Allen McClelland has passed

[RickBacon]

Sad news; the fonder of the famous V&O model railroad, Allen McClelland passed away Friday, October 28th, 2022.

[david]

Sad news indeed. Allen was a kind and gracious friend. The hobby has lost a titan. There's not an operations-oriented layout today that does not include parts of his model railroading legacy.

According to Tony K, Allen suffered a serious stroke on Thursday and died the following afternoon. His mind was sharp until the end. We're all rejoicing that he did not suffer a prolonged illness.

Tony has a McClelland tribute book coming out in January. Allen was able to see and approve the full color pdf of the book and read the accolades of his friends before he passed. Thank goodness.

David

[RickBacon]

Rush job on the workbench…getting ready for the next ops session.

I think a tribute car for Allen is appropriate to add to the A&O fleet. I used some K4 decals for the V&O logo, road name and reporting marks. The data and weight marks are from various custom decal remnants. A fun Easter egg; the re-weigh marks are off Bob Sobel’s New River & Western! The car is a Weaver AAR 70 ton offset hopper. I followed the HO custom decorated cars by Accrual made for the NMRA 7th Division. These were “approved” by Allen himself. After a light weathering, some hand drawn “chalk marks” will memorialize Allen McClelland.

[david]

Very fun, Rick. A great addition to our fleet. I'll make up a car card for it for Turkey Ops on the 25th so we can place it in a prominent coal drag. Perhaps as part of pickups at D&K Dock for #400, the "Scarlet Shifter."

David

[RickBacon]

Allen’s tribute car is ready for next week.

[Craig]

Looks great Rick.

[david]

V&O #1860 is about to be pulled from the Hawkins Loadout on the Kayford branch. Scene is from this year's Turkey Ops, the Friday after Thanksgiving.
David

[RickBacon]

Super cool picture Boss!  Looks pretty cool on the cover of the club newsletter too!

[ijmunro]

Hi

Are you likely to post any photographs of the Thanksgiving ops session. This is the only way your fans from far away can see progress on the railroad.

Thanks, Ian

[RickBacon]

Hey Ian!

There is an ops session this coming Saturday.  I'll make it a point to get some shots.  I think my son took some photos during Turkey Ops, I'll see what he has too.