Bob Alderman

[Guest Jack Benson]

The BBC website is currently featuring a news story about Bob Alderman who lost his ability to speak due to motor neurone disease in 2017. Many will know Bob from his time as technical officer for the GOG and as a major driving force behind the Yeovil Model Railway Group. I first met Bob in the mid 70s and he was always supportive and great company, his health issues are extreme but Bob remains the same good friend. The BBC story describes his battle against MD and his son's replacement as Bob's 'voice' via a computer.

 

Cheers 

[Phil Parker]

The piece on the BBC can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-somerset-49337857/the-son-giving-the-gift-of-his-voice-to-his-father

[HSB]

Bob is currently building a layout  'Hobson's Brewery' by proxy (i.e. he tells the actual builders what he wants done). He and his team have a thread running about it on the GOG forum. He must find it very frustrating not being able to do any of the work himself after being such an active modeller!

Until a couple of years ago Bob was also a member of the Exeter 0 Gauge Group.

 

Edited August 13, 2019 by HSB

[polybear]

Bob was one of my Tutors at Missenden Abbey some years ago - a top bloke.  At times like this, with all the thoroughly evil B*****ds running around, just how unfair life can be.

Apart from being a top railway modeller, Bob was the Designer in Charge of several export and RN Lynx Helicopter variants at Westland Helicopters Ltd.  The ultimate design signature as he put it!

 

edit:  Info corrected re: Lynx Helicopter, following subsequent post below

Edited June 11, 2020 by polybear

[Dava]

Readers may also remember 'St. Martins Wharf' [RM, June 2018] and 'Albion Quarry' as examples of Bob's fine work. Hoping it may be possible for 'Hobsons Brewery' to be exhibited by in the future.

 

Dava 

[Steve Smith]

The full BBC Points West broadcast clip has been uploaded to Youtube:

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by Steve Smith
Amended title of BBC program to BBC Points West

[Steve Smith]

 

The Yeovil Model Railway Group website now features a collection of photos and videos taken during the construction of Hobson's Brewery.  I have added some words to try to explain some of the thinking behind this masterpiece for those interested. 

 

http://yeovilmrg.org/hobsons-brewery/

 

Steve

YMRG Webmaster

 

[Steve Smith]

Bob has been sorting through his archives, and has turned up his construction notes and photos for this stunning Fowler 4F built from the JLRT kit.  

https://yeovilmrg.org/jlrt-lms-4f-in-finescale-0-gauge/

https://yeovilmrg.org/jlrt-lms-4f-in-0-gauge-part-2/

 

As a bonus he's turned up the same for this brace of Ford Railcars built from the Branchlines kit, as seen on St Martin's Wharf.

https://yeovilmrg.org/branchlines-7mm-ford-railmotor/

 

Steve

YMRG Webmaster

[Steve Smith]

Bob would like to thank you all for your good wishes, but would like me to correct an error regarding his time at Westlands.  Whilst not involved in the development of the BERP blade for the Lynx, he was the Designer in Charge of several export and RN Lynx variants.  The ultimate design signature as he put it!

 

The YMRG website has a very useful yet entertaining collection of Bob's musings on many aspects of model railway construction:

http://yeovilmrg.org/modelling-wisdom/.

 

Steve

YMRG Webmaster

[polybear]

1 hour ago, Steve Smith said:

Bob would like to thank you all for your good wishes, but would like me to correct an error regarding his time at Westlands.  Whilst not involved in the development of the BERP blade for the Lynx, he was the Designer in Charge of several export and RN Lynx variants.  The ultimate design signature as he put it!

 

The YMRG website has a very useful yet entertaining collection of Bob's musings on many aspects of model railway construction:

http://yeovilmrg.org/modelling-wisdom/.

 

Steve

YMRG Webmaster

 

Many thanks for the information - I've corrected my previous post above.

[Steve Smith]

Bob (and Ruth) at the YMRG 10th birthday bash.

 

It is with great sadness that Sheila has asked me to tell you that Bob passed away peacefully last night after a courageous battle with Motor Neuron Disease.  She has asked not to be contacted by phone for the time being.

 

Bob was a founder member of YMRG, and for many years our Secretary.  He was a prolific and inspirational modeller, who has passed on his skills and knowledge via books, magazine articles, Missenden, the O Gauge Guild and EMGS manuals.

 

His company and friendship will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with Sheila, David, Ruth and family at this sad time.

 

Steve

 

Edited July 11, 2020 by Steve Smith

[polybear]

A lovely guy, and both a very skilled modeller and very knowledgeable. RIP Bob

[DLT]

Sad news indeed.

Bob had also been a Leading Light of the Exeter Gauge 0 Group, and held several committee positions.

David Taylor