Today I got some sad news that a long time friend of mine, Tom Wilson had passed away.

The Railways/Railroads brought myself and Tom together many years ago swapping railway slides originally but then meeting up on too few occasions to chase trains. Tom is responsible for my love of North American railroads. Particularly Chicago North Western, Soo Line and Wisconsin Central due to Tom living in Wisconsin when we first started our friendship.

I remember a trip to Florida where myself, my son Graham and Tom went "Rural" as Tom put it, chasing trains. Plant City in particular where we had a non stop procession of AMTRAK and CSX, plus an attack of red ants and a visit from the Police. I took Tom to Oxford and Toton in return.

We also went to the Outback Bar in Taft, Florida, where because of Toms US Navy cap and his service history we managed to get free and cheap drinks at an alarming rate. But Tom wasn't impressed with the price of drinks in our Disney hotel.....and he let them know!

Anyway because of "The Pond" we didn't meet enough or speak enough and as Tom started to suffer from his illness the communication got less and less.

I am fortunate to have known Tom, and fortunate in that I have hundreds of his images in my collection and now wish I had many more.

Here's to you Thomas A Wilson. It was an honour to have known you. RIP.