Arno Baars

Very sad to hear that. He certainly was an expert on Standard Gauge, and he loved to share his knowledge.

He will be missed. RIP.

Sad to hear this. Also sad that I never got to meet him.

Sad news indeed. He was so nice and willing to share his knowledge . 

Wow. So sad to hear the news. I always appreciated his informative posts and willingness to help out on the forum. I'm also sad I never met him. Steve always spoke of him in the highest regard. I'm sorry that Steve lost a good friend, and the train community lost a good person. My prayers go out to the family,

Bob

Just like Steve, I was afraid this news would be coming soon because I stopped receiving emails as well.  Though I did not know him very long, Arno Baars had a profound effect on me as a train collector and as a person, and I'm typing this through misty eyes and a flood of fond memories. 

I had the good fortune of meeting Arno (ModernEraSG) at the York TCA Eastern Division meet about three years ago. I was struck by his knowledge of the standard gauge trains made by many of the smaller, lesser known manufacturers active from the 1960's through the present (Modern Era Standard Gauge - MESG). But, I was even more impressed with his attitude about train collecting -- it was obvious from our first conversation that the hobby was all about sharing and friendship for Arno.  His table in the Silver hall quickly became one of my favorite stops at York.  Over the next 3 or 4 meets, I became increasingly excited to find out what new tidbit of MESG knowledge I might be able to glean and what might be on his table that would find its way home with me. In October of 2015 we discussed having him visit my home when he made the trip north to York in April and we began corresponding occasionally by email. All of this talk of MESG had begun to have an effect on my train collection -- I started selling o gauge items I had collected over ten-plus years and began buying whatever MESG trains I could find.

Upon reading several articles he penned for the TCA quarterly, I learned that Arno had been through health issues in the past. I did not know, however, that his illness had returned until this April when I headed to the silver hall on Thursday, only to find another collector in his usual spot.  When I arrived home I emailed to find out why he was absent, and when he replied I was saddened to hear that his health had taken a pretty severe turn for the worst. Despite his situation, Arno's emails remained upbeat and full of excitement for "talking trains".  Within a few weeks he sent a message that I couldn't quite wrap my head around -- he invited me to visit his home to stay for a few days of MESG "training".  I didn't really expect someone whom I'd only spoken to a few times in person and who didn't really know anything about me (except my love for trains) to invite me into their home.  I mean, he really had no idea if I was a nice guy or an axe murderer!  He assured me that the trip would be well worth it when he said, "Come down and see my collection and bring your wife and daughter.  Our farm has animals to entertain your daughter, and once your wife sees the size of my collection she'll never give you a rough time about buying another train!"

So, we planned a July trip to the farm to see Arno and his wife, Carolyn, but in mid-May he contacted me to say that he was feeling pretty well at the time but was worried about how he might be faring in July. We decided that I would visit alone and with my crazy schedule, the only time that worked was Memorial Day weekend.  To make a long story at least a bit shorter, I ended up making the long drive from PA to GA and spent two wonderful days on Fleur de Lis Farm with Arno, Carolyn, their boys, hired farm hand, a whole slew of animals, and the most complete collection of MESG trains on the planet. I could go on for awhile about the time spent, but don't want to bore you all too much, so I'll relate two things which struck me. First, even though it was obvious that Arno was in a great deal of discomfort, he used every bit of his physical and mental strength on conversations and teaching me about the trains I was beginning to love almost as much as he did.  He would end each day by asking me "So, Rob, what did you learn about MESG trains today?"  It was like going to train collecting boot camp! Secondly, I was deeply moved by the love Carolyn displayed through her care for her husband.  In some of our earlier correspondence, Arno had referred to the idea of "moving forward" in spite of his failing health - there is no doubt in my mind that he and Carolyn did just that.  The way they all demonstrated "moving forward" taught me as much about living life to the fullest as I had learned about the trains.

Because I had to make the long drive and be back at work on the day after Memorial Day, I said my good-byes the evening before. I left the farm in the very early morning of May 30 with a pickup cab full of MESG trains (stuff Arno said he "wanted to get rid of to make more space) and strong feelings of appreciation and sadness. Appreciation for the warm hospitality and friendship extended to me. Sadness because I knew it was the last time I would see my friend.

God Speed to my friend Arno.  I am thankful for all he taught me about trains and about how to live gracefully and meaningfully no matter the circumstances. 

sorry to hear this

Rob, thank you for sharing. Arno was so gracious about sharing his knowledge and enjoyment of trains with us. It is a wonderful testament to him that he tried to pass along his expertise in his last days. It is great that you now possess some of his collection to protect for posterity.  I never met him, but cherished his posts on this forum. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

George

Very sad loss with Arno passing. He was very kind to share his knowledge. Arno was certainly the foremost promoter, advocate, and historian  of  modern era and the little guys  of the standard gauge world.    With his articles and postings  he was keen on presenting the modern era standard gauge to be appreciated for it's uniqueness and craftsmanship  , the labor of many talented inspired hobbyists who all shared the same  passion for standard gauge trains.

I was very fortunate to visit with Arno last Sunday with his loving and caring family.  Arno was in a great deal of pain, hope he is in a better place now , and can smile knowing the lives he touched.

Carey      

I'll truly miss Arno.  I first got to know him several years ago when he sent me a letter asking for some help on his book.  I considered it quite an honor.  From there it led to my actually selling Arno some items that I had run across that I knew he would be interested in.  I always enjoyed our visits at York and always found that he fielded numerous questions from those who stopped by his table.  There is quite an interest in MESG and he was THE source.  He certainly was a fountain of knowledge that will be sorely missed.  My prayers go out to his family.  May he rest in peace.

Don

Can his book be finished and published posthumously in his honor? How far along is it? 

Really sorry to hear this news. Only communicated here, but he was always helpful and informative. I had no idea he has health issus. As Timdude said, I hope his book can be finished as a tribute to him. 

an awesome contributor to this group as well. He will definitely be missed.

I am deeply sadden by the news of Arno's passing.   We stated corresponding late last year about McCoy cars - obviously he was very knowledgeable on the topic.   Then the e-mails stopped - I assumed he was busy.  I had no idea he was ill.  He will be missed.

Sad to hear. Condolences to his friends and family. 

Well done David, thanks.

Steve

hojack posted:

 

 

A "one of a kind" loco to honor a gentleman who was truly "one of a kind."

 Thanks for sharing, David!

Very sorry to hear the news. Arno was one of the good guys in our hobby. He knew that collecting trains wasn't just about the trains, but that the trains brought people together--people of all walks of life whose paths might not have crossed otherwise--and that the trains are and always will be the means to lifelong friendships.  Rest in peace, friend. 

John

A very fine video tribute by Hojak, Thank You.

Marc has written a wonderful tribute to Arno on his Standard Gauge Blog.

david

Arno was indeed a unique and special fellow. We have had several conversations over the years. Always on unique subjects where he always had s strong knowledge and much information to share. He will be missed. Farewell Arno.

Condolences to friends and family.  Such a young guy too. 

Very sad news; my sincere condolences to Arno's family and his friends. I had the privilege of Arno's acquaintance through a few emails on the Harmon locomotives and also his help here on the forum. There are some people whose depth of knowledge and interest shows through right away, and he was one of those. I wish I had got to meet him.

I can't believe what I read here tonight.  I only met Arno a few times, but what an impression he had on me.  He sold me a JAD streamliner that I had been looking for for years.  We talked on the phone a few times but we were just acquaintences.  After reading this, I went downstairs to the train room and with a tear in my eye ran the streamliner around the layout in honor of Arno.  I am a better man for meeting him.  May you rest in peace.

Harm Andrews

Warren, Ohio 

His book published would be a fine tribute to this gentleman!

I am hearing that the book might just get published. Several of his train friends have visited and collected all of Arno's writing and notes and plan to start working towards editing it into a book. Hard to say when that will happen but the people involved are all ravenous Standard Gauge (and Modern in particular) fans, so I suspect we should see something in a year or so. It will certainly be his legacy, I can't tell you how many times I wanted to drop him a note since he's been gone to ask a question that he would almost certainly be able to answer. A walking encyclopedia on MESG.

Jim Waterman

This is exciting news. Hope it all can come together.

Steve

Did Arno's book ever get completed/published?

While l have no interest in standard gauge, at least two experts in Marx have passed, and one, Bob Whitacre, got his book into print. I hope all the knowledge cited above is captured in print, and not lost. Wish somebody, authorities in O scale rolling stock, and structures, with that depth of knowledge, could get published.  I am aware of at least one cache of historical railroad information  and photos never published, that should be available now, and may never be.  Humans have expiration dates, so this "Rembrandt in a vault, for my eyes only" mentality, not held by this gentleman, loses historical knowledge.

All of Arno's notes were transferred to a very knowledgeable MESG train collector, in addition to all of his photos! No idea on timeframe, but an enormous amount of work ahead.

Jim

Any relation to Korber's "Erno Products"

God Bless him! Glad to hear he touched many lives with his wealth of knowledge.

Jim Waterman posted:

All of Arno's notes were transferred to a very knowledgeable MESG train collector, in addition to all of his photos! No idea on timeframe, but an enormous amount of work ahead.

Jim

He is diligently working at it. The McCoy section alone is a huge under taking. They produced a lot of stuff over a long period of time.

Steve