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In memoriam: Lee Riley of Bachmann Trains
So sad indeed! I’ll miss Lee at the annual International Toy Fair held in Nuremberg, Germany. Busy as he was, he always could spare a few precious minutes chatting about all the new multi-scale products he was working on while showing me the newest ones Bachmann had to offer. “Mr. Model Railroader” has passed on to the roundhouse in the sky just beyond the Big Rock Candy Mountains and is now having a high-ball of a time running trains with the greats like John Allen, Lynn Westcott, and Andy Sperandeo. RIP guys, you will never be forgotten!
Is there any news on the cause? Did he retire due to illness? My dad had many locomotives painted by Lee some of which are still in my collection since my fathers passing.
Mr. Riley’s passing is a great loss to to the model rr hobby. His devotion to the Bachmann (my model train manufacturer of choice) line of products promoted a confidence and satisfaction in many purchases. My condolences to his family and I know he’ll be missed by the Bachmann staff. Thank you MRM and Kalmbach Publishing for posting the news.
Lee always added to the jolliness of those Monday nights at Pro-Custom Hobbies. I still can see him in my memory the night he walked in and announced that he was going to work for Bachmann – and Lee had big dreams for Bachmann. A lot of us smiled and rolled our eyes. But, Lee made those dreams a reality that has changed model railroading for the better forever. He was a man to be admired. Condolences to his family and many friends.
As one of the original and “unofficial members” of the PCH “Board of Directors”, it saddens me greatly to learn of Lee’s passing. I spent many an hour with Lee, Nolan, and Joe, trading stories and techniques over a PBR or two on our Monday night gatherings. It was Lee to whom I personally traded some of my childhood Lionel accessories for some HO Ma & Pa items, which I will now cherish even more. Lee was a fountain of knowledge and a good sounding board as to what might work. I see his hand in the Bachmann G-Scale PRR 4-6-0 and coaches in its turn-of-the-century livery I have. A fine gentleman worthy of a Permanent Pass and First Class Ticket to Paradise.
With Jim Allen of our modular group, I met Lee at a TrainFest a few years ago. We went to have a 1/2 hour lunch before setting up the modular RR. Our conversation was more than a “few precious moments” as it turned into 2.5 hours of total fascination learning about model railroading manufacturing at the feet of a master. I am honored to have met a wonderful, giving gentleman whose well-traveled shoes will be hard to fill. I know he received a green board at Heaven’s Gate. RIP, Sir.
Very sorry and surprised to hear about Lee. He and I go back to the Friday night sessions at Pro Custom Hobbies. Condolences to his family. He will be missed by many.