grid56104 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 It is with very much sadness that I have to record the death of George O'Hara from Prestwick and author of a good few railway titles. He was killed on Thursday when a lorry struck him when he was cycling in Irvine. RIP George. Max Fowler Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Alder Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 A real shame- his collections of Scottish railway photos are treasure troves of a past era. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26power Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Was going to post in "Railways of Scotland" but found this thread, so posted but with a link to this thread. His albums are a tremendous source of inspiration. And I think self published? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitalspark Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Shocked to hear this..more so as I am researching something right now using his excellent books and photographs. Condolences to family and friends..a sad loss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I literally re-found one of George's fantastic collections this afternoon. It had my rapt attention for a good hour when I should have been shifting the contents of a bookcase ready to decorate. It was the one volume that really caught my eye and shouted 'check me out again!' I only discovered his books a few years ago, and was really hoping for more in the same style, they pack so much period detail in, and he's not afraid to include the less common subjects or locations, even if the quality or composition isn't to award-winning standard, just to share the wealth of detail or unusual situations once taken for granted. As a devotee of Scottish, the guy was one of my published heroes. It is terribly tragic for him to be taken in this way, and the genre has been robbed of a great contributor. I unreservedly extend my heartfelt sympathy and best wishes to his family and friends. By his works we shall continue to know him. R.I.P Mr O'Hara. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrel Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-33498390 Very sad news his books are excellent and as someone born after so many of those photos were taken, and so many of the lines closed and locomotives scrapped, I learned a lot from them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black and decker boy Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Such sad news. His books are a great asset. RIP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 And I think self published? Believe so. How sad this news is His memory will live on in the railway world, through the books which have surely become the backbone of any Scottish modeller or railway historian's library. As Chard alludes to, the pictures are not necessarily 'pretty' but they are invaluable due to the broad scope of subjects and locations depicted - many being somewhat out the way and rarely published. His 'blue books' on the BR(Sc) steam and diesel eras, and the older 'Urban and Rural' have been a great education for me in recent years, and I give thanks for that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckymucklebackit Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I spotted the news story yesterday afternoon on the BBC website and my first reaction was "surely not", but sadly I had the info confirmed later in the evening. RIP George you will be sadly missed. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andania 213 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Very sad news, and a horrible thing to happen. The world of transport publishing is all the poorer for his loss. My condolances to his family. RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted July 13, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 13, 2015 Absolutely horrified at this news. It's bad enough when it's natural causes but when it's something like being out enjoying yourself on your bike and been run over.....it just seems so futile. Robbed of your time on this Earth Thoughts go to George's family and friends who must be devastated A sad loss to people interested in transport in Scotland. I have George's books "BR Diesel Traction in Scotland" and he signed his following "BR Steam in Scotland" for me.Both are well used volumes . Lots of interest and almost the bible for railway enthusiasts north of the border. More so than any other photo albums. I also have " 100 Years of Shipping on the River Clyde" which contains great views of Glasgow and the firth when it was busy with shipping. I was looking forward to more books from George because they would almost certainly have been of interest. Just so sad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Awful to hear of this. I too spend many pleasurable hours absorbing the detail of his pictures. Many condolences to his family. RIP George Regards Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 2mmMark Posted July 13, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 13, 2015 Very sad news. I've got the various albums of photos George produced and they are full of inspiring information. RIP George. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaddeus Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Truly sad news Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven156 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I was saddened to hear about his passing. His Diesel Traction in Scotland book was absolutely superb, the kind of book you could take the time to read again and again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david12345 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Just read about this sad news. His books were excellent and I had heard that he had another book in the pipeline. A sad loss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Sad news. As well as his railway titles he also wrote about Clyde shipbuilding, indeed his "Ironfighters, outfitters and bowler hatters" is one of the definitive texts on the subject. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grid56104 Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Just read about this sad news. His books were excellent and I had heard that he had another book in the pipeline. A sad loss. I know George was working on another book on Scottish Diesels (he had taken some of my class 56 and 60 photos for possible inclusion) but I know he was working on some other books aswell and he had indicated these would come first. Perhaps some of his closer friends will know much better how far George had taken the Scottish Diesels Title and hopefully one of them may be able to take it on and finish it as a tribute to George. Max Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david12345 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I seen a nice obituary to him, in todays Glasgow Herald. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Wignib Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 All, Thank you for your kind words regarding the untimely death of my father, George O'Hara. It is of some comfort that his complete works, all signed by the author, have pride of place in my library. I understand that he was working on another title at the time of his death. I would be interested in hearing, in good time, from any of you who may have collaborated with George as regards source materials for his book. Thanks and best regards, Kenneth O'Hara. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevolvingWords Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 George was due to speak at Revolving Words in October on his books documenting the Scottish Railway Scene. Although I had not met him, I had had the pleasure of talking to him about the arrangements over the phone and was very much looking forward to meeting him and hearing him speak. Our condolences to his wife, son and daughter at this tragic loss. The Wensleydale Railway Association (Trust) will always be grateful for the generosity he showed in the past in donating his books to support our fundraising efforts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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