Popular Post sixteen 12by 10s Posted July 27, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) Frank Collins I had a phone call last night, to inform me that Frank Collins had passed away in his sleep, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Frank was a prolific modeller of all things related to the Cambrian railway, and built several layouts such as Penybont (twice !) and Steam on the Cambrian. Personally, I first met Frank some 45 years ago, as a member of the long defunct Stourbridge CC model railway society. I was 14 at the time, and junior members were frowned upon by a large proportion of the membership, but Frank was very accommodating. I lost touch with him for some time during the 1980's, at that time he got involved with amateur radio, and obtained a call sign of G0RXO, the zero meaning he was proficient at transmitting and reviving mores code. In latter year I caught up with him as a member of the Cradley Heath Model Railway club, which we were both committee members, Frank for some years been exhibition manager, and who put the clubs first show on. He had an absolutely wicked and dry sense of humour, and sometimes his sarcasm would go straight over peoples head!. He kept his personal life, to himself, but I do know he had his fair share of family grief, but I feel this is not in the scope of this tribute Goodbye Frank me old mate, and no, I still don't agree that the Stanier Princess class, was a Swindon engine built at Crewe !! Photo, with kind permission of Chris Nevard Edited August 8, 2022 by sixteen 12by 10s 1 32 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AY Mod Posted July 27, 2022 Moderators Share Posted July 27, 2022 Genuinely really sorry to hear that news Gary. Frank was a great character. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 08221 Posted July 27, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 27, 2022 (edited) Oh gosh, what sad news. Frank was a lovely chap and really encouraging when I took my layout to the Cradley Heath exhibition a few years ago. The fish and chips from 'Ivans' were a delight at lunchtime! A sad loss, thoughts and prayers are with those close to him. Edited July 27, 2022 by 08221 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold nickwood Posted July 27, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 27, 2022 I’m really saddened to hear this news. I first came across Frank when we were both members of Your Model Railway forum and he was a font of knowledge for me when building my layout Much Murkle. We occasionally corresponded on modelling matters but he probably never realised how much I owed him. It was Frank who inspired me through his layouts Pen y Bont and Steam on the Cambrian It was Frank who pestered me to write to all the editors and get an article on the layout in one of the magazines. It was Frank as manager of the Crawley Heath show who gave me my first exhibition invite for Much Murkle. it was Frank who gave me the confidence to solder more than just wires and switches. A real character and I’m sure that there will be many others who will also miss Frank’s advice and help Rest in peace matey and my thoughts are with your family and friends. 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 His favourite question to Exhibitors at the Cradley show every year always seemed to be "What can you bring next year?" 😉 I'm sure everyone at the club & the show will miss him. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWJ Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Very sorry to learn of Frank's passing. I met him a couple of times at shows (Wolverhampton and the Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge) and I was a big admirer of Penybont in particular. He was a superb modeller and freely gave me some advice about how to paint water scenes. I hope his layouts survive for others to enjoy. Condolences to his family. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted July 30, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 30, 2022 (edited) I am very sorry to hear that Frank has passed away. Frank and I not only shared Railways and Model Railways as our hobbies, we were both also Radio Amateur's. Frank was indeed a very knowledgeable character and will be sorely missed. R.I.P Frank. P.S I've just read this thread https://www.facebook.com/groups/12699105116/permalink/10166429522395117/ It looks like Frank was in the process of getting back on-air, how very sad that he didn't make it. In the Amateur Radio world, Frank is now said to be SK (Silent Key). Edited July 30, 2022 by Pannier Tank Further information. 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 On 27/07/2022 at 21:34, nickwood said: I’m really saddened to hear this news. I first came across Frank when we were both members of Your Model Railway forum and he was a font of knowledge for me when building my layout Much Murkle. We occasionally corresponded on modelling matters but he probably never realised how much I owed him. It was Frank who inspired me through his layouts Pen y Bont and Steam on the Cambrian It was Frank who pestered me to write to all the editors and get an article on the layout in one of the magazines. It was Frank as manager of the Crawley Heath show who gave me my first exhibition invite for Much Murkle. it was Frank who gave me the confidence to solder more than just wires and switches. A real character and I’m sure that there will be many others who will also miss Frank’s advice and help Rest in peace matey and my thoughts are with your family and friends. Hi Nick Thats quite a tribute! Coming from someone who has built such a fine layout, thanks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 On 30/07/2022 at 19:38, Pannier Tank said: I am very sorry to hear that Frank has passed away. Frank and I not only shared Railways and Model Railways as our hobbies, we were both also Radio Amateur's. Frank was indeed a very knowledgeable character and will be sorely missed. R.I.P Frank. P.S I've just read this thread https://www.facebook.com/groups/12699105116/permalink/10166429522395117/ It looks like Frank was in the process of getting back on-air, how very sad that he didn't make it. In the Amateur Radio world, Frank is now said to be SK (Silent Key). Yes Frank had started to get back interested in radio, as he was not in the best of health for carrying around heavy layouts, and he was going to visit my shack M0IUQ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 Thanks for all your kind comments, we, Cradley heath model railway club, are planning some kind of tribute, at our exhibition in October Gary Hinson Chair, CHMRC 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted August 2, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, sixteen 12by 10s said: Yes Frank had started to get back interested in radio, as he was not in the best of health for carrying around heavy layouts, and he was going to visit my shack M0IUQ Hi Gary, my call G4NVB maybe catch you the bands, mainly FT8 at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted August 8, 2022 Author Share Posted August 8, 2022 On 02/08/2022 at 20:50, Pannier Tank said: Hi Gary, my call G4NVB maybe catch you the bands, mainly FT8 at the moment. i mainly operate portable or semi portable, on HF and usually when on holiday on Skye as MM0IUQ, i will keep my ears open 73's 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixteen 12by 10s Posted August 8, 2022 Author Share Posted August 8, 2022 The late Frank Collins, The funeral has been arranged for the 23rd August. He will be leaving Sams Bostin Bites cafe in Oldhill B64 5RU (oldhill's finest dinning establishment) at 11.15 and the funeral is at Powke Lane crematorium B65 0AD at 11.30, Ironically the crematorium is less than 100yards from Cradley Heath Model Railway clubs rooms, which he played a big part in renovating when we moved two and a half years ago 1 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted August 9, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 9, 2022 12 hours ago, sixteen 12by 10s said: the crematorium is less than 100yards from Cradley Heath Model Railway clubs rooms, which he played a big part in renovating when we moved two and a half years ago very fitting Gary. Rest in peace Frank 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
21A Desperado Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 (edited) Ive been out of the modelling community for about four years and I didnt know Frank had passed away. He was a really nice chap. Gutted to hear. RIP Frank, Edited March 22 by 21A Desperado 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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