Sperandeo joined the Model Railroader staff in 1979. Over the years he worked his up through the ranks, becoming editor in 1993 and, later, executive editor. Most recently he was editor of Model Railroader’s annual Great Model Railroads issue. He was also a prolific author for Kalmbach Books.
Sperandeo’s expertise extended to all facets of the model-railroad hobby, but he was especially known for his command of realistic train operations, as reflected in his popular column in the magazine, “The Operators.”
“Andy was an excellent model builder, a diligent researcher, and a meticulous editor,” says Model Railroader Editor Neil Besougloff. “We will remember all of that, but mostly we remember that Andy was our close friend.”
A renowned expert on the Santa Fe, Sperandeo was active in the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society, as well as the National Model Railroad Association. His home layout is a faithful interpretation of the Santa Fe’s main line through California’s Cajon Pass in the late 1940s.
Sperandeo was a native of New Orleans. He earned his B.A. in English from Loyola of the South, an M.A. from Louisiana State University, and was working on his Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas when Model Railroader lured him to Milwaukee in 1979.
A burial ceremony is planned for Saturday, with funeral details pending.
RIP Andy the Operators lost one of the good ones. So long Andy and thanks for the tips.
Oh– MAN-N-N!!!
Andy was one of my heroes. I just got the wind kicked out of me! He was just one of the best. I don't want to believe it. I only met him once at a convention. There was a line of guys wanting to speak with him. How often do you see that?
You're right Mr. Pohl, and I believe he and John Allen are having a whale of a time on the Happy Valley Line and they are operating on the best built Gorre & Dephetid Lines ever conceived!
Thank you, Andy, for everything . . .
I'm very sorry to hear of Andy' passing away I hope God Grants him eternal rest and MY sincere Condoleces to his family
Incredibly sad new about Andy. He will be missed!
What a guy! Though I'm sure he'd think I annoyed him at least a bit, I'll never forget his patience with me exchanging quite a few emails about a circuit diagram in his book on wiring model railroads that I was just having a really hard time wrapping my head around. He got me straight, though. He'll be missed sorely by many. I just wish I had had a chance to meet him in person. So, Andy, here's a big "Paradise Limited, Clear Signal, Heaven's Gate." to ya.
I knew Andy for over 40 years and he was always helpful. We would meet for lunch or dinner in Milwaukee and he would tour me through layouts and the MR home office. I was also fortunate to have Andy visit and operate a bit on my layout. He gave me some encouragement that my lay was better than I may have thought. It was ironic that I was visiting New Orleans to help dispose some of the railroad estate of one of Andy's closest friends Lou Schultz when I heard the news. Condolences to Andy's family and hope he will be at peace operating upstairs.
This is sad to hear as I always enjoyed reading his articles and watching the videos he made for MR. My sympathies go out to his family and friends.
I'll miss seeing his byline.
Well miss his Santa Fe RR because it's the RR that I nodel too.