WE HAVE LOST A FRIEND . . . JOHN ALLEN
By Whit Towers

We have lost a friend. Our hobby has lost a leader. NMRA has lost a staunch supporter. 59-year-old John Allen of Monterey, California passed away January 6th, victim of a heart attack shortly after a "run" on his famous GORRE & DAPHETID LINES.

All of us in the hobby will mourn the loss. The thousands who read and were inspired by his writings and his monumental talent in creating realism in the model scene which he shared through his phenomenal artistry with the camera, will miss the inspiration he provided us all.

Within the world of NMRA, John while not an active leader, had during the 50's been a member of several committees, had been a regional director of PCR where his humanitarian desires and push for perfection in the creation of realism proved invaluable. He had the ability to inspire others to do better than even they thought possible.

Who knows how many cut their teeth marveling over the scenes in those early Varney ads, those inspiring articles in MODEL RAILROADER and RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN keeping us informed as to the growth of his beloved GORRE & DAPHETID LINES? Can anyone amongst us say he contributed even a small part of what JOHN ALLEN gave the hobby of model railroading?

Thousands of us have driven to Mecca - Monterey, California - and been sincerely welcomed at his door. He was never frugal with the time he gave to visitors from all over the world. Friend or stranger he made all feel welcome. He had no secrets. He shared what he knew and what he learned with all comers, unstintingly. You had but to ask and John would give you the benefit of his vast experience. It made no difference whether you were a rank beginner or a seasoned veteran in the hobby, you had but to ask and John gave you the benefit of his knowledge. He not only shared, but he helped you accomplish.

If I may be personal for just a minute (sometimes it's a little personal experience which sheds insight into character) I recall studying and being inspired by a MR. article on car weathering. I'd never weathered a car. My pike was loaded with "box fresh" examples of the model builder's art. I wanted to try my hand at weathering, but was horror stricken at the thought of "ruining" a paint job. I just couldn't bring myself to start. John was visiting me for a week and when I broached the subject, he laughed at my timidity. Quickly the work bench was cleared, paints, turps, thinners, oil and dry colors and brushes were brought forth and in a few minutes the Wizard of Monterey deftly created a true gem of the model builder's art from a prosaic kit. It not only looked real, it was real and John got out of the chair, had me sit down and try my hand. He stayed by my shoulder as I slopped and streaked (making a horrible mess of everything) while he patiently (though not without some exasperation over my clumsiness) pointed out areas where my technique could be improved. Finally after a dozen or so cars I began to make creations of weathering which I felt were artistic triumphs. John, while he artistically may not have agreed, was ever the gracious gentleman and finally concurred that I had the "hang of it". The point being that he not only told, but he spent of his talent in helping me learn. He shared and he cared.

At conventions we've all seen the "new" or lonely attendee standing by himself in the lobby. No friends, no one to talk to, waiting for a scheduled event, yet when John spied him, he'd break off his conversation, go over and introduce himself, and commence a conversation on a facet of the hobby of particular interest to this newcomer. Obviously others were attracted and joined in. The newcomer was deftly made part of the "gang". How many others have you seen going to that effort to help?

Last month's BULLETIN carried the final (as far as my files are concerned) BULLETIN article by John Allen. It was a think piece whose theme expressed tolerance for the viewpoint of others. How often, when I as your Editor have approached some name in the hobby to make a contribution for the BULLETIN, have been told they preferred to write for the commercial press because of the rates of pay. Yet, busy as he always was, John listened to my plea and came up with some thought-provoking concept for discussion. You enjoyed them, I know from your letters. They stimulated discussion sharing knowledge for all of us via 'Blowing Off Steam.'

The wheels have ground to a halt on the GORRE & DAPHETID. It will run no more, but think how much we all gained from John's having been with us. We are all of us richer for the experience.

We've lost a friend. But his inspiration will continue to affect the hobby into the future. He was my friend too.