A love of connections in trains and thought

Harvey Bartle Jr., 99, formerly of Villanova, a retired neurologist and psychiatrist who loved trains, died June 4 at the Beaumont at Bryn Mawr retirement community in Lower Merion Township.

Dr. Bartle grew up outside Pittsburgh. After earning a bachelor's degree and a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, he completed an internship and a residency in neurology and psychiatry at Bryn Mawr Hospital. There he met his future wife, Dorothy Baker, a nursing student.

He served on the staffs at Bryn Mawr, Roxborough Memorial Hospital, and Fairmount Farm, a former psychiatric facility in Philadelphia. He was past president of Roxborough Memorial Hospital and the Main Line Medical Society; was past vice president of the staff at Bryn Mawr; and served on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which certifies physicians in those specialties. He often testified in court as a forensic psychiatrist.

Dr. Bartle maintained a practice in West Philadelphia and later in Bryn Mawr for many years. He retired in 1996 at 87.

As a child, Dr. Bartle often accompanied his father, a physician for the Pennsylvania Railroad, on long-distance train trips, sometimes riding in private cars reserved for the railroad's top brass. He still had a train set he received from his parents when he was 6. He created a railroad metropolis in the basement of the Roxborough home he shared with his wife, and later had an elaborate train layout at their home in Villanova.

When the couple moved to Beaumont in 1988, he persuaded the administration to let him set up his trains in two empty rooms. His large G-scale trains - some passenger cars were nearly two feet long - reflected the history of railroading, from wood-burning steam locomotives to sleek Acela-like electric cars. Once a month he operated the trains for Beaumont residents and their guests.

Dr. Bartle was still operating his layout until several weeks ago, said his son Harvey III, chief judge of U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.

In 2002, Dr. Bartle told an Inquirer reporter: "I'm interested in railroads. Toy railroads and real railroads. It's a fascinating business."

During travels in the United States, Europe and Asia, he and his wife took trains wherever possible, including one memorable trip on the Orient Express, their son said.

Both opera buffs, the Bartles attended Metropolitan Opera performances over 47 years, often taking a train to New York. They would arrive home at 1 a.m., and Dr. Bartle would be at the hospital for rounds at 6 a.m.

Dr. Bartle's wife of 61 years died in 2001. In addition to his son Harvey, he is survived by sons Paul and John, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 28 at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave.

Memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth Woodson Bartle Fund, Children's Hospital Foundation, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia 19104.