Chris Klein sad news

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
I saw a passing comment on another forum reporting Chris's untimely passing yesterday. Wasn't sure if it was true or not as there was no confirmation elsewhere and hoped it was someone's sick idea of a joke. Truly shocked and saddened this morning to find it was true after all.

As others have said, Chris was an inspiration to many modellers and his involvement with setting up Minerva has I'm sure launched many into 7mm. Great chap to talk to and will be sadly missed.

My condolences to his nearest and dearest.
 

Iain Gould

Member
A very sad event indeed I didn't know Chris personally but I found his 7MM articles very helpful and also he seemed a really decent bloke RIP Chris.
 
A

Arun

Guest
I was informed by Chris Basten of Minerva Models yesterday afternoon that Minerva's co-owner Chris Klein had died suddenly earlier that day.
Many on here will have met Chris Klein at shows where he displayed and sold his Ixion and Minerva models. I first met him fleetingly in the Army [1 STAFFS] in Germany around 1986 but had no idea that I would one day be pattern-making a 97xx pannier tank conversion kit for him - indeed, I had no idea that model railways were 'his thing' or that they would become a much greater part of my life either.
He was a generous man with his time and always gave good well-considered advice. I saw more of him more recently as part of the Gauge 0 Guild Reform Group where again his sense of right and wrong 'maintained the aim' of the group.
He will be missed by all who met him and I pass my condolences to his family and to Chris Basten, his business partner in Minerva.
 

freelance7

Western Thunderer
Sad news, I only spoke to him a couple of times at shows, he was always very helpful. He will be sadly missed.

Paul.
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
I posted an emoji earlier, as I was supposed to be heading to hospital. Now I’ve a chance to say my thoughts at a little length.

Chris was one of my first "proper" clients. I built a rake of three JLTRT Collett coaches for him, which he was overjoyed with. I was never sure if he was joking when he told me he was so pleased with them that he would take them out of the boxes and just sit gazing at them!

A little later he asked me to see if I could finish off a big 2-8-0 tank he’d got stuck on. It’s still one of my favourite locos.

We always made a point of stopping to chat with both Chrises on the Minerva stand at shows. Mr K will be much missed by all that knew him.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Just read the sad news of Chris's passing. He was a particularly fine modeller and an inspiration when it came to weathering. I was flattered when my O gauge GWR Toad went to his layout. He seemed to have gone quiet of late and I assumed he was working on his next production after the Panniers.

My most sincere condolences to his family.
 

michael mott

Western Thunderer
I did not Know Chris and only read about him on this forum, It is always sad to hear about such a loss to the community where he contributed. My condolences to his family and friends.

Michael
 

adrian

Flying Squad
I did not Know Chris and only read about him on this forum
Likewise I'm afraid - I don't think I ever met Chris personally so I have been reticent to post my condolences as I was uncomfortable doing so as I felt I would be intruding when it has obviously had a profound affect on many that had a closer connection with him. From the many comments from his friends it seems he was a very generous person and a "giver" and our hobby will be the poorer for his passing. My only knowledge of him is through his work with Minerva and for that I have the highest regard. There have many that have tried to bring RTR to 7mm and failed but through Minerva and their pioneering work I think he has made a huge impact in encouraging modellers into 7mm. So my sincere condolences to his family and colleagues at Minerva - I hope they appreciate the positive and recognised contribution he made to the hobby.

That said my abiding memory of Chris will always be the Peppa Pig chronicles on the GOG forum to remind us always not to take ourselves too seriously and that at the end of the day it's just a few toy trains.

RIP Chris. :'(
 
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