Large Scale Central

Barry Olsen (Barry's Big Trains) In The Hospital/Needs Your Help

General Discussion
#1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkjrvda77dn66r0/20181208_012037.jpg?dl=0

Hi folks,

Ken here with Imagination Station Kids On Track Model Railroad And Train Safety Program, E. Helena, Montana.

For all you folks out there that know Barry Olsen, I just want to inform you that I was notified that Barry is currently in the hospital and needs your prayers and whatever assistance you are able and willing to offer.

As you may be aware of, Barry has enriched the lives of millions of children and the public across the West Coast and Northwest areas of the United States by donating locomotives, rolling stock and parts to our program over the years.

Barry has not only helped us out over the years but he has been instrumental in providing redesign of Bachman locomotive drives (among others) for the large-scale hobby. Barry (with help from Dave Goodson who did structural and electrical, among others) recently rebuilt a drive for our Disneyland Railroad locomotive project, which incidentally, is an LGB. This locomotive is the only LGB locomotive to ever be fitted with a Barry’s Big Trains drive and it is a smooth operating, powerful and good looking locomotive. You can see this locomotive in operation on the video below and in posts here on this site, under our name. In addition there are other videos on our You Tube channel with this locomotive in operation before completion.

Many of you out there own one of Barry’s locomotives and fully understand the fantastic design and pulling capabilities of Barry’s equipment.

I consider Barry to be my best friend but since this happened rather quickly, within a day or two, his phone goes to voicemail immediately, so I don’t know much more at this time. I will have to post additional information as soon as I can get it, here on this post.

I am not exactly sure on his condition yet but it must be serious because his daughter Liz posted a comment on our You Tube video channel and has set up a Go-Fund-Me page which you can read below. Check out our other videos with Barry’s locomotives or add your You Tube videos/photos of Barry’s equipment to this post.

We are unable to add photos to our posts here because all of our posts are done via smartphone. Not sure of the problem.

Here is the You Tube video. Please read the comments at the bottom of the page.

https://youtu.be/nXYQ9IY2C0U

Barry’s daughter has a Go-Fund-Me page that you can contribute funds to help out, if you would like.

https://www.gofundme.com/barry-olsen

Many thanks to Barry for all he has done for our program, Imagination Station Kids On Track and his wonderful contributions to the large-scale train hobby.

GET WELL SOON BARRY! From all of us at Imagination Station Kids On Track, all the kids and families who have enjoyed running your locomotives/trains over the years, as well as all of us large scale hobbyists!! THANK YOU!

More information as it comes available

Ken/Imagination Station Kids On Track

#2

Update:
Was able to speak to Barry briefly.
Barry’s condition is very serious. He is very weak with a serious ulcer/aortic anurism. Unfortunately, his insurance doesn’t cover everything and his inability to continue working on trains due to these and other health reasons has resulted in a loss of his extra income. If you are able and willing to help out, it will really be appreciated. Check out the Go-Fund-Me page to help.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t, just keep him in your thoughts and prayers and Thank you!

More info as it is available.

Ken

#3

Through the years, Barry has been a big friend of the “Largescale” hobby. I wish him the best.

#4

There are financial aides available for the lower income retirees other than that so called “Go Fund Me” Barry is eligible for Medicaid. All his daughter has to do is fill out the forms.

I did this for my Mom and Aunt when they were hospitalized.

Yes, I have a couple Barry’s Drives and they are wonderful.

#5

I read the go fund me page, and was a bit confused.

So, the people who want $2,000 seem to include the daughter of his first marriage, and she states something about coming to see him, and patch and fixing up his house. She’s in Rockport, TX, and Barry is in Phoenix. $2k would handle plane tickets and some home repairs I guess.

Please keep us updated Ken… honestly I’m more concerned about his health and medical needs than his house.

Regards, Greg

#6

Greg,

I noticed that also and that is why I had to call Barry myself to conform and the way I understood him in my brief conversation with him, even though he was kinda groggy, was that his insurance didn’t cover him completely and since she said it may be the last time she sees him, well you can see where I was concerned immediately.

John,

Your right about financial assistance and I hope the hospital he is in is helping with that. I won’t be able to contact him any longer unless he gets better according to his doctor because he won’t be able to speak to anyone but his daughter Liz.

Ric and everyone else;

Thank You for your get well wishes and I will just do my best to find out what I can, if they will continue allowing it. I will also forward each person’s messages to Barry, if they let me.

I only put this post here because of how serious his health was portrayed to me and how suddenly he ended up in the hospital.

I hope I did the right thing in doing it but either way, I also wish him the very best. It’s truly hard to find people with a good heart and additionally he has been a remarkably talented person in this hobby and he has shared that with all of us.

I wish I could do more myself but I have a bed ridden mom to care for who can’t be left alone, so I’m unable to go see him. I couldn’t afford it financially anyhow, so hopefully the folks down there are straight forward with us and honest in their efforts and concerns.

I do know that the hospital he is in is one of the best!

Thank you again,

Ken

#7

I would make the following suggestions:

AFTER Barry gets out of the hospital, it will be some time before he is billed. I know this since my wife had $500,000 of hospital bills this year. AFTER he gets out, THEN is the time to do a gofundme to help with bills beyond his insurance. (also at that point the amount will be known, maybe he will need a lot more)

If his daughter needs financial assistance to visit her father, from Texas to Phoenix, I would suggest the current gofundme is made more clear. If she is really financially unable to go see her dad, that’s a much more compelling reason to donate. I understand it may be embarrassing to put this “out there” but if you are asking for donations, it’s what it is, i.e. the price for donations may be a bit embarrassing. Honesty and transparency is always appreciated.

Best wishes for Barry and his family.

Greg

#8

Ric Golding said:

Through the years, Barry has been a big friend of the “Largescale” hobby. I wish him the best.

+1

Never owned any of his products but a well know name’/product within the hobby and I too wish him and his family well .

#9

Heres prayers for a full recovery

#10

Greg,

I wholeheartedly agree that the Go-Fund-Me page needs clarification and I definitely will let her know, if I can ever figure how to contact her. I have not been in contact with her at all. Just Barry.

Pat, Rooster, Greg,

Thank you guys. IF they allow me to speak Barry again, I’ll sure let him know and extend your well wishes.

Thanks everyone!

Ken

#11

Update,

Barry’s condition at this time is very serious. I have spoken to him and even though he is a big groggy, he extends his gratitude to everyone for their kind thoughts, words of encouragement and prayers. He has 2 stress tests to pass tomorrow, (12/24/18) as he calls it, to determine whether his body has the stength to endure surgery. All we can do now is wait and hope for the best. Surgery is crucial & mandatory, if he can pass these 2 tests. All updates are given upon Barry’s request and permission. Family will be visiting on the 26th when he is physically able.

Will continue to update as information is available.

Thank you! Ken

#12

I don’t know Barry personally, however I’ve spoken to him on the phone a few years back when he built a new system for my Bachmann Connie…wonderful work. a very talented and seemingly generous man from what I’m reading. I wish him and his family all the best during this difficult time and will pray that he can pass his stress tests so this much needed surgery can be done.

Richard

#13

It’s always a difficult situation when friends are affected by the process of aging and our bodies reacting to that aging. Thoughts and prayers are with him…

#14

Thanks Stan,

I mentioned your name as an honorable contributor to the construction of the Disneyland Railroad locomotive that is in the video above. It’s in the description below the video on You Tube.

Hope the contact I gave you worked out ok.

Thanks for everything you’ve done.

Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2019 to everyone.

Nothing new to report yet.

Ken

#15

Got some more info, and TOC was able to speak to Barry at the hospital. Liz needs to see her Dad, and check on bills that are piling up at home with no one to pay them.

Greg

#16

Sad to hear this. Barry’s a good guy and has been a huge help to the hobby.

#17

Update: more information on the gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/barry-olsen

His daughter is trying to get out to see him, take care of his bills coming in, and other items. She’s had bad luck herself losing her house in the last hurricane in Texas. I’m not one that often gets involved here, but this will benefit Barry, so I encourage others to donate, even if it’s just $20 or so.

Regards, Greg

#18

Update,

I was previously told Barry had passed his stress tests, however that information was inaccurate

Barry did NOT pass the stress tests and therefore surgery is not an option in his condition.

We don't know if he will be able to go home but at this point he is weak and it's highly unlikely. 

Family is on the way to visit because we're not sure how long he may have. If however he pulls through, he probably will be in an assisted care facility permanently.

He has 3 total optons which none are good.

All information updated today by phone, per Liz, Barry's daughter.

More updates as they are available. 

Ken

#19

Hello to everyone once again,

I received a message from Barry’s daughter which is partially shown below.

Unfortunately, Barry is not doing well and is being moved to a hospice/ rehab section. I spoke to him briefly today and he was very happy to hear from me but very, very weak.

Liz , (his daughter) ask me to relay this information to all his friends and to all of you. Below is the message to me from her.

Due to privacy concerns, unrelated sections of this message are not posted, however this is 85% or most of it.

Ken,

We will be moving him to a rehab/ hospice area soon, so he isn’t doing well. We still need the support of the fundraiser, now more than ever. Maybe you can relay this news to his friends in a tactful way because I really don’t know how. I Thank you for all your help and support. I will keep you posted, I will call you tomorrow. - Liz

If you folks can help, here is the Go-Fund-Me page again.

https://www.gofundme.com/barry-olsen

#20

I don’t mean to be unkind, but the funding request would probably be more successful if Liz Harris would simply tell people what the money is to be used for.

Maybe I’m missing something, and I understand and sympathize that she must be under a lot of stress, but “Im not real good at asking or explaining myself, Im sorry,” isn’t very helpful.