Remembering Puddington

[John]

I can't believe that it's been 3 years

[Dave V]

I hate how many good people have been stolen from us by cancer.  I know too many who are suffering from it now with a grim diagnosis.

Pudd was always a gentleman in his eloquent writing but I think he'd agree with the sentiment if not the wording:  F*ck cancer.

[shark_jj]

A very moving tribute.  Kudo's to Jason for doing it.  I was fortunate to meet Mike back in 2013 at a convention and when I asked him some questions about Paper Mills, he gladly spent an hour with me sharing in great detail exactly how a plant works, and answering all my questions.  From what I can gather, that willingness to share with others was one of Mike's great strengths.  Something for all of us to learn and live by and pay forward.

[rapidotrains]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I'm sure Mike would appreciate it.

Yes, it's been three years. It took me that long to be ready to put this video together. He and I recorded it on March 31st, 2016. We knew that time was short. I'm so glad we did it.

-Jason

[thomasjmdavis]

I never met Mike in person, but we had several extended email exchanges, the last on being during the design phase for the Rapido baggage car.  I had mentioned somewhere that I was looking for a six wheel passenger truck with roller bearings.  He sent me a pic of the truck to be used on the baggage car, which sort of gave away the prototype for the car.  Enjoyed those conversations, and his contributions here on Railwire.  And his dedication to the single window coach.

It says a lot about Rapido and Jason that they put together this tribute.  Must be a great place to work.

And maybe we can talk MT into a "Puddington Valley" single window coach.  Or get some decals made up.

[John]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I'm sure Mike would appreciate it.

Yes, it's been three years. It took me that long to be ready to put this video together. He and I recorded it on March 31st, 2016. We knew that time was short. I'm so glad we did it.

-Jason

Jason .. How is his family doing?  Well I hope ..

[mark dance]

I remember Mike as embodying, as he says in the video, “the best of the hobby”: always helpful, always sharing, always positive.

What an amazing tribute Jason.  Thank you.

md

[Wardie]

Thank you Jason for sharing that, hard to believe it has been 3 years.

[wm3798]

I took the liberty of reposting the link over on the Kanto Sub engineering report., which is still pinned to the top of that section.  A fitting tribute.

[rapidotrains]

Jason .. How is his family doing?  Well I hope ..

As well as can be expected.

We're planning to have a "day out" with Sam in July. We'll take him to see our RDC and sleeping car. He'll get a kick out of them.

-Jason

[wm3798]

Please pass along our regards.

Lee

[Mark5]

Exemplary nice guy.