I first met Neil at the Sanford lions Club Train Show in Sanford, Maine. Bruce Robinson and I would man an information table at these shows to share Seacoast Division NMRA benefits and answer questions about model railroading. Neil walked up and introduced himself, a true gentleman. He recently had moved to Wells, Maine, their retirement home, and was building a model railroad in the basement. Neil said he had a few questions and wasn’t quite sure how to get started. Little did we know that this would develop into a lifetime friendship.

Over the years the questions continued, often answered by E-mail and then at Seacoast Division meetings and eventually at afternoon work sessions in my basement workshop in Rochester, NH. We had great times in what Neil called my ‘Master Clinic Room’. Neil would always follow up with a nice handwritten thank you note or card.

Neil would save all these E-mails with detailed answers in a three-ring binder. I have this book which brings back so many memories. Neil started a new feature at our Seacoast meetings. We have a ‘show-n-tell’ segment where people talk about their latest projects but Neil changed it to ‘Show-N-Ask’! He would always bring something for us to discuss as a group. E.g., drilling holes, LED’s, decals, getting old train show rolling stock to run correctly, and reverse loop wiring. At the end of the day, we all learned from each other, basically “share the fun of model railroading.” He was a Seacoast Division NMRA director from 2010-2011.

During the past several years, Neil was no longer able to attend these meetings due to his health. But fellow members would always ask how Neil was doing and we reminisced about the ‘Show and Ask’ questions.

Neil was a gentleman and a true friend who will be missed. I will always remember those wonderful times we spent together. The true meaning of ‘Share the Fun of Model Railroading’.

Rich Breton
August 11, 2022