Jim FitzGerald of NTRAK passes

[peteski]

I was just notified that he passed away yesterday. Some think that N-Trak modules are hokey, but I think they played a big role (and still do) of popularizing N scale. Jim (and other members of early N-Trak) IMO, popularized N scale trains to get us where we are now.  From a novelity toy, to the 2nd most popular modeling scale. 

His will be a tough act to follow.  Jim, I hope that the place where you are now is chock full of depleted-uranium-filled N scale locomotives, pulling 100-car coal drags on a 3-track main! Your legacy will live on!

[Philip H]

Sad news indeed. I had the pleasure of attending some of his layout building clinics over the years. He was an innovative thinker in how to build quality, light weight bench work.

[superturbine]

Sad news for sure. 

BTW Didn't the COTTON BRUTE pull like a 1000 cars before running out of room ??

[jmlaboda - RIP]

There is no doubt in my mind about the value of Jim's contributions to the hobby.  I really hate to hear about this... may he rest in peace.

[pnolan48]

Oh no! That is sad news. A true pioneer.

[milw156]

May Jim rest in peace, and may the rest of us be appreciative for how much of what we have today is due to his efforts.
Rick

[superchief]

sad news indeed, rest in peace Jim, you did wonders for N-Scale with keeping N-Trak going for so long, you were a true pioneer and will be missed.. .....note: if I remember correctly the COTTEN BRUTE still holds the record for 350 cars pulled by a SINGLE locomotive, in 1981 at the first n-scale convention held in Houston, Tx, the COTTON BRUTE w/ two other specially prepared locos pulled 959 cars before running out of room in the ballroom, at the next convention held I heard he broke the 1000 car record. Gordon

[delamaize]

that is beyond sad. Jim did a whole lot for the hobby in general, especally N scale.

[central.vermont]

Very sad news indeed.  I had the opportunity to meet him a couple of times and he was always a very friendly person and very knowledged in the scale.
Did a search and found this on the old Atlas site. http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=49615&whichpage=3

Jon

[Loren Perry]

Thank you for all your efforts, Jim. May God make you a special home in His kingdom. We'll miss you.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That is quite sad news. I've known Jim for years, and his wife Lee for even longer. He was an incredibly nice guy and a true N scale pioneer.

People may have their opinions on the current state of NTRAK and it's influence, but without it, N Scale would still be a joke, and without Jim, there would've been no NTRAK. So, by association, without Jim, there would be no modern N Scale.

[VGN50]

Very sad news indeed.  I had dinner with Jim one evening many years ago and he was a true lover of N Scale Trains.

We have lost a pioneer whose contribution to the hobby is beyond measure.

Farewell, Jim. 

[draskouasshat]

Rest in peace jim. Thank you for all that you did for this "toy" of a scale. you helped make it into more than a toy.

[peteski]

Very sad news indeed.  I had the opportunity to meet him a couple of times and he was always a very friendly person and very knowledged in the scale.
Did a search and found this on the old Atlas site. http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=49615&whichpage=3

Jon

Jon - that excellent find!  I really enjoyed reading that story and seeing those photos.

I've exchanged several emails with Jim over the years and he seemed like really nice person!  Our last exchange wasn't all that long ago. When he changed the N-Trak newsletter format to the larger format  (The new N-Trak Newsletter), there was no engine logo anywhere on the front page. I hinted that he could replace the "N-Trak" lettering with the logo and agreed that it was a good idea. The next issue of the newsletter had the steam engine logo in place of the word. I also asked him if he could recall some of the details about origins of N-Trak and put them in writing, in the newsletter. He also did that - he published few stories about the beginnings of N-Trak. I will sure miss him. I'm sure that the N-Trak organization will go on, but it won't be the same without Jim.

[mmagliaro]

I have worked with Jim on articles in the NTrak steam locomotive books for a number of years.  I never got to meet
him personally.   

This really makes me sad.
I knew that he was very ill for some time and was not doing well, but of course, we always hope.

It is hard to point to one person in a hobby or an industry and say, "Without that guy, there would be no..."
But I think that is true of Jim Fitzgerald.    Not only does he deserve credit for the monumental achievement of
creating NTrak, but also for the newsletters and books that promoted steam modeling, and N Scale in general.
NTrak was more than just a modular standard.  It was a communication "glue" that held N Scalers together
for years and years when it was a fledgling scale.

Thousands upon thousands of people have spent years having
fun and even building careers because of Jim and what he did with his life.  Very few people can say that.