John Douglas Smith 1928 -2015

[brightspark]

It is with great sadness that I report that John Douglas Smith died on Thursday morning (26/11/15).

He was known to the local historical groups in the Weybridge area as John Smith and to the railway world as Douglas Smith. He was well liked and very knowledgeable with a keen mind to experiment and explore new techniques that could be practically done at home and encouraged others to follow. To this end he wrote a number of articles in Model Railway Constructor and Model Railway Journal as well as contributing several sheets to the EMGS Manual. These articles ranged from motor surveys to home etching and slow acting relays for signal control. His last article on “Optical Wheel Quartering using a Laser” appearing in the last MRJ (MRJ242). He also wrote a book on the history of Weybridge Station, published by the Weybridge Historical Society.

Douglas had been for a number of years the area group organiser of the EM Gauge Society North West Surrey Group. His layout “Swaynton for Milcliffe-on-Sea” became the focus for the group’s main activity. This layout is inspired by his memories of growing up in the Bournemouth area. I last saw Douglas a few weeks ago at Farnham MRC show where Swaynton was being exhibited. It obviously gave him immense satisfaction to see his creation, operated by the team he put together, running well and with a good crowd in front of it. Douglas did manage a short stint of operating and said later that he was pleased to see the layout up and running and that it reminded him of the old days, when he was a bit fitter.

There will be a private committal service at Woking Crematorium on 14th December followed at 2:30 pm by a service of celebration and thanksgiving at Weybridge United Reformed Church, Queen's Rd, Weybridge.
Richard Smith, his son has requested that,” if possible we would prefer people not to send flowers but to make a donation in Dad's memory to the Woking & Sam Beare Hospices.”

On behalf of the EMGS North West Surrey Area Group and the Swaynton Team I offer sincere condolences to his family and friends.

He will be sadly missed.

Andy

[burgundy]

A very sad loss. Douglas was always a very thoughful and encouraging leader of the NW Surrey EMGS area group. His analysis of motor performance in the EMGS data sheets is a nice example of the straighforward, but rigorous approach that he brought to the hobby.

As Andy says, he will be much missed.

Best wishes

Eric