From reading the earlier posts I guessed this is what might of happened.
Perhaps Hornby could of trained (no pun intended) someone up to work alongside and eventualy take over the job during the last 10 or so years of Dave Stone's career, he must of been within a few years of retirement?
Sadley this can happen to anyone at any time (I speak from experience).
Sam.
In article , John Turner
> writes
> >Now it is perfectly possible that Hornby were aware early in the year that
> >their chief designer was not well, and that progress on new releases might
> >be delayed as a result.
> >
> >John.
>
> However that is not what actually happened.
>
> Dave Stone was advised by his work mates to go to a doctor during the
> latter half of May as he was looking peaky. He was diagnosed as having
> well advanced cancer and was taken into hospital. He died on 6th June.
> It was a shock to everyone.
>
> He had completed work on the A1/A3 except for the tenders. Hornby now
> have to find someone with the correct experience and knowledge to take
> his place. Dave had been their draughtsman for 43 years.
>
> I got to know Dave while working on my books and he was helping me with
> Volume 3 of the Company's history. He was one of the nicest people I
> have met and will be missed by many of us. He features in the Tri-ang
> Railways video made by Axiom Videos.
>
> Pat