Sorry to hear of Mel's passing. I loved looking at pictures of his Southern Pacific models and layout. He helped me out with a rotary snowplow as I model both Santa Fe and Southern Pacific, and also live in California. Rest in Paradise.
I've only been here for a year or two since getting back into the hobby. Yet, Mel's posts were ones that caught my eye every time. His conversion of Atlas #6 turnouts into a 2" center-spaced double crossover is outstanding. I archived all his webpage documentation some months ago and will definitely try it.
His signature was notable - "aging is definitely not for wimps." That implied he was advanced in age and perhaps suffering, too, so this thread was on the horizon. I still didn't want to see it.
Rest In Peace, Mel.
I hope Mel's wife knows what a force Mel was on the Forum.
Rich
Alton Junction
danmerkelSome of you might be interested to know that I spoke with Mel's wife recently and she was doing OK at the time. She is quite the lady.
Hi Dan,
Thank you for taking the time to keep in touch with Mel's wife. People like you make the world a better place.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Some of you might be interested to know that I spoke with Mel's wife recently and she was doing OK at the time. She is quite the lady.
dlm
Mel was a prime example of what can be good about the hobby; a most helpful, positive and expert contributor to the community. I enjoyed my active participation from 2010 to this year even more due to help and interesting input from Mel. My condolences to the family and his personal friends.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Like everyone else I too am saddened by Mel's passing. When I was going through the MR forum topics and I saw his name, I would always stop and read what he had to say. I loved looking at the pictures of his SP models and his painted "little people". I think of all the contributors on MR's forums, I think Mel would have made an excellent editor/writer for MR itself.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Jeff B
Mel was one of the good ones. RIP
I am amazed at the work that Mel did at age 85 on his kitbashed SP lounge car. Cutting and splicing, LED lighting, adding figures. With arthritis.
I am new to his blog; hope it stays up a while so I can catch up on what is now his legacy.
He was always gracious on this forum. Condolences to his family and friends.
I too will miss Mel. He was one of my model railroading heroes, a guy who kindly taught us how he performed the many wonderful things he did. An inspiration to us all. Thank you Mel. May you rest in peace and blessings to your family.
Ahw, the thread I've been fearfully anticipating.
I can only agree with all the forgoing, with little to add.
There's this: When I had a question about Southern Pacific's fonts on their locomotives, my road too, who came forward with the (pronounced thee) ACCURATE answer?
Yup.
My sincere condolences to all who loved Mel.
Dan
This is sad news.
Highball up ahead Mel.
Godspeed.
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
Count me as one of the many that looked forward to Mel contributing to a thread. I will miss him.
My condolences, and may he rest in peace.
Tom
Very sorry to learn of Mel's passing. He provided so much experienced knowledge on this forum. I especially appreciated all of the experience, advice and research he shared regarding repowering projects. A great loss to us all!
Hornblower
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
When the post went up earlier - "Hey-wheres Mel?" I kinda got a bad feeling too. Im sorry to see now the reason why. My condolences to his loving wife, and family.
Our paths didnt cross that much, and when they did it was always train related. Couple quick phone calls, couple emails, few posts back and forth. Just the friendly commraderie that is one of the core beliefs of this very unique hobby. Mel was a good guy, helped many and im sure wouldve made that many more if he had the choice.
Hopefully, somewhere in the world, on the day we lost Mel, may there have been born a Railfan that can follow in his 'tracks'.
Clear Ahead Mel!
Respectfully,
Douglas C.
PM Railfan
Truly sad news indeed. To his wife, family, and all his RR friends here my deepest condolences.
Similar to what I commented when Randy Rinker passed, Mel's contributions here on the forum, and to model railroading in general, are exceeded by none. I'm sure Mel forgot more about modeling than I'll ever know. But much more importantly to me was the character of Mel. He was always, always willing to offer help and suggestions. Never condescendin, always positive to all. I never spoke with Mel, nor even pm with him, but I feel I know him , that he was a friend. The individual help he offered me when I posted was not just spot on, but it seemed to make a connection to me personally. Just as a friend would. A true gentleman, I can't ever remember another member being critical to Mel in any way here on the forum. I'm sure he will be missed by all, no more than me.
Rest In Peace Mel, you have earned it. Wish nothing but all green signals on your next run.
As you have all said, such terribly sad news to hear of Mel's passing. He was one of the big reasons why I enjoyed reading this forum. His information and helpful advice were always spot on.
I was stuck with a problem and emailed him for advice. He immediately offered to call me on the phone to work on the problem and we wound up talking over an hour with me trying to absorb as much info as I could!
We had another conversation about how he makes his Mel figures along with wiring ideas for my layout among other things. We both groused about a certain person who has since been banned from this forum.
He was a true gentleman with a sincere interest to help his fellow modelers and I am so very sad that he is now gone.
This community has lost a great man.
- charles
I am sad to learn of Mel's passing. After the other thread was started last week, I emailed Mel to ask him how he was doing and to let him know that we were missing him on the forum. When I did not hear back, I became concerned so I morbidly started checking obituaries. When nothing showed up, I continued to hope for the best.
Mel was one of the most influential members of the forum. His electronic skills were extraordinary and he was a master at using resin casting to make "little people" as he called them. One of Mel's most impressive feats in my opinion was the creation of a double crossover using four Atlas Code 83 #6 turnouts all soldered together. It turned out to be a flawless masterpiece.
He will surely be missed on this forum. Rest in peace, Mel.
I will miss Mel, he was an inspiration to all. Rest in peace.
Sheldon
Thanks Kevin.
hon30critterKevin, can you add him to the RIP track please?
Of course.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Dan,
Thank you for passing on the sad news. Please express my condolences to his family.
Every time I saw a post from Mel I knew it would be interesting and informative. His posts were something to look forward to.
He was a creative modeler. I loved the way he powered his illuminated vehicles so that they could be easily moved around the layout. He was a master at creating figures and interiors, and at the use of Arduino technology.
He will be missed. Like others have said, he was one of the good guys!
Kevin, can you add him to the RIP track please?
dlm, Thanks for posting this sad news. They don't make em' like Melvin anymore. I'll never forget his kind words and the wonderful way he made me feel good about myself. Miss you Mel. My sincere condolences to his family. Respectfully, Peter
Sorry to hear of his passing, the physical journey is over, Rest in Peace. Thanks to the OP for sharing this with the railroad modeling forum.
To his family and friends, my sincere condolences.
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
I shared emails back and forth with Mel almost from the time that I first joined this forum. He was remarkable with his talents for tiny details, and his pure love of model railroading.
In 2019 I made a trip to California, and I spent two days in Bakersfield. I was supposed to visit Mel, but he became very ill, and I was not able to meet up with him. That was a missed opportunity that I will always be sad about.
Mel was suffering a lot more than he let on when he posted in here. He always tried to be upbeat and positive with the people here, but in real life he was very frustrated with how he was deteriorating.
He valued his relationships with the people here, and loved this forum.
I was very saddened to hear of Mel's passing, an accomplished modeller and one willing to share his knowledge with all of us.
May he rest in peace, and my condolences to his wife and family.
Wayne
Mel was a large contributer in helping answer my constant questions on this forum. He has inspired me greatly with his creative solution and work. I will miss him a lot...may his family finds peace.
Regards,
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
So sorry to hear. He was very helpful to me and his patience showed through my thick head.
RIP Mel,
Richard