I apologise for the sound quality. here is a louder version of the video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eLWTYL10mbWyqps.html unfortunately the quality is not better, however a friend of mine has the original DVD, so eventually I will upload a better quality version.

Met Bob at a model railex in the mid 70's. Very approachable and generous with his time, happy to answer the daft questions of a shy 14 year old schoolboy. Real gentleman.

Now there's a gentleman that I'd all but forgotten. Bob Symes. I'm about to start a build, so this video is of extra interest, as well as being a trip down memory lane

Bob Symes has unfortunately passed on. But he was a BBC TV personality and known for doing rail related programmes. He had a Gauge 1 layout around his garden, and later 10 inch gauge. Bob was in reality an Austrain Count, who's father was executed by the Nazis for trying to resist the takeover by Germany of Austria. Bob managed to flee Austria and came straight to Britain, where he signed up with the British Royal Navy to fight the Germans, for the duration . He remained in Britain post war and married a BBC lady Programmes Producer. I knew Bob for some years. I found him fast asleep one night on Platform 1 at Waterloo. He had been in the BBC staff club having a little tipple, and they had Chauffeured him to the station in time to catch the last Guildford New Line train home. As I was the Driver of the train, I helped him still half asleep into the cab, and let him sink into the Guards seat. Being in the dark he continued to doze until the bell to start from the Guard woke him up. I flicked the cab light on for a moment so he would know where he was and with whom, and of course he was now wide awake, as it seems he'd never been in the cab of an EMU before. Fortunately he was with me, because when we got to Clandon station where he got off, some idiot had turned off all the station lights and locked up the station, so he couldn't get off the platform. Obviously I couldn't expect an elderly Count to climb over the station railings, so I found a gate with a standard No 1 lock I had a key for. So I was able to let his wife who was waiting outside the fence take him home in a dignified manner !! I made a number of visits to his beautiful house near Guildford, which was strangely very Austrian looking, and even set in a little dell surrounded by Pines that made it all look as though it could have been in the Alps. Bob at that time had Gauge 1 Association meetings at his house regularly, with tea and cakes on the lawn. And crazy members with Nitrous Oxide fueled Fulgurex Gauge 1 locos, that hurtled down the track like rockets and took off at the first bend to land in the Tulips, literally. Bob of course was known in the Gauge 1 modelling world for building a Gauge 1 BR Class 47 with a fully working scale model of the original Sulzer 2,750hp 16 cylinder Diesel engine. A feat not thought possible.

Loved watching Bob on model world in the 70s. Thanks for uploading fantastic video.

Bob Symes,, a gentltmanly Jack Hargreaves,, both easy to listen to and both very interesting, they could make watching paint dry interesting,, many thanks.

Was just remembering Bob's model programmes the other day. It's good to see this reminder of him

Not only do I remember Bob Symes I also remember having that boy's red and yellow T-Shirt!! And running out first model logic on a piece of track on the carpet.

I seem to remember this chap on Tomorrow's World (unless that was someone else). He's so enthusiastic.

I now know what Santa does the rest of the year

How refreshing ...........compare this to " today's t.v "

Willy touching

but dressed as l am now..................

God the audio is so terrible, but i dont think i care. Its nice to hear Bob again.

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