Jim Shaughnessy, Today

I am sorry to say that Jim Shaughnessy passed away this morning, after an illness which began after the turn of the year. Jim has been a strong influence with his black-and-white photography and his writings for many of us; that is certainly true for me. I first wrote to him when I was eighteen. As editor recently for the Rutland Railroad Historical Society's quarterly magazine, I can only say that Jim has been completely generous in his support with photographs, captions, and articles for our slim publication over what is now thirty years.

There will be a wake in Troy on Friday and a funeral on Saturday. If any here would like to know more information about the particulars, you can reach me at dsaums@msn.com. There seems to be no more appropriate place to say this than on a list focused on readers and collectors of railroad books. Jim set the standard, with "Delaware & Hudson" and "The Rutland Road" from Howell-North. My copies are on the shelf directly in front of me as I write this, well-worn indeed.

Rest in peace, and deep sorrows for Carol, Jim's wife.