The Passing of a Trackside Friend
Bob Hughes, who has been an active supporter and contributor to The Trackside Photographer from the very beginning, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020, after a long illness.
When I launched the site in March, 2016, I published the first article and sent out an email to about seventy writers and photographers explaining the purpose of The Trackside Photographer and asking for submissions. Bob replied that same day: “Count me in!” he said, and we published the first piece by Bob, “Built to Last,” on March 24. Thirteen more excellent stories followed, and he turned in his last article, “A Lifetime Love of Trains” on August 22, 2019.
Bob became interested in the railroad while attending college and hanging around the Maine Central’s Waterville yard (see A Maine Central Education). He later worked on the New Haven (Best Job in the World) for nine years before embarking on a career in magazine printing and production.
Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeing Bob in person, but we emailed often and talked on the phone from time to time. His support and enthusiasm for The Trackside Photographer was a tremendous encouragement to me, and I counted Bob as a treasured friend. I know that there are many within the railroad community who will mourn this loss. He will be missed.
Edd Fuller, Editor
I met Bob several years ago and we became very good friends as the result of many shared connections and our times together. I am greatly saddened to have learned of his passing.
I didn’t know Bob at all, except through his words, and they said much. not only about the theme of his piece, but also about the man. Hiw writing will be missed.
BOB worked as a ticket seller when I was ticket agent at Stamford Conn. He told me that he wanted to get into the towers. I gave him a rule book and told him to learn it. When he told me he was ready I sent him up to the Dispatchers office in New Haven for his test which he passed perfectly. He was then put on the telegraphers roster and went to work in Stamford SS 38 and South Norwalk SS44. He loved it.
He will be missed by all of his FRIENDS
The following is a very short bio of Bob Hughes that he approved and which was included in the book “The Classic Railway Signal Tower.” I will try to write a more personal post soon.
Robert Hughes began his New Haven Railroad service as a ticket clerk during the summer of 1967. Upon graduating from Colby College with a B.A. Degree in Government in 1968, he went back to the New Haven as a Tower Operator. For several years, Bob held a “relief job” that covered shifts in both S.S.38/Stamford and S.S.44/Berk. Following a stint in the US Navy, he was promoted to Yardmaster in 1972. In 1973, he took a management position with the LIRR first as a Schedule Planning Analyst and later as a Management Training Specialist. Bob left the LIRR and the railroad industry after receiving his MBA Degree from Fordham University, and entered the magazine-publishing profession. His second-career responsibilities have included the logistical challenges of magazine printing and distribution, and the management of contractors performing these services. This work has taken him all over the world including Europe, Asia and even Africa. While living in England, Bob was an active member of the historical and preserved Nene Valley Railroad. Now back working in New York City, he is one of the more knowledgeable commuters on the New Haven Line.
Steve McEvoy
I first met Bob Hughes in the S.S.38 Stamford Signal Tower in 1968 when he became a fellow New Haven Railroad tower operator. I later induced him to take a LIRR management job, where he worked until he left the rail industry. We stayed in touch with each other for the 52 years since meeting. When Bob and Lynn lived in Peterborough England, we visited them and had a great time. The four of us drove the 14 miles together to have a fine dinner in Stamford England, to celebrate our first meeting in the S.S.38 Stamford Tower in Connecticut.
Bob was a fine railroader and a wonderful person. I will miss him greatly!
Steve McEvoy
This is a sad day. I hope that you are doing fine.
Bob was my brother and, as you all know, an avid railroad fan. I remember growing up with a complex Lionel train set complete with all the bells and whistles as well as an HO set. He loved that my grandparents had a house opposite a train track and he would watch the freight trains all the time. Lastly, his favorite record was “Sparky and the Talking Train” recorded in the early 50’s. He was so happy when I found it on You Tube, converted it to an MP3 file and sent it to him. He was the best.
Prayers and condolences to family, friends, and the railfan community, that the Holy Spirit will comfort you all during this time. God Bless
Bob was an ardent supporter of the SoNo Switch Tower Museum in Norwalk, CT. That’s because he worked there in the late 60s and early 70s when the building was known as Signal Station 44/Berk Tower. As a volunteer docent at the Tower, Bob always felt at home, just as he did when he worked as an operator. If visitors came when Bob was on duty at the museum, they would swear they were spending time with the 1st trick operator. Bob gave them a tour and then regaled them with his many railroad stories.
Bob thoroughly enjoyed composing photo essays for Edd Fuller and his “Trackside Photographer” site. We enjoyed reading them!
Bob will be missed by all the volunteers at the SoNo Switch Tower Museum.
Garf
So sorry to read of Bob’s recent passing. I met Bob through this site, as we shared a common interest. While a student at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, Bob ‘hung out’ and photographed the action at the Maine Central Railroad yards located there. I was born and raised in Waterville and that same place was my ‘hangout’ as well only a few years later. I thoroughly enjoyed his articles and photos of the MEC. They took me back to much better times. We discovered that we knew many of the same people who worked there also. I enjoyed our many e-mails and shared memories of those places and Rail events in the Waterville area now long gone. We also had a mutual interest in the sea, as I later on went on to sail in the Merchant Marine as a deck officer.
To Bob’s family; please be assured of my prayers for Bob and for you as well. This is certainly a most difficult time. From what I learned of Bob, his was a life certainly well-lived. That in itself is a blessing!
Rest in peace Bob.
Kevin LaMarre
Raymond, Maine
It is very sad indeed to hear of Bob’s passing. Certainly he will be missed by all whose lives he has touched over the years. He befriended me and we really enjoyed each others company on the occasions we had to do so. I too was a tower operator and a veteran as was Bob. He told some good stories on both accounts. He loved to take photos of the trains and Naval subjects.. He will be missed. God speed Bob. I will look you up at the final roll call.