Chris Foren .. Chris F

[45156]

2 hours ago, NHY 581 said:

He was a regular at our Small Cardiff Show, now sadly lapsed and I was astonished to learn that he had travelled from Bedford to see the show when we first met face to face, 2017 (? ). Our paths subsequently crossed many times at various exhibitions, especially SWAG where he was very much part of that delightful event. Always a pleasure to see him.

 Chris had an aunt in a care home in Cardiff, and was able to combine a trip to visit her with going to the show - but I really think that his primary reason for the visit was to attend the show, and auntie came slightly behind.

[Kirby Uncoupler]

Sorry to hear this news, Chris was a nice chap, and he helped me with much information on DMUs, especially their deployment. A friendly face at shows, he will be greatly missed.

                                                                         Brian Kirby.

[Mallard60022]

Sad of course, but the man would have been so modest but charmed about the lovely things being said here. He has touched so many lives in so many ways it is remarkable.  Again, Chris put himself out for me on various occasions, giving his time so willingly. The one I remember most, having read of his Tech issues, was to find and copy information about the Westward Television Special Train in Devon in very early 60s. City of Truro did the honors to and from Plymouth. He even made suggestions as to from what, the Rolling Stock had been converted.  It must have taken him hours. 

I am absolutely delighted that he was able to 'come out' and enjoy some years of freedom in his real identity.

I think a legacy that Chris would want left to us, would be for us blokes to ENSURE we get checked for Prostate Cancer.  

Bless you CF.

[The Fatadder]

Given that Chris was the one who shared the autumn 1947 formation on here, every time I run my Cornish Riviera formation with its Hawksworth coaches I will remember him.   

[BlackRat]

Such sad news about Chris, a good friend and stalwart of RM Web, and Early risers in particular.

 

I used to enjoY his company and knowledge when he attended the SWAG get togethers and would endure my gentle pee taking in good humour because of the gentleman he was.

 

I messaged him through FB several days ago, and now sadly know why I hadn’t received a reply.

 

At least having come out , he was hopefully able to enjoy his last few years as himself.

 

I shall miss his daily ramblings, his updates on gigs ( his cd collection must be vast) and his regular updates re marching in Pride.

 

I hope he is at peace.

[Oldddudders]

14 hours ago, Mallard60022 said:

I think a legacy that Chris would want left to us, would be for us blokes to ENSURE we get checked for Prostate Cancer.  

Bless you CF.

Wise words indeed, Phil. Something like 80% of men are likely to have a prostate issue later in life, of which a large % might be cancerous. Prostate cancer has the second highest mortality rate among male cancer sufferers in the USA.

 

Getting your PSA checked via a simple blood test is really not much of an ordeal. You are looking for a number less than 4. Mine yesterday was 2.9. A Brixham friend, approaching 80, registered 7 the other week, has been told he has a tiny cancer. 

 

Don't let our late friend's demise be in vain, eh?

[RedgateModels]

Agreed, one good side effect of all my bowel issues last year is that I've been thoroughly checked out for prostate cancer and given the all clear even though it is enlarged. I'm going to make sure I have regular blood tests going forward 

[Pannier Tank]

13 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

Getting your PSA checked via a simple blood test is really not much of an ordeal. You are looking for a number less than 4.

 

My Consultant Urologist told me that the PSA Test result is just a number. My current PSA Level is 12, but the medication I am taking reduces the PSA Level by half, so my actual PSA is 24. Several Biopsies have produced ambiguous results.

 

Bottom line is, get checked regularly.

[Jol Wilkinson]

There are several indicators of possible prostate cancer. One is an enlarged prostate, another is difficulty/taking longer to pee. The last was my first symptom, which I mentioned in passing (no pun intended) while seeing my GP for a regular check up. He identified a small "growth" on my prostate, that was followed by a visit to hospital  for an appointment with the consultant, a biopsy and a scan which confirmed I had prostate cancer but not a large and aggressive tumour. Fortunately it was caught in time and the decision was then an operation or chemo/radiotherapy. That was eight years ago and medical science has probably moved on a bit since then.

 

Prostate cancer is probably for men what breast cancer if for women, but hasn't had there same public awareness. If  Chris's death increases awareness among RMWeb's members of the likelihood of getting prostate cancer, then we should also remember him for that.

Edited December 16, 2022 by Jol Wilkinson
Amended text

[BMacdermott]

Hello everyone

 

An important factor for men from about age 45 or so is that they get checked - even if no symptoms are present.

 

Brian (no symptoms; got checked; scan found small amount; 2 minutes radiotherapy for 20 days out of 30; gone!)

[Not Jeremy]

2 hours ago, Pannier Tank said:

 

My Consultant Urologist told me that the PSA Test result is just a number. My current PSA Level is 12, but the medication I am taking reduces the PSA Level by half, so my actual PSA is 24. Several Biopsies have produced ambiguous results.

 

Bottom line is, get checked regularly.

 

For a moment there I thought we were on for the "4 Yorkshiremen on PSA numbers" sketch - I'm sure Chris would have found it funny!

Edited December 16, 2022 by Not Jeremy
tense

[Mallard60022]

I am able to pronounce when required, as when someone asks "...what have you ever done with you life pal (?)", that I am Mallard60022, BA and  BPE. That usually shuts them up, but if not, I would go into CF mode and enlighten them as to the 'reward' a BPE is. That definitely shuts them up and they often suddenly need to make an urgent phone call, or they have seen someone they must speak to.

Sound tactics adopted from the master of explaining details.

Phil: BA and BPE. 

[Erichill16]

Ive been having trouble with the waterworks recently and been pestered by swmbo and Mum to get it checked. I was at my GP’s last year regarding another matter and he said ‘anything else’ so I reluctantly said yes and did an examination right there. Enlarged prostate, nothing else. To tell the truth it was Chris’s situation with ‘Professor Oncologist’ which he kept ERs abreast off as much as the pestering from swmbo and Mum that made me blurt out ‘Yes’. Thanks Chris 

ps Sat in a cold car park thinking where’s the nearest wc!

Edited December 16, 2022 by Erichill16
Add ps

[Brinkly]

I am deeply saddened to hear of Chris' passing. 

 

At shows, we would share a couple of 'political funnies' during our conversations. Chris had a real passion for all things GWR coaching stock, and was always willing to help/assist with research projects, or general questions. He would share quite regularly with me, little golden snippets of information to do with my Horrabridge project. A real loss to both the forum and wider model railway world. 

 

RIP old chap. Enjoy a pint and a ride on a 57ft Collett up there. 

 

Nick. 

[TheSignalEngineer]

Chris liked folk music and followed it in a wide sense from traditional to modern, so in the words of Richard Thompson 

 
We're gonna meet on the ledge
When my time is up I'm gonna see all my friends

 

Meanwhile Chris, until we meet at the great model railway show in the sky, I nicked a picture from your Twitter profile as a memento

 

 

 

Eric

[NHY 581]

18 hours ago, BlackRat said:

Such sad news about Chris, a good friend and stalwart of RM Web, and Early risers in particular.

 

I used to enjoY his company and knowledge when he attended the SWAG get togethers and would endure my gentle pee taking in good humour because of the gentleman he was.

 

I messaged him through FB several days ago, and now sadly know why I hadn’t received a reply.

 

At least having come out , he was hopefully able to enjoy his last few years as himself.

 

I shall miss his daily ramblings, his updates on gigs ( his cd collection must be vast) and his regular updates re marching in Pride.

 

I hope he is at peace.

 

 

Spot on Neil. Very well worded. 

 

Rob. 

[Gwiwer]

This topic, created in memory of another much-missed member of this community, has been very quiet of late. 
 

 

 

It has probably dropped off the site radar but remains open for any and all to share, discuss and offer support for any matter connected with thus dreadful disease. 
 

Recent posts here suggest it might be aporopriate to bump the topic. 

[Not Jeremy]

I don’t wish to intrude on anyone’s private sadness, and this may be too early to ask, but do we know if and where and when a funeral or any other form of commemoration for Chris might be held please?
 

 

Edited December 16, 2022 by Not Jeremy
Punctuation

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, Not Jeremy said:

I don’t wish to intrude on anyone’s private sadness, and this may be too early to ask, but do we know if and where and when a funeral or any other form of commemoration for Chris might be held please?
 

 

I believe  that @88C will probably be able to let us know when he knows. Chris was his cousin.

 

Jamie

[RedgateModels]

Here’s a thought. The continuing theme of this topic is how Chris seemed to spend his time talking to everyone. How about his legacy is that we all talk more? Spend time to stop and chat as Chris did 😀

 

if we all can be remembered for one thing, then that would make the world a better place 

[queensquare]

Only just caught up with this, really very sad news. Chris and I would always have a chat when I was demonstrating at shows, sometimes about trains, but more often about folk music. His old school charm and humour was a delight.

Our hobby is built around the wonderful cast of characters that inhabit it and we have just lost another.

RIP Chris

 

Jerry

 

 

[2ManySpams]

Completely missed this very sad news. Another knowledgeable stalwart gone to the great railway exhibition in the sky. 

 

Always took time to stop and chat, saw him many times over the years when we were out and about with various layouts. I think the last time I saw him was at RMweb members day in Taunton. 

 

Condolences to those family and friends he leaves behind. 

[The Stationmaster]

Sorry to come to this a rather late but a nasty dose of Warleyitis (which enabled me to test far too many of the things the NHS can do) only saw me getting back to firing on most cylinders most of the time this week.

 

Chris and I met regularly at Wycrail where neither of us seemed to be able to remember whose turn it was to buy the first round of cakes and at the delightful Cardiff Small Show - where we seemed to have no difficulty at all in remembering whose turn it was to buy the tea and the bacon baps.  Apart from that we came across each other - not always pre-arranged - at various other shows although our encounters in the bar at Ally Pally were normally very carefully pre-planned.

 

Chris was a lovely bloke with a wealth of knowledge particularly of GW coaching stock where he filled in some blanks for me on a number of occasions.  Alas he had a habit of selling himself and his knowledge short but the thread he started on RMweb about Class116 units - yes he did diesels too - will be a fitting memorial not only to the depth of his knowledge and original research but also his ability to explain in a way we could all understand.

 

It has been a privilege to have known him  as something a bit more than a brief acquaintance as he was also a regularly attendee at a couple of 'off-forum' things - one by Zoom and another at various hostelries - where we were both regular attendees.  

 

RIP Chris and a shame that you left us at such a relatively early time of life.

[franciswilliamwebb]

26 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

the thread he started on RMweb about Class116 units - yes he did diesels too - will be a fitting memorial not only to the depth of his knowledge and original research but also his ability to explain in a way we could all understand.

 

Thanks for the heads up on that, a fitting memorial as you say.

 

 

[MartinWales]

So shocked and saddened to hear of Chris' passing

 

Always one of the first through the doors at the York and various Expo EM shows where I was present

 

I shall miss his dry wit and generous nature. RIP Chris.