talked to him once or twice. He seemed like a really nice guy. The article about his dad's railroad that the picture above was taken from is a really interesting read.
- Bill Shields
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
You do not know half of it.
I am going to really miss him. I got a lot from his mentorship over the decades
I am going to really miss him. I got a lot from his mentorship over the decades
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
Bill, Nice article in LS&OR magazine!
That first photo is quite amazing ... laying prone while running his 2 1/2" gauge steam locomotive! It makes my neck hurt!Bill Shields wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:07 pm He started 'ground flying' (laying chest down on a riding car' behind his fathers 2.5" gauge steamer before becoming a teenager, and continued to do so on the PLS 2.5" ground track until well into his 80s behind his own B&O 10-wheeler.
- Bill Shields
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
As the article mentioned...think he was doing that with a recently removed kidney. Bruce took the picture.
.none of us were aware of his recent medical procedure until he was packing up to go home.
It is actually not that uncomfortable. I tried it (stationary) once for giggles. Being some 5" taller than Bob, made his setup unworkable, but I could see where it had advantages .
I just sit cross legged on the riding car and reach the throttle and fire door without problem since it it a relatively short tender
.none of us were aware of his recent medical procedure until he was packing up to go home.
It is actually not that uncomfortable. I tried it (stationary) once for giggles. Being some 5" taller than Bob, made his setup unworkable, but I could see where it had advantages .
I just sit cross legged on the riding car and reach the throttle and fire door without problem since it it a relatively short tender
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
So sorry for the loss of your friend Bill.
- JBodenmann
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
Hello My Friends
Could someone perhaps post the article.
Jack
Could someone perhaps post the article.
Jack
- Bill Shields
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
I think the author can find it...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
It was about 15 years ago that it was published in the Home Railway Journal. I have it and will post it.
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
Next two pages:
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- Article-pg 18.jpg (508.33 KiB) Viewed 1168 times
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
I really like 1/2" scale 2 1/2" gauge locomotives. They are a fascinating size to me.
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- Bill Shields
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Re: Sad Note - B&O Bob
Unfortunately, the full article will not fit - chaski complains about it being too large.
anyone who wants it, e-mail me....bshields at mehrs dot com
or subscribe to LSORR
or go to penna live steamers www site and look at the last 2 Gazettes - the article is there, split into 2 sections.
anyone who wants it, e-mail me....bshields at mehrs dot com
or subscribe to LSORR
or go to penna live steamers www site and look at the last 2 Gazettes - the article is there, split into 2 sections.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.