Page 25 - NMRA Roundhouse September-October 2019

Bob’s Green River, Union Pacific layout photo by Craig Tiley
SL-U8363 frog detail photo by PECO
At the 2019 Train Show in Salt Lake City, the NMRA awarded the Distinguished Service Award for “outstanding service to the model railroad industry” to Bob Phelps for all his work with Peco over 52 years. Despite retiring to the South of France three years ago he still continues to offer his services to Peco. A very emotional Bob said he was absolutely lost for words that his industry should think so highly of him. He said he has en- joyed every day of his work there.Who among us has not run their trains over Peco tracks, all designed by Bob Phelps? He receive his award from Pete Magoun, NMRA President, and assisted by Allen Pollock, Chair of the Awards Committee. Congratulations, Bob, from all of us.
Bob’s Union Pacific motive power and yard trackwork photo by Peter Bowen
Pete Magoun MMR, NMRA President presents Bob Phelps with the award in Salt Lake City photo by Mike Arnold
At PECO we always thought that all Bob wanted to do was to design track for his own layout, but of course, the American market is an important one for PECO and it made sound commercial sense to do this. But Bob can be credited for be- ing the driving force behind the program. Pester-power won the day! The line was conceived, designed and produced within the space of 6 months, delivering flexible track, #5 and #6 turnouts, in both Insul- frog and Electrofrog to modelers in one fell swoop. Further developments have since included curved turnouts, crossings and a double slip, and now a new line for the American modeller is being devel- oped: HO Code 70, another line that Bob recommended. After his retirement too!
Asked to reflect on his career, Bob sum- marises, “my job here has never been
a job to me. I made my hobby my life - and not many people can say that!”
Steve Haynes
September/October 2019 - ROUNDHOUSE 25