Large Scale Central

Jim Francis

General Discussion
#1

Hey folks
I just received word that Jim Francis passed away this morning. He wasn’t very active on the site here, but I did get an e-card at Christmas from him every year.

#2

That’s a shame. I knew him from LSOL and visited him when I was out there staying with my brother. I, too, got a e card from him at Christmas. Thanks for the up date Bob, I will have to send my condolences to Becky…

#3

Awww man…sorry to hear that…

#4

Great guy, will be missed greatly!!Regal

#5

My condolences to his friends and family.

#6

Very sorry to hear this.

#7

Jim was good people, We chatted often on MLS. It’s a shame but his wisdom and knowledge will live on thru us.
Nick

#8

Was Jim Francis the guy with the raised beds in his back yard for the railroad?

#9

Yea, he lived in Moreno Valley, CA.

#10

Okay, I had a chance to visit him in January, of 2005. That’s the trip we had to turn back because of flooding at Carlyle, Never did see much of the railroad built, but sure do remember the big planters and walkways. Thanks Ken.

#11

Jim’s passing hit me pretty hard, but he knew it was coming. I saw him in the hospital before he decided to go on hospice…and visited him several times before his death…at his request. He asked me to do all the work of getting rid of his GRR estate and all the books he’d amassed about trolleys and trains. He didn’t want to load his wife Becky down with that responsibility…and he thought I’d be able to get it done before he died. I’ve been working on that for a couple of weeks and keeping him posted.

He knew and I knew the last time we saw each other last Wednesday it was going to be the last time we met…so we said our goodbyes. He was a wonderful friend whose failing health precluded him doing much more than kit building. He was good at that too. He had bunches of Hartford and Phil Dipple kits completed…and he had more train stuff than most brick and mortar hobby shops. I’m selling what’s left, over on MLS in their classifieds if anyone is interested. He definitely liked the high end kits.

#12
Mike Reilley said:
Jim's passing hit me pretty hard, but he knew it was coming. I saw him in the hospital before he decided to go on hospice...and visited him several times before his death...at his request. He asked me to do all the work of getting rid of his GRR estate and all the books he'd amassed about trolleys and trains. He didn't want to load his wife Becky down with that responsibility...and he thought I'd be able to get it done before he died. I've been working on that for a couple of weeks and keeping him posted.

He knew and I knew the last time we saw each other last Wednesday it was going to be the last time we met…so we said our goodbyes. He was a wonderful friend whose failing health precluded him doing much more than kit building. He was good at that too. He had bunches of Hartford and Phil Dipple kits completed…and he had more train stuff than most brick and mortar hobby shops. I’m selling what’s left, over on MLS in their classifieds if anyone is interested. He definitely liked the high end kits.


Thanks for posting here Mike, Jim was good people. I hope you stop by here more often.
Nick

#13

Thanks for posting that, Mike. I knew you two were pretty good friends because the first time I met you was at Jim and Becky’s. I
know that had to pretty rough on the both of you.

#14

Just caught up with this thread. So sorry to hear that Jim is no longer with us, he was a hell of a nice bloke and a good chat friend back in the old days.
On the other hand, think about the GR waiting for the rest of us the other side of the Pearly Gates, Jim has joined Piute John, CJ (Chili John), NJ George Thomas, JD Laffoon, Tiny and others I’m sure will come back to my mind and with all of that expertise I reckon eternity could be a lot of fun! (provided the RCS batteries hold out…)
Jim, bless you, another one of the good blokes gone.

#15

Did Jim ever get his garden railroad done? He really had a good thing going, it would be a shame if it was never completed.

#16

Jim did not get the GRR finished. He got it to the point of getting the roadbed installed and then his health failed.

#17

I’ve posted more stuff to sell over on MLS. That kinda ends his GRR equipment sale. I’m now onto selling his RR book library…and a whole bunch of new LLagas Creek code 250 track and turnouts he has. Gonna figure out the books tomorrow…and the track later.

#18

The book list is up over on MLS. There’s quite a nice list of Logging Railroad books…that being one of Jim’s major interest areas.

#19

Mike,

I’d say you’ve been a good friend to Jim.