Pat Neil of Collectible Trains & Toys has passed away

[Crabby44]

I have been away from the forum for a while and I just heard about Pat's passing. I am so sorry for Cheri and his family. It was always a pleasure to visit his store in Forney. He would share his knowledge of trains and the train business in general with everyone who walked in. He will be missed.

[Eric48237]

I recently visited the store (his garage) to see the remnants

of selling almost all of his inventory. Was always a pleasure

to shop and visit. Knew Pat when he had his store on Skillman

Avenue in Dallas. Long time and many great stories ago.

Pat will be missed for sure.

[balidas]

My belated condolences.

[sailboatman100]

Great story of a great man, sorry to hear of his passing.

I knew of him being a local buyer in his shop.

He had great story of his wold travels and would tell them to us locals.

a last story was of g-scale k-line, alone in his garage in his swivel chair.

I and the world will miss him.

John K

Carrollton TX

[ChiefEagles]

Prayers.

[Hudson#685]

Prayers for Pat and his family.

[anjdevil2]

[rtraincollector]

Prayers for him and his family

[Carl Swanson]

We received the following email from Cheri Neil, wife of Pat Neil, of Collectible Trains & Toys in Forney, Texas, reporting on the passing of her husband. The staff of CTT extends its condolences to Cheri and the Neil family.

Carl 

JAMES PATRICK “PAT” NEIL

12/06/47 – 6/15/13

The owner and founder of Collectible Trains & Toys, Inc., Pat Neil, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2013, from a very short but brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Pat loved trains and cars from a very early age, beginning with his first Marx train set at age 7, graduating to a Lionel Santa Fe a few years later, then on to an N scale layout he set up in his room at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house at East Texas State University. He put a 773 Hudson on layaway at Bobbye Hall’s Hobby House in Dallas, then proceeded to write a hot check to get it out because he just couldn’t stand leaving it there every time he made a payment! His wife Cheri worked at the bank, thank goodness, and was able to cover the overdraft, and decided it was time for Pat to have his own “Train Account”, begun with $75 and checks with a little train on them.

Thus began an adult life of collecting, buying, selling, admiring, and educating any and all things trains…model or real-life.  Pat joined the TCA in 1973, followed by membership in the LCCA, TTOS, LOTS, and others. He was Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the North Texas Chapter and the Lone Star Division of the TCA, and on the Board of the Division for many years. Pat was Chairman of the TTOS National Convention in Dallas in 1989, and Co-Chairman of the 1996 TCA National Convention. He was instrumental in reviving and guiding the North Texas Chapter several years ago to the vibrant group it is today.

In 1981, Pat decided to live the dream of all train collectors, and opened his own train store.  He and Cheri sold trains out of their dining room, until Cheri said they looked like drug dealers, so in October, 1981, they opened their doors in a small shop in the Medallion Shopping Center in Dallas, where they expanded to almost 10,000 sq ft, in 21 years, and Collectible Trains & Toys became the premier train store in the Southwest, and one of the top stores in the nation.

After several more moves and changes during the next nine years, Pat and Cheri semi-retired to the tiny town of Forney, TX, with their house on the country road, and a 4,000 sq ft train store behind it.

Pat was recognized locally and nationally as an expert in Lionel prewar and postwar, Ives, Marklin prewar O gauge, early Hornby O, Bing, and other European models. He had extensive collections of these pieces over the years, selling them to move on to the next adventure! He loved learning about the origins of the old manufacturers, the details and variations of everything they did, and he loved sharing this information with anyone who would listen. Pat was very generous with his vast knowledge of trains and their history, as so many train collector friends can attest to.  He was a story teller at heart -- he loved sharing his success stories, as well as laughing at his goof-ups!

Pat was also a quiet contributor to modern manufacturers such as Lionel, K-Line Electric Trains, MTH, Marklin, Weaver, Atlas O, and others. He was sought out by many of these companies for his expertise and for his business sense and advice for what would really sell. Some listened, and some didn’t, but Pat was proven right almost every time!

Pat was a mentor to many younger train fans all over the world.  He loved teaching these guys all that he had learned, and he enjoyed watching their growth in their hobby and their business.  He “held court” many times at the York, PA train show, in his hotel room, in the parking lots, at his table in the Purple, Black, and Orange halls -- so many would stand by to listen to an explanation, a description, or another great story. All the time Pat was swaying with his arms behind his head! He loved York, which he attended 76 consecutive times, beginning in October, 1974. All the great camaraderie, the incredible crab cakes, the room hopping, being the first to find the “rare” piece – the York meets were some of the happiest and most memorable times of his life.

His last train ride was only three days before his death, as “engineer” in the cab of the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy no. 4018, preparing for her trip to her new home at the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, TX, an incredible Bucket List event for him and his family and friends.

Pat was an adoring husband to wife Cheri, the love of his life, who he met at age 17 in high school.  They would have celebrated 44 years of marriage on June 18. He was an incredibly loving father to daughters Kelley and Kate, who learned so much working beside him at the train store, and at the drag races, and on car trips all over the country.  And his overwhelming delight and joy in his grandchildren – Mackenzie, Nathan, Jackson, Sean and Cameron – could not be contained.  To say he was proud of his family was an understatement.

Our devastating sorrow has been tempered with countless thoughts and prayers, calls, emails and cards, food and drink, and hugs and kisses from so many friends.  The family will always remember the kindnesses shown, and the sharing of our grief is precious to us all.

Pat is survived by his wife and business partner, Cheri of Forney, TX; daughters and their husbands, Kelley & Mike Dowd of Coral Springs, FL and Kate & Jon Bradham of McKinney, TX; grandchildren Mackenzie & Nathan Bradham, and Cameron, Sean, & Jackson Dowd; cousins Sue Smith, Philip Smith  & Billy Smith of Greenville, TX and Carolyn Creel of Dallas, TX; sisters and brother-in-laws Judy & Bob Christopher and Joel & Tommy Reynolds, all of Dallas, TX; niece Allison Julian and her sons Austin & Tyler, of Carmel, IN; nephews & nieces - Clay & Kristen Christopher and their children Cole, Emma, & Briggs; Alan & Kim Christopher and their children Coady, Kendall, and Callie; David Christopher; John & Karen Christopher.

A private Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held in July.

Any memorials or tributes can be made in Pat’s name to the Museum of the American Railroad, 6455 Page Street, Frisco, TX 75034. [phone].