John Weiss

[Jason Rose]

John Weiss passed last week from pancreatic cancer. He was a dedicated,long-time member of the Friends and made several trips from Houston for Work Sessions every year. He also volunteeed years of his life at the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, LA. And, if that wasn't enough, he was world-class model railroader.

John was also one of the nicest and most genuine gents you'd ever meet.

I'll post some more info later.

I wish you clear tracks ahead, John. You will most certainly be missed.

[Ian Kelly]

That is really sad news. We worked together on the trucks project over several work sessions and his skills making molds for castings will surely be missed. RIP John.

[Jason Rose]

Here is some more information on John.

http://www.redriverandgulf.net/John-Weiss.html

Can any of you share stories for me to add to this?

[John Cole]

So sorry to hear this about John, for those who didn’t know John he was the pattern maker for many of the castings needed to restore many of the projects the Friends work on. Unfortunately Obsolete Train Parts Inc. is long out of business so if we can’t find an old part we would have to make it. This is where John came in making patterns to have parts we needed cast so well detailed that you couldn’t tell the difference between the original and reproduction. A walk through the Friends CRF building if you look at the walls they are covered with the patterns that John has made for the Friends over the years.

One of my best memories of John is when he had to grind all of the flash and smooth up seat castings for the 470 sleeper car the Friends are restoring in Colorado. John wore out many grinding wheels making everything look perfect. John worked for days at this thankless job, and when he had finished the last frame he had covered the floor completely with grindings. Godspeed John, we will miss you and thanks.