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Post by Adam on Nov 18, 2023 17:13:57 GMT
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of a beloved friend, Brian Vaill. Founder of the O Gauge Forum and the D56 Club, Brian was a visionary in the world of model trains and Department 56 villages. We have added this to our website Beautiful way to honor and remember him. Thank you!
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Post by northstar on Nov 18, 2023 19:30:48 GMT
I was wondering how Brian would handle the Christmas season this year without his bride. I know it was a special time for both of them. I have been following his contributions ever since the early OGR days and when he had that massive layout in an earlier house.
Trains and Department 56 are not important right now, but I hope his layout can go somewhere special for others to enjoy.
He is one of those people whose passing leaves an enormous hole in our hobby community. He was one of the greats.
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Post by jdekan on Nov 18, 2023 21:01:31 GMT
My condolences to the Vaill Family. In the short time ive been here on the forum, ive always enjoyed seeing all of Brian's layout work. He will be missed. I will run my passenger cars on a honorary loop for Brian.
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Post by BobS2056 on Nov 18, 2023 21:33:22 GMT
We have added this to our website Beautiful way to honor and remember him. Thank you! I never met Brian in person, but he made me feel like I was his friend for years, very kind man RIP Brian Bob |
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Post by kstrains on Nov 19, 2023 7:20:13 GMT
I'm sadden to hear about Brian's passing. I remember Brian being very enthusiastic about the Christmas Season. He enjoyed everything about it, Hallmark movies, decorations, special deserts, and of course trains especially the Polar Express! He made Christmas special here on OGF with so many different posts. I was grateful for him to allow me to take the lead for several years during the Christmas season with posting of one of his his favorite threads with the Christmas Photo Thread. It was honor to have my Christmas Layout put on the same video as his fantastic layout several years ago done by TM Videos. I always marved at each of his layouts. I never met Brian, but through OGF and Dept 56 Forum's we had friendship together.
Ken
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Post by Craignor on Nov 19, 2023 17:31:10 GMT
Brian dreamed big…
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Post by atsda on Nov 20, 2023 1:58:01 GMT
In the year and a half I have known Brian through the OGF, I have come to know him as a loving husband to Elizabeth, a model Christmas train layout enthusiast, and a friend to all on the forum. His wonderful spirit, positive comments to all, and his passion for the hobby and OGF will be missed. Without a doubt, he is now enjoying his eternal reward. I will miss, but remember him fondly. Alfred
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tgp
Full Member
Posts: 155
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Post by tgp on Nov 20, 2023 12:26:40 GMT
I have to state, I have been privileged to be a part of the forum travel maze for the past 10-12 years for me, as a lot of us were parts of 2 other forums out there. During the last years, beginning around 2018-2019, the formation of OGF, was a project of Brian's spearheading. I appreciate Brian's input with me also, going over some of the aspects of OGF's founding, and other ideas that came about. Seeing the CIC and Polar Express, layout in the garage, at the cabin, where Brian and Elizabeth, moved downsizing, from Otisfield,Me. was just a culmination, of my travels. Debbie, your dad, really used his sales talents, over all aspects, of people, projects, setting out plans, to accomplish. This showed with the magazine presentation that came out in DEC.2018. Our visit will always be a treasure. Also, our similar aspects, in the last years with his ( and Elizabeth), love and affection for their Kuvasz pups, and our Boxers. What a treat to have him as a part of my memories. Thanks- Terry
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Post by jimk on Nov 21, 2023 0:20:56 GMT
Very sorry to hear of this loss to the family and to the railroad community. Condolences to all.
Jim K.
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Post by rcs226e on Nov 21, 2023 13:17:01 GMT
Debbie, so sorry to hear of your dads passing. I know they were passionate about their holiday layouts and I'm sure your mom and dad are together again working on another great one for this holiday season. My sincere condolences. And happy to here there will be a Vaill carrying on the OGF for Brian and Elizabeth.
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Post by bfi66 on Nov 21, 2023 15:30:25 GMT
So very sorry for your loss…..prayers for both Brian and Elizabeth. Brians enthusiasm and contributions to the hobby will be sorely missed.
-Pete
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Post by redjimmy1955 on Nov 21, 2023 22:21:18 GMT
Couldn't be sadder news about a fellow model train enthusiast. My condolences and appreciation of what he did in life.
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Post by curtis on Nov 22, 2023 23:55:56 GMT
Debbie
Wow. This came as a shock to me. I will tell you this, Your Dad and (Step)Mother were both extraordinary people. When I first stumbled upon this forum both were near the first if not the first to welcome me. I tended to watch and not post. Your dad encouraged me to post. I guess I consider myself very fortunate to have had the please to talk to both on the land line a few times. I was one of the last if not the last to purchase the OGF Engine. Your dad nudged and prodded quite a few times. Finally it got to two left and I ordered. I sit here smiling now thinking about that phone call and the many others as it did not show on time. I listened to your dad tell me the story of the whys and the hows it was going to be corrected. When it was all said and done I called to explain my happiness and to tell him I would make a donation to the forum due to the type of forum and the great people. I listened intently as he explained how it was a vision and heard his complaints about other forums. I still laugh when I mentioned we should be nice to other forums regardless and he proceeded to give me way more information than I ever needed to know but wanted to tell me. Did not change my mind on how we need to treat others but sure gave me a ton of incite into him. I truly respected him. My one thought after hearing this was Thanking God. I know that is strange to say but I just felt so relieved he was home and also with his wife Elizabeth whom he loved so very very much. What a blessing. My prayers go out to you for strength and faith. Strength to endure the empty spot in your heart and faith to know he isn't gone, he just went home. We will all see him again even though our appearance will be different. We WILL know him and I am sure by then he will have a train forum going in heaven.
God Bless
Curtis
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sg3
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by sg3 on Nov 27, 2023 9:18:48 GMT
So sad to hear of this😔 Brian invited me to join when this group started because we both enjoyed D56 and The Polar Express. Been out of the loop awhile, I didn't know his wife pased earlier this year too😔. My prayers to the family that God will lay His hand of peace and comfort upon you. It's been a tough year here at home and I was looking forward to their P.E. Christmas layout this year.
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Post by twincities on Dec 15, 2023 16:06:20 GMT
I am missing both elizabeth and brian's presence here I only knew them from posting here on forum my wife and I so enjoyed seeing them bring to life past and current layouts and his last in house static train scenes.
we extend our sympathy's to all here and especially to the family members.
so do you think both are chatting up others and creating an entire sky filled with a train layout.
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