As many of you were aware through the 87scalecars e-mail list Lyle Noah had recently taken ill. Lyle (of Scratch Built Scale Models) passed away November 17, 2002 at 1:35 AM. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor two months ago and at that time was unable to continue modeling. Our hobby has lost a great scratch builder with a vast knowledge of the logging and trucking industry.

I met Lyle over 25 years ago when we were driving tow trucks. He was just starting to build trucks and logging equipment for his train layouts back then. I saw his talent develop over those years as a modeler. He finally started building models for a living when he hurt his back. He was the one responsible for my entry into the 1/87 vehicle business. I was trying to help him with a special dry bulk body shape which became my first truck as a manufacturer. He showed me how to work with styrene plastics and encouraged my developement as a model builder. He was a great friend and I will miss our visits together where we built trucks and exchanged ideas.

There has been a fund set-up by Steve Kelsey at Mainline Trains in Forest Grove,Oregon, to help out the family with expenses. Steve can be contacted at 503-992-8181 or mltrains@teleport.com for information where to send donations. Jim Billington [posted 11/18/2002]

Certainly our thoughts and prayers go out to Lyle's family; we have indeed lost a very dear friend in our modeling hobby. Thanks to Jim Billington for his tribute to Lyle. Check out our special tribute Photo Gallery to Lyle.