Bob Harpur

Bob Harpur was involved with Little Engines in the 1950's, and is prominent in several photos in the catalogs of that era.

He later joined Disney as an Imagineer, and lead the group that restored four steam locomotives purchased from United Railways of Yucatan for use at Walt Disney World Resort.

Harpur/Allen Mogul
Grant Carsen posted on Chaski.org:


 * I had a conversation with Gene about this particular engine design (i.e. the Harpur/Allen Mogul). He got the design package from Bob Harpur. He went into the history that Bob built his design from a series ran in the Model Railroader back in the 1940's . A fellow by the name of Mel Thornburgh ran quite a few series on scratch building O scale locomotives. Gene said Bob took the series and multiplied all the dimensions by 6 to turn it into 1.5 scale! Of course it was not all that easy. He had to change it into a working steam powered model, but generally copied it all the way down to the actual cab number, 713!

Steve Zuiderveen posted on Chaski.org:


 * Harpur's design is not so much a version of the 573, but of Mel Thornburgh's model of the 573 from Model Railroader from January through June of 1959. That would include the sharp cornered domes and the fishbelly connecting rods.

Death
RichD posted on Chaski.org, 30 November 2012:


 * Bob Harpur passed this week. Bob was into so many things doing a short bio would be difficult. A Disney Imagineer involved in all of the Disney parks world wide and accomplished live steam builder right to the end. His miniature railroad interests, Harpur Locomotive Works, associated with Little Engines, Bill Van Brocklin and Gene Allen are legendary. The legacy of the Harpur Mogul was passed to Gene many years ago and is now in the capable hands of Marty Knox.


 * Bob was a true asset to the hobby, a friend and CStP&P member.