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It is sad to announce the passing of Tinplate Art ( vita sine litteris mors est) Life without learning (or knowledge) is death. Those Latin words were always displayed on Art Poole's discussions on the OGR Forum. His last post was on June 7, 2023 and was regarding Art's "I have done it all." Art had a wealth of knowledge of toy and real trains and he collected and transformed almost all gauges and styles of trains from the HO to the BRUTE and all between. He fought failing kidneys  for 18 years receiving dialysis virtually three days a week at the hospital every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. His goal was to live to the age of 80 and he did. He encouraged so many in the toy train collectors and operators to really understand their function. He was licensed to operate real steam engines and did that in his younger days and made the treks around New York to Madison Hardware, The Lionel Showroom and American Flyer Showroom. He met and talked to the movers and shakers in the early toy train era. His health was a deterrent but not a block on his enjoyment of people. His wife, Kay and his family survive. A memorial will be held at his home in Nashville, TN on Friday July 15, 2023. God Speed my friend. You fought the good fight!

Last edited by 1938Robert
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@1938Robert, Bob, thank you for posting the kind words about our friend @Tinplate Art, Art Poole. He was a very knowledgeable fellow about all facets of railroading and several years ago came to Clarksville to visit us. We had a fun train day. He will be missed by many folks all over the country. We in the Nashville area will really miss his whit and humor. RIP my friend, May God Bless his family.

I have known Art from a distance for many years, dating back to the AOL Forum days. I had the occasion to meet him at a train shop in Charlotte, NC, a number of years ago because he knew I would be visiting relatives there and he wanted an autographed copy of, as I recall, the garden railroading book I had written. I spoke with Art by phone a number of times over the years, and he really could, and would, talk your ears off. A truly fine fellow who loved this hobby. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. His contributions here will certainly be missed, but also will be long remembered.

This is very sad for me.  I'm going to miss his Forum handle, as well as his sage advice.

There was an earlier thread of how we got into this great hobby.  For me, earliest memories of Christmas, it was watching Dad's 366W standard gauge set race around the balsam tree.  I still have that tinplate treasure.  Dad's ceremony of bringing it down from the attic each year shortly after Thanksgiving, was one of those forever-etched memories.  He had an early version of the Gateman, too, which seemed to buzz open more than being closed.  It's among the great memories of my own Dad...Arthur...Art, as everyone called him.

So"Tinplate Art" was a trigger ID for me...of my own wonderful memories.

Now I have TWO that I'll miss.

KD

I just found this announcement and am very saddened by this news. Art was a wealth of knowledge and information on so many topics, not just model railroading and trains. He used to do some LGB repairs for us at Charlotte Electric Trains. His interests varied and changed when it came to his hobby. He will be missed . My condolences to Kay and the rest of his family and friends.

@1938Robert posted:

...snip... He fought failing liver for 18 years receiving dialysis virtually three days a week at the hospital every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. ...snip...

I suspect that you meant kidneys; my mother was on dialysis for about thirteen years (other stuff took her home) due to total kidney failure.

Anyway, my condolences to Art's family and friends. Prayer are sent.

Thanks for the many replies regarding Art. He was one of a kind and many will miss him. His wife, Kay and family held a memorial for Art which I attended.  The memorial included reading some poems he had written as well as some meaningful poems and stories that were related by his family including Kay and children and grandchildren. It was held at their home in the Germantown area of Nashville. It was kidney failure and I am sorry I typed liver failure in the announcement post.  I am still recovering from surgery and strong feelings for one of my friends, Art and his family. Thanks to all that shared and those that knew Art and cared for him.

@Norm posted:

Whether he posted under Multi Gauge Art or Tinplate Art,his postings were always very interesting to read.  It is particularly sad to lose another

of the originals that posted here from the very beginning.

Norm

……and, he originally posted (long, long ago) under the Forum name, Beowulf, since his specialty, early on in his career, was olde English literature…..

He is missed! When we spoke, his bravery as he faced his End Stage Renal Disease was inspiring……

Peter

Last edited by Putnam Division

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