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Andy Sperandeo has passed away

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  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,904 posts
Posted by csxns on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:30 PM

Sorry to here this he will be missed by me Andy i have enjoyed him for a long time reading Model Railroader.

Russell

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 89 posts
Posted by Jack Derby on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:34 PM

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!  You may as well say that John Allen has died all over again! Andy was just as important to the hobby today as John was all those years ago.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Posted by JoeinPA on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:44 PM

A sad day for our hobby and particularly for the guys a Kalmbach. He will be missed by all of us who have been in the hobby for several years but I am sure that some of the newer members of our fraternity will feel the loss too. I will especially miss the Operators column. My condolences to his family and the Kalmbach staff.

Joe Knapp

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,034 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 3, 2015 2:47 PM

Two of my all-time favorite model railroading books were authored by Andy, The Model Railroader's Guide to Passenger Equipment & Operation and The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards.

So, he may be gone, but not forgotten.  His memory and his skills live on in his writings.

He will be missed.  My condolences as well to his family.

And to Steven Otte, a very touching tribute to Andy.

Rich 

Alton Junction

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    November 2013
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Posted by DAVID FORTNEY on Saturday, October 3, 2015 3:21 PM

A very nice man and a great modeler. He will be missed. R.I.P. Andy. 

You are now with the holy father and you no longer be in pain, only joy. 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Mississippi
  • 194 posts
Posted by maandg on Saturday, October 3, 2015 3:23 PM

I am very saddened by this news. While I never had the honor of meeting or speaking with him in person, we did correspond via email on numerous occasions through the years. As a native of New Orleans, he provided me invaluable help in modeling both Union Passenger Terminal and the Clara Street Tower on my MA&G. I also very much appreciated his interest in having me write my two articles in Great Model Railroads magazine. The hobby has lost a true icon today. My deepest condolences and prayers for his family and the entire staff at Model Railroader and Kalmbach Publishing. I'll miss you, Andy.

Cliff Powers

www.magnoliaroute.com

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, October 3, 2015 3:57 PM
What a sad start to a Sunday morning. My deepest condolences to Andys family; sitting with a loved one fighting and then succumbing to cancer is no picnic.
Through his writing, his knowledge will live on to continue inspiring current and future modellers, and also show that he was another “Good Bloke”.

Craig the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 3,006 posts
Posted by ACY Tom on Saturday, October 3, 2015 4:06 PM

 

Storm

Andy was a major force in the perpetuation of Al Kalmbach's vision for the magazine.   The month-to-month goal was always to maintain the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and literacy.  The greatest tribute his successors can give, will be to continue that tradition.  As for MR's readers, the best tribute we can offer is to maintain the wholesome, mutually supportive fellowship he espoused.

May we always remember him with affection and gratitude.

Tom

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Saturday, October 3, 2015 4:21 PM

My sincere condolences to his family and friends. This is a terrible loss to the railfan and model railroader community and he will be missed. He had a wealth of information and was very good at sharing it.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,231 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, October 3, 2015 5:04 PM

There are so many things that make model railroading a great hobby and he was one of them. His contributions will live on for a very long time.

                                      A whistle blows long and low

                                      and with a tear we will let you go

                                      We'll meet again in a special place

                                       where we'll run our trains

                                       with a smile on our face

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,233 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, October 3, 2015 5:15 PM

A sad loss to the Model Railroad community.

My condolences go out to Andy's family and his friends at Kalmbach and the people who knew and loved him.

A grievous loss, indeed...

Ed

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Franconia, NH
  • 3,130 posts
Posted by dstarr on Saturday, October 3, 2015 5:53 PM

Very sorry to hear this.  Andy's writing in MR was inspired, I read it all.  I met him once at model railroading event in Massachusetts many years ago.  My sincere condolences to his family and friends. 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
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Posted by Randy Stahl on Saturday, October 3, 2015 6:18 PM

Who couldn't call Andy a friend ?

 

He will be missed. my coldolences to the gang at Kalmbach and model railroader magazine.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Saturday, October 3, 2015 6:26 PM

This is a sad day.  My condolences to Andy's family and friends. 

He has been a valued part of MR for so long, it will seem strange going forward without him.  I will miss his columns and articles.

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    October 2015
  • 1 posts
Posted by Tom Hokel Pine Ridge RR on Saturday, October 3, 2015 6:49 PM
Well, this is really sad. R.I.P., Andy. He will be greatly missed.
 
Andy was such a great guy and contributor to our hobby. I briefly spoke with him at an NMRA Convention and Train Show at the Long Beach, CA Convention Center in 1996. I had my grandson with me. When I ask him if anything had survived the GD fire, Andy mentioned that he had the original GD #34 and said to stop by his office anytime to see it. He was so kind to us both.
 
Andy had been on my mind lately as I was working on some HO scale 1940-50 era AT&SF locos and rolling stock.
  • Member since
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  • From: Finger Lakes
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Posted by howmus on Saturday, October 3, 2015 6:58 PM

My deepest condolences to all of you at Kalmbach Publishing and to his friends and family.  Andy was truely one of the great voices both in and for this hobby of ours. 

I will miss his columns in MR knowing his influence and help to others will live on for a long, long time.

Will keep Andy and all of you in my prayers!

73

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,583 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, October 3, 2015 7:32 PM

Very sad news indeed.

My condolences to his family and to his partners at Model Railroader.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
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Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Saturday, October 3, 2015 7:39 PM

I'm deeply saddened to learn this news... My sincere condolences and prayers for Andy's familiy and the Model Railroader staff.

I recall Andy's occasional posts here in the forum. He would end some posts with "So long". ....... 

So long, Andy........ We miss you. 

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    August 2012
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Posted by Horsenut on Saturday, October 3, 2015 8:05 PM

As many have indicated, even those who had never met him felt a connection with him through his excellent writings. Andy will be much missed.

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • 118 posts
Posted by g&gfan on Saturday, October 3, 2015 8:13 PM

I am truly saddened to hear of Andy's passing. I only got to attend one clinic presented by Andy, it was on improving passenger cars. I have also enjoyed his The Operators column in MR. 

My condolences to Andy's family at home and at MR.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • 179 posts
Posted by LIRRs on Saturday, October 3, 2015 8:24 PM

My deapest sympathy to Andy's family.  He will me missed.

God bless and rest in peace.

Reinhard

 

All the best.

Joe F

  • Member since
    September 2012
  • 107 posts
Posted by shanny10 on Saturday, October 3, 2015 9:03 PM
God bless his family and those at MR. Rest in peace.

Shanny10

B&O, C&O, PRR

Just lovin trains

  • Member since
    October 2011
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Posted by MARTIN STATION on Saturday, October 3, 2015 9:50 PM

   To his family, friends and co-workers, my prayers for coming days. He will be missed by many but the positive impact he had on the hobby and the enjoyment of it that he shared with us all will be be a blessing for years to come.

sincerely, Ralph

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,427 posts
Posted by dknelson on Saturday, October 3, 2015 9:58 PM

Those of us with ties to the layout operating groups in the Milwaukee and Wisconsin area knew this was coming, but it is still sad.   I was shy around him and did not know him at all well, but I had direct knowledge of his thoughtfulness and kindness.  I once gave a clinic the same day he gave one of his clinics to the local NMRA Division and he was kind enough to sit through the other clinicians' talks (something which not all "star" clinicians tend to do).  Mine was about David Barrow's "domino" method of benchwork and layout construction and planning.  I had apologized during my clinic that Barrow's 1995 articles were more on the planning and theory aspects  and not on construction per se, and that I had tried to glean his actual construction methods and dimensions from the articles' drawings and photos and hoped I came close.  Andy was kind enough to come up afterwards and assure me that I had gotten the details correct.

Andy still had a lot to offer us and his premature death is a great loss.  

Dave Nelson 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Moscow, Ar
  • 91 posts
Posted by DGX GP 38 on Saturday, October 3, 2015 10:12 PM
I am sad to hear of Andy passing. His articles, videos, and books were so enjoyable and informative. He will be missed. My sincere condolences for his family as they endure his passing.

Bryan B.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Saturday, October 3, 2015 10:31 PM

As "Keeper of the Flame" in the Diner thread, I have one candle lit to light the way for Andy's "Safe Passage" to his beyond...and the great Roundhouse in the sky.

My condolences to his family and loved ones. My thoughts for his family at MR, at home and for his friends, who will miss him dearly.

May he rest in peace Angel

 

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    April 2002
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Posted by dante on Saturday, October 3, 2015 11:04 PM

I knew Andy only through his most valuable efforts at Kalmbach and much appreciate the knowledge he so graciously and competently shared. I join all the others in our community in offering condolences to his loved ones and associates. He will be sorely missed.

Dante

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 440 posts
Posted by Uncle_Bob on Saturday, October 3, 2015 11:09 PM

I'm very sorry to hear of Andy's passing.  His contributions to the hobby have been numerous.  My condolences to his family, and to everyone at Kalmbach, for their loss.  

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • 427 posts
Posted by Colorado Ray on Saturday, October 3, 2015 11:33 PM

Those of you who knew Andy were fortunate indeed.  Most of us never had the chance.  He will be sorely missed.  Condolences to his family and Kalmbach Staff.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Southern Illinois
  • 67 posts
Posted by JDCoop on Sunday, October 4, 2015 12:08 AM

May Andy's family, friends, and co-workers find peace during this difficult time. My deepest sympathies, condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with you this night.  I grew up reading Andy's work in MR as I was 14 years old when I purchased my first issue in June 1983.  I never had an opportunity to meet him, but it felt like he was extended family as I read his articles and columns every month. He will be missed. 

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