Giles Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I'm sorry to say that Bob Symes died this morning, after a short battle with cancer. If one was trying to define what he would be remembered for - it would be hard to know where to start. Railways, Guage 1, 10 1/4", 'Tomorrow's World' etc..... And a Gentleman..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Thanks for the PM Giles; very sad news. A marvellous elder statesman within the hobby, aged 90 and the grandest of all titles 'Baron Schutzmann von Schutzmansdorff'. RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman7 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Goodness me, I had no idea he was still among us. Another passing from the era of my childhood....Rest In Peace Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I'm sorry to say that Bob Symes died this morning, after a short battle with cancer. If one was trying to define what he would be remembered for - it would be hard to know where to start. Railways, Guage 1, 10 1/4", 'Tomorrow's World' etc..... And a Gentleman..... Hi, This is very sad news indeed. Truly one of the Greats of the hobby, A Gentleman indeed and one who could inspire and teach through his experience in our hobby. The hobby will be all the poorer for his passing. Rest in peace Bob, we owe you much. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Sorry to hear that. Onslow works delivered some ingenious productions over the years, including the famous "Symek" which brought prototypical clag to at least one exhibition. Last seen Making Tracks upwards... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kazmierczak Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Contagious enthusiasm would be two words I'd use. Condolences to his family and friends. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Ian J. Posted January 19, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2015 RIP Bob. I remember some of his programmes from my youth, and also was a bit surprised to hear he was still with us. 90 is a good old age to reach though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill Dyson (onslaught832) Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A lovely man & an inspiration to me & I'm sure many others .....RIP Phill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 RIP loved his programmes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A splendid chap and always full of enthusiasm for the hobby. He will be missed. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Walters Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Very sad news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldgunner Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Such sad news, it would be marvelous if his collection is kept together as a memorial. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 19, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 19, 2015 Would it be possible to do a compendium of the RM web threads featuring Bob as a tribute? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 As well known in Germany as in the UK for his films. AS my in laws are Saxon/Tyrolean I always found his German easy to follow. He could be rather over the top at times but was always entertaining. A few years ago I read his correspondence with BR over his abortive attempt to reopen the Waverley Route. A fascinating character and always totally committed to promoting railways. They don't make 'em like that any more. RIP Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I was only thinking of him on Saturday as he used to present prizes at the Guidford exhibition at its previous venue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG John Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I was only thinking of him on Saturday as he used to present prizes at the Guidford exhibition at its previous venue. The only time I met him was when I was exhibiting at one of those. I used to tell people that my layout wasn't finished, but no one believed me. When he was presenting the prizes, he commented on how beautifully it ran, and how it would be a very nice layout when it was finished! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgeconna Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Sad news, only looking at his garden railway yesterday on utube...RIP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachmann Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Met him a few times at the Manchester exhibitions. I forget which place it was, Corn Exchange or the venue that followed, but he smoked and stunk the place out with a real working diesel loco one Saturday afternoon. He was a real character even amongst characters! . R I P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham_Muz Posted January 19, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 19, 2015 RIP Bob Like many railway modellers of a certain age group I remember Bob from the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World and his own programmes he presented: Model World dedicated to the hobby of modelling, also on the BBC in the mid 1970s. He also presented a series called Making Tracks in the 1990s. Making Tracks was a series dedicated to little-known lines and networks worldwide, and which specialised in steam operations. I was lucky enough to have met Bob on a number of occasions firstly in my short trouser days admiring his large radio controlled railway models at a model railway show in Beaconsfield and lastly at the January 2011 Astolat show in Guildford. Bob was judging the competition for the best visiting layout in show and spent many minutes looking, very much at eye level, at Fisherton Sarum and no one was more surprised than me when he later announced the layout as best in show. I have just raised a beer in his memory in the engraved glass tankard that I received to commemorate the award. RIP Bob Symes, the model railway layouts in the great upstairs have just gained another operator. From my blog at http://grahammuz.com/2015/01/19/rip-bob-symes-1924-2015/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A few years ago I searched out all the Bob Symes videos on YouTube for inspiration. And they did. RIP Baron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom J Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I recollect watching programmes presented by Bob when I was a youngster. I remember his tremendous broadcasting voice as much as the content! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles2 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I was only thinking of him on Saturday as he used to present prizes at the Guidford exhibition at its previous venue. Yes, Bob presented a prize to my friend Warren and myself for our Weymouth Quay layout at an Astolat model railway exhibition in the 70s...... We used to have club working parties to his garden railway which was in Guildford in those days. R.I. P. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackRat Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 A true gentleman and a true ambassador for the hobby, in all its forms. R.I.P. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hippo Posted January 19, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2015 R I P Bob, loved watching his modelling programs on VHS when I was younger Owen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium New Haven Neil Posted January 19, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2015 For me, the abiding memory is of his Brush 4 REAL diesel electric with the Taplin Twin diesel engine - and his persona, larger than life, superb speaker....RIP Bob, you were a fantastic inspiration to so many. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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