In memoriam: Peter Jones

[Rene Schweitzer]

I'm very saddened to report that Peter Jones has passed away due to complications from cancer. We only recently learned he was very ill, but did not know the severity of the illness.

His last column will run in the August issue.

 Rene

[vsmith]

Thats really sad news, I really enjoyed reading his articles and will miss them.

[Great Western]

 This is, indeed, sad news.   Peter and his interesting and entertaining writings will be certainly missed both sides of the Atlantic and father afield I am sure.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I'm very saddened to hear this. I've always enjoyed his columns and his approach to the hobby.

[SandyR]

I am deeply saddened to read of Peter Jones' death. He was an original thinker, a great writer, and a boon to the hobby. I will miss his column greatly. My condolences to his family. And to all of us in the garden railway world to whom he meant so much.

SandyR

[kstrong]

A definite loss for GR's readership, and the greater hobby in general. Few railroads captured a sense of "place" the way Peter could, and he had an almost lyrical way of conveying it in print. I'll definitely miss that. My condolences to his family. Later, K

[Rene Schweitzer]

 A little history for those who might not be aware:

Peter's work has been in every issue of GR since the first issue. Before the magazine, Marc Horovitz had a newsletter called the Sidestreet Banner. Peter wrote articles for some of those newsletters too.

 I will miss his friendly, witty, correspondence emails too.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Here is a recent photo he submitted to us, about a monthh ago:

 

[smcgill]

Yes very sad indeed. His cancer was a sneeky one! Sorry to hear that. Sean

[ttrigg]

My condolences to his family.

[Rex in Pinetop]

Peter will be missed.  Add my condolences to his family.

Rex

[SNOWSHOE]

I have only been in the hobby for a little over a year but I enjoyed his articles. Very sad news.  I have been hearing too much about poeple being diagnosed with Cancer in the last year.  Very scary. My condolence to his family.

[Camaro1967]

 I have very much enjoyed his articles the last five years since my entrance into garden railroading.  Even though his topics were a long way from my narrow interest, I truly enjoyed his writing style, best described above by Kevin.

I truly hope that GR will publish a fitting obituary and testimonial to him and his wonderful work. 

Paul

[mtm1site]

  My condolences to his Family and his extended Family at Garden R.R.  Been a suscriber since 1999 & enjoyed all Peters Articles.     Tom

[ztribob]

I don't know how many years I've subscribed to GR, but it's been several and before that I bought it on the new stands every time I saw it.  When I first came across Peter Jones' articles I didn't care for them, but I read them anyway because they were well written.  As the years when by I found that I started to look forward to his articles.  This last year or so I have found them to be one of my favorite parts of the magazine.  I will miss his writing.  The hobby has lost a valuable friend.

Bob

 

[powlee]

Very sad news. I always enjoyed his articles. He will be a great loss to the magazine and a greater loss to garden railways. May I add my condolences to his family.

[Anonymous]

!

That was always my favorite part of the magazine, unless there was an article I really liked, then it was a tie.

[g. gage]

I’ve been a GR subscriber since 1992. At first I wasn’t a regular reader of Peter Jones, but as time went on he won me over. Since Rene’s announcement I’ve been rereading Peter’s pieces and come away with the same thoughts, why didn’t I think of that.

 

I’m saddened by his passing and wish condolences to his family.

 

Rob

 

[Mojave Oasis]

I would like to add my condolences to his family. I enjoyed reading his articles.

JIM

[Takasaki Matt]

Peter will be much missed this side of the Pacific too!

Anyone without a copy of his book 'Practical Garden Railways' should get one. 

Recently, while at the 16mm Narrow Gauge Garden Railway show in Stoneleigh (UK), I was to be found sitting on the floor sifting through old back issues of SMT (Sixteen Milimeter Today, the association magazine) looking for Compton Down articles, oblivious to all around me.

We will miss you Peter.

Best regards in sadness,

Matthew Foster

[steamdonkey]

Very sad news. Peter Jones had such a unique yet pragmatic approach to the hobby and the notion of creating vignettes that 'feel right' as opposed to building scale models. Please run the orange-hair photo one more time. R.I.P. /PhM

[GP-9_Man11786]

 I've always enjoyed reading his column. My condolences to his family.

[Rene Schweitzer]

 A small update: I've received a couple of emails from his family. I thought I would share this link:

 

http://www.comptondown.co.uk/news.html

 

The family has information on donating to charities in his memory, and a guestbook visitors can sign.

[crackingjob]

Peter was generous and always willing to share ideas. even though we on met briefly we emailed each other for a short time and he was full of praise for my efforts. Atmosphere, colour, smells!!, steam and the effect were important but being happy with your railway was paramount. No cheque book modelling with Peter it was unique, hands on and the thrill of creating something from stuff others would ignore. He also had the distinction of being known as a Railway/Railroad modeller both sides of the Pond..a very special position.

What is the best way to remember him...remember something special and take it as a gift and use that gift to encourage or help another

as for Peter..for me it will be Colour, Atmosphere, generous, willing to share, never critical, always supportive and encouraging, being different.....I hope i can pass those things on.

Crackingjob

 

[proberts]

I will really miss Peter's dry wit and wonderful sense of humour!! In a world sometimes filled with bad news, he was a breath of fresh air and a clarion call to not take ourselves too seriously! His article was always the first thing read when GR arrived at the door. My sympathies to his family.   Paul Roberts Parksville,B.C.

[silverstatespecialties]

I only just learned of Peter Jones' passing today when I received the August issue of GR.  What a blow; Peter was my single greatest influence in outdoor railroading, and he will be sorely missed.

 I have an ugly job, in which I deal with the less-than-pleasant realities of life and human relationships.  Peter helped me keep my perspective, with his wonderful writings and shared insights & experiences.  I am sad that I never had the pleasure of meeting him.  Whenever I received my copy of GR, I would go straight to his "Scribblings" column and read with delight.

 I like how Peter could find the wonder in the smallest things, or the smallest details, and how so many ideas and positive outcomes could result from something so small.  I suppose he touched many people in different ways.

My most sincere condolences go out for his family & loved ones; my family will keep you all in our thoughts & prayers.

Rest in peace Peter; you may be gone, but you will not be forgotten.

[seacoast]

I just recieved the August issue. I am very sorry to hear of Peter Jones passing.  I enjoyed reading about his whimisical garden railway. My conolences go to his family.

 

George