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John H. Armstrong

John Armstrong Obituary

ARMSTRONG, JOHN H.

On July 28, 2004. Survived by his sons, Andrew, Peter and John; daughter, Mary Ellen and grandchildren Mark, Thomas, Laura, Glen, Julia and Matthew. Services will be held on Sunday, August 15, at 3 p.m. at Northwood Presbyterian Church, 1200 University Blvd., Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to National Alliance for Autism Research, 99 Wall St., Research Park, Princeton, NJ 08540. Funeral arrangements by CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME.

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Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 5, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for John Armstrong

15 Entries

Bill Schafer

August 16, 2004

I am not a modeler, but appreciate good model railroads when I see them, and John had one of the best -- even if you visited it five times a week, you'd see something new (and funny) every time. Who can forget Gdunge Avenue?

But John in person was the real treat. I am a career railroader, and never tired of talking shop with him. What's more, I believe that his contributions to the railroad industry are underestimated.

Example One: John's "The Railroad -- What It Is, What It Does" is the de facto primer of contemporary railroading. People new to the industry (and old heads too) keep a copy on their book shelves at work (I do).

Example Two: in 1957, he wrote an article "All About Signals" for TRAINS magazine. When I went through the training program at Southern Railway back in 1971, we were given a lot of material to study. Some of it was dry as dust, but the really enjoyable piece was a reprint of the "All About Signals" article, which Southern used as an official part of its training curriculum. Being a train buff and not going to great lengths to hide it (and catching a certain amount of grief for it), I asked our training coordinator why the company was using something reprinted from TRAINS (that railfan magazine) as a teaching aid. The reply was that it was the most succinct, most lucid and most relevant single article on signaling that they could find. In looking back on it, that was a testimonial to John Armstrong, who as far as I know, never worked for a railroad a day in his life. But something he wrote informed hundreds of Southern management trainees. At least one of them will miss him mightily.

Ray Grant

August 13, 2004

I first met Mr. Armstrong when I was about 8 and my uncle Bill took me to see his friend’s trains… quite a wonderland. In my 20’s my friend Nick offered to take me back and I have thought of John as a close friend for over 30 years. What most people don't realize is that in his hobby, John was first and foremost a railfan; history, engineering, architecture, economics, geography; he liked everything about trains and the traveling by train. Once you had the experience of a slide show at his house of the trips he took (with Ellen, of course) crossing the Firth of Forth Bridge, or to Kyle of Lochalsh, throughout Switzerland, or just about anywhere; or ride an excursion and watch him following the track charts, employee timetables and topo maps; you realized the "total dimension" of his interest and understanding of trains. Then there was the experience his sharing nature when he would turn to a stranger in the seat behind (me for example on a Western Maryland excursion before I became an O gauger) and say, “do you know about this line, would you like to look at these?, don’t miss the curve coming up!” Or to be watching his model railroad and have him tell you “how about you run the next train.”

The model railroad was his way to mimic what he liked in reality (as in a properly engineered Belpaire boiler’d 4-8-4!; never built but could of been). It was also his way to express his never ending humorous way he looked at everything. He was indeed an insatiably curious man about many, many things, but I will remember him for his selfless sharing of his railroad and home (with Ellen’s support), his knowledge (about anything) and most of all his humorous way of viewing life. He will be truly missed. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Paul Harbord

August 11, 2004

I have been reading John's writing in Model Railroader for most of my life. I was always impressed with the quality of it. I finally got to meet John, briefly, a few years ago at the O Scale National in convention in Stamford, Ct. He will be sorelly missed in the model railroading community.

Bill Lane Jr

August 11, 2004

I was lucky enough to go to meet John though a friend about 6 years ago and see the layout. I will admit to leaving there much more impressed with John then the layout. At whatever age he was at the time, he still deadpanned a few very dry jokes that had me laughing but good. It was one of the few times in my life that I felt like I was in the presence of greatness. I understand that the layout was over 40 years old at the time, but it was not what I had in my preconceived vision. I do not get many magazines so the articles over the years have escaped me. I have one of the S Scale cars that the NMRA did a few years ago honoring his railroad.

There is a John Armstrong in S Scale too who lives in Ohio. They are physically similar as well with the same dry sense of humor. He recently told me of when they met each other at a convention. The S Scale John Armstrong was holding books while THE John Armstrong autographed it. It was probably a real sight to see

I can only guess it is a little worse for many of you having just been there for the O Scale convention and only to have him pass a few days later.

Thank You,

Bill Lane

Custom Brass Painting

Neville Rossiter

August 11, 2004

I have never met John Armstrong but through his books and magazine articles I feel his passing on has left me minus a friend.

For most of my model Railroad life he has been an inspiration to me and will continue to be until I join him in the great model railroad club in the sky.

Thank you John.

Neville Rossiter, Greenwood, West Australia.

Douglas Hughes

August 8, 2004

John Armstrong made many friends during his long, but actually too short, life. His humor was captivating. His love of his Lord and Master was immediately evident. Those who knew him will treasure the pleasant memories. There were few, if any, of the other kind.

"In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." Isaiah 6: 1

Enjoy the BIG new layout, John

Ed King

August 7, 2004

John Armstrong was not only a giant in his avocation, but his personality and humor made him an extraordinary ambassador for it. He was a modest, outgoing person to a fault. When I first talked with him, a stranger in his area, the first thing he told me was how to get to his house and when the meetings occurred. He didn't know me from Adam's off ox, but he knew I had an interest in common with his.

Very few - almost none, as a matter of fact - had his knowledge of all facets of railroading, very rare for a non-rail. And he was extremely generous with his knowledge.

He will be missed, as few are. Our utmost sympathy to his family, and his close friends.

Barbara and Ed King

Dan Pence

August 6, 2004

John has been an inspiration for me as a model railroader for more than 40 years. He was a gentleman and gracious host, generous with his vast knowledge about railroading and modeling. He led by example spiced with a wonderful sense of humor. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to share the hobby with him.

Wolf Kirchmeir

August 6, 2004

Thanks, John, for all you did for the hobby. I learned from you that one doesn't design a trackplan, one designs a layout, and how to use prototype practice to guide designn. Most of all, I enjoyed yourr personal style - you seemed to speak directly to me in your articles and books. I felt that I knew you even though I never met you in person.

To John's Family: May it strengthen you to know that many people who never knew John personally are grieving with you. May you take comfort in knowing that we all rememebr John with affection and gratitude.

Marie Westbrook Grant

August 6, 2004

I knew John as one of the founding members of my husband's Friday night model railroad goup. In these last few days I remember John as he was at our wedding with a tender, endearing smile as he enjoyed the day with Ray and many of their lifelong O Scale friends.

John's gift of a technical expertise and a love for model railroading will be a presence at clinics, Friday night meetings, and conventions yet to come. A fitting way to cherish him. Andrew, Peter, John and Mary Ellen, you are in our prayers.

Jim Hill

August 6, 2004

My condolences to the family of a real gentleman -- who was an inspiration to generations of model builders and students of railroad operations. He'll be missed by us all.

Rob Tow

August 6, 2004

While I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Armstrong in person, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I've been a model railroader for 35 years and have gained considerable knowledge and enjoyment from reading John's books and articles. John's writings have been an invaluable contribution to this wonderful hobby.

David Siegfried

August 5, 2004

John was a giant in our common hobby of model railroading. His legendary writings were innovative and concise. His lectures were even more enjoyable because of his sharp wit-- I will miss that the most.

Deane Mellander

August 5, 2004

John was a giant in the model railroad hobby. I've known him for over 30 years. He was always genial, helpful, and wonderful company. His legacy will continue for decades to come.

Bert Decker

August 5, 2004

I'm glad I finally had the chance to meet him - his work has been an inspiration and a joy to me.

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