Model Railroading > Stockton & Copperopolis Railroad, Don Ball’s passing

Don Ball, known for his articles in Model Railroader, his wonderful Stockton & Copperopolis Railroad layput and his historical works, passed away January 21, 2022 at his home in Blue Springs, MO.  Don was an outstanding modeler, building complex, highly detailed scratch locomotives and structures on his layout.  He will be missed!

Here are some links to more information about his layout and projects.  Check out the YouTube video on the second link!

https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/model-train-layouts/a-model-railroad-that-turns-the-clock-back-to-1895/

http://sandcrr.blogspot.com/
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/22 14:00 by mpe383.

His books were superb.

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

MojaveBill Wrote:
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> His books were superb.

There must have been more than one Don Ball in the hobby.  Don Ball, the author of several railroad books, passed away in 1986.

RuleG Wrote:
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> There must have been more than one Don Ball in the
> hobby.  Don Ball, the author of several railroad
> books, passed away in 1986.

Thanks, I thought I remembered that Don Ball had passed away many years ago.

CPR_4000 Wrote:
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> RuleG Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There must have been more than one Don Ball in
> the
> > hobby.  Don Ball, the author of several
> railroad
> > books, passed away in 1986.
>
> Thanks, I thought I remembered that Don Ball had
> passed away many years ago.

Don Ball Jr passed away 10/15/86 in Norwalk CT at 48 years of age.  He authored a great series of hardbound books.  Early ones in black/white photography and later ones in color.  His last book was: The Pennsylvania Railroad 1940s - 1950s.  Coincidentally, I just re-read it within the past week.
jb

The Don Ball referenced in this post was unrelated to the railfan author. However, he was certainly the builder of the beautiful Stockton & Copperopolis, and the author of several articles about it.

He was a fantastically skilled model builder, passionate student of history, and all-around great guy to be around. The hobby lost a good one.

- Jeff Carlson