Wow, what a shock! Andy has been at Model Railroader almost as long as I've been in the hobby. I'll remember this day in the same way I remember learning the news that John Allen died.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
So sorry to hear of the death of Andy Sperandeo. Please offer my sincerest condolences to his family and to everyone at Model Railroader.
Here is a YouTube vid from a few years back featuring Andy providing good tips on layout wiring. The sound/motion are out of sync for some reason, but the video is still understandable:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDm2sE5AXYg
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
My condolences to Andy's family and friends. He was truly one of the best ambassadors of the hobby and I learned much from his articles and videos.
John R.
My sincerest condolences to friends, family, and coworkers. Andy will be remembered and missed by many in the hobby, but no one will miss him more so than his closest friends and family. We are all so sorry for your loss.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
dome_lounge As a fellow Santa Fe modeler, Andy was always my favorite member of the MR Staff. His "San Jacinto District" track plan from the February 1980 issue of MR is still the most appealing one I have ever seen - both my previous and current layouts have been based on it. Although I never met him, this is very sad news, and I feel as if I have lost a good friend. Jerry
As a fellow Santa Fe modeler, Andy was always my favorite member of the MR Staff.
His "San Jacinto District" track plan from the February 1980 issue of MR is still the most appealing one I have ever seen - both my previous and current layouts have been based on it.
Although I never met him, this is very sad news, and I feel as if I have lost a good friend.
Jerry
I would like to add the following to my tribute:
Andy's San Jacinto District plan was the "ah-ha" moment for me in the hobby. Being a teenager at the time and conceptually understanding only 4x8's, but being inspired by the V&O series, Andy's creation helped me to understand the concept of bedroom/medium sized shelf layouts. Being a teenager and knowing that beginning my adulthood would never allow me the ability to build a V&O style of layout, Andy's plan really kept my interest in the hobby until I had the space and means to build something of my own.
- Douglas
Sad news. Andy always took the time to monitor these forums and help members when questions were not getting answered. I remember I had a question about the prototypical placement of passenger cars. Andy answered my question quickly and it was apprecieated.
Rest in peace Andy, you will be missed.
Jim
Andy Sperandeo touched so many far and wide thru his wonderful articles and books, I'll never forget him nor his massive contribution to model railroading.
Sincere condolences, Peter
My condolences to Andy's family. He will be missed. DJ.
My deepest condolences to Andy's family and his other family at Kalmbach. He will be missed a great deal and by many.
My condolences, among others. It seems that everytime one turns around, there is another reminder of time's inexorable passing. Another notable joins others in model railroading heaven...sigh!
Cedarwoodron
How sad. My condolences to his family and friends. I've been a fan of Andy's since he first hit MR several years ago. His writings and modeling of the Santa Fe were an inspiration to me since the beginning. His article on detailing the Athearn caboose was a favorite (I built 8 of them).
He was also instrumental in the Santa Fe Modeling & Historical Society, and his work there was just "the best".
It's a sad day for the MR community, and Andy will be sorely missed.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I'll miss him. His was the first column I went to when reading Modelrailroader. He made the complex simple to understand.
My Prayers and condolences to his family.
Andy will surely be missed, his family has my deepest sympathy.
Den.
Back in 1994 or 1995 (I was a college sophmore) on the old Kalmbach/MR website, Andy used to ask a monthly question and folks could answer him in a guestbook-like format. This may have been the first model railroader web "forum" in existance (vs. usenet). I remember I answered his question about how we modelers do operations, marking my first public comment on the internet. How long ago it was...wow.Full steam and high greens, Andy. You'll be missed.
Paul A. Cutler III
Very sad news. My condolences to Andy's family and friends. His contribution to MR will certainly be missed by many modelers.
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
My deepest sympathy to Andy's family and professional associates. I, personally, will miss seeing, "Sperandeo'" under the body of a well-composed, well thought out post on these forums.
The flag over CSN headquarters is at half staff. We have lost one of the greatest.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964; writing about the Confederation Space Navy, circa 3626)
Even though I never knew Andy personally, he was of great influence, and always a good read. He was a credit to the hobby. It feels like another era in the passing.
My condolences to Andy, his family, and his friends. Great model railroaders never drive the train in heaven alone.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Condolences to Andy's family, and to the staff at MR.
JW
Wow. It wasn't too long ago we lost Jeff Wemberly. Now Andy.
Very sad to hear the news. Always enjoyed reading his column.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Such sad news. I remember when Andy joined the Model Railroader staff, and I have enjoyed his contributions to the literature ever since. He had the true gift of teaching without talking down to people.
My condolences to Andy's family, and to the MR staff. I feel like we have all lost a friend.
Neil,
My deepest condolences to Andy's family as well as everyone in the MR family due to his passing. I always enjoyed his column, and he helped me to understand how the prototype operated. Andy will be missed. I have the "all time digital archives" subscription, so I think I'll go back through the archives and read his columns once again.
Jeff B
Sad news that I am very sorry to hear. I enjoyed immensely Andy's contributions. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Andy's family, friends, and the staff at Kalmbach.
A very sad day in the Model Railroading realm.
PM Railfan
I once said in another thread that the big names in this hobby were like rock stars to me. Andy was surely one of the biggest. He will be missed by all who came to know him through his articles, books and presence in the forums. He will be missed even more so by you, his family at Kalmbach. There are no words to ease the pain of loss, but my family and I pray that all who knew and loved Andy will find peace.
Chris Ballinger
Modeling the Clementon Branch of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in HO scale
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Like so many of us, I didn't know Andy personally - but certainly felt I knew him through the pages of MR. My "Andy" favourites: the Washita and Santa Fe project railroad; the San Jancinto track plan - and the trackplan that has influenced every layout I have built: The Jefferson, Memphis and Northern. A true giant that I will miss! My thoughts and prayers to his family and colleagues at Kalmbach.
What sad news. Having had two family members suffer from cancer (one passed away), deep thoughts and prayers sending to family, friends, and coworkers.
Andy also answered my forum questions and wrote very informative books. He definately knew his stuff and made the hobby more enjoyable and engaging.
Thanks for sharing.
I too was shockd to hear of Andy's passing. I remember one time seveal years ago when he sent me a personal email responding to a question I had on this forum.To give that kind of attention to someone like me, a relative newcomer to the hobby at the time, told me a lot about his passion for the hobby as well as his genuine desire to help others. And, like others here, I too will miss his his journalistic abilities and knowledge of railrading and how to apply that to our models. He wll be missed. Thoughts, prayers and condolenes to his family.
When I "found" Model Railroader in the mid '80's, I read and re-read the words of Gordon Odegard, Jim Hediger, and Andy Sperandeo (No disrespect intended to any of the other MR staff at the time). I decided then that these guys were model railroading geniuses and my opinion hasn't changed. With Gordon gone for 24 years (doesn't seem possible), Jim retiring, and now Andy's passing, it seems like my model railroading childhood is definitely over.