After running into Fred and his Mother while working at Sierra in the '80s, (they were checking up on #34, which they claimed they owned, it was a bit confusing at the time) I got the impression that when it comes right down to it, all Fred really wants is a collection. He would probably be just as happy with HO scale models sitting in boxes in his closet. His mother (if she is still living) is the "brains" of the outfit. She just wants her baby boy to have everything his heart desires. Every bit of cash they have goes to aquisition and keeping the equipment moved one step ahead of the land owners they owe rent money to. Very little if any has gone to restoration. Hopefully the "collection" will not be too bad off when the eventual estate sale is held. Until then Fred can rifle through his card file listing each piece and be his own "museum".

Mr. Nimkish hit the nail on the head. Freddies dad was a succesfull doctor or lawyer if I remember right, and this is where his mom got the money initially. Evidently Fred didn't inherit good financial wisdom as I heard he has not paid a single trucking company. This is partly the reason his stuff is in several locations. When they discovered he wasn't going to pay they dumped it off at the nearest available place.

While it is his equipment I believe that only goes so far. If I have a dog and don't feed it, the excuse of I can do what I want with it because it's mine doesn't work. He has some very cool and rare equipment that is obviously falling into serious decay. We can only hope things change for the better.

kendepot@att.net

Thanks for the pix, Kelly. Growing up in Arizona in the 1960's the 36 and 100 were the locomotives of my youth, the first locomotives I ever saw run, the first engines I ever rode (and ran a bit under Mr. Hatch's quidance). It almost made my cry to see them now.

Back in the late 1970's a Sierra RR employee was in the midst of making a deal to buy the 34, when Mr. Kepner came along and snatched the whole lot. I understand he had raised considerable cash when the deal fell apart. I was later told Mr. K never actually fully paid for #'s 34,36 & 100 as Mr. Hatch died before they were paid off.

Reed Hatch deserves an award for being a pioneer in our industry....

Anybody know what happened to all the WMSR's X-MKT heavyweight coaches?

Aiming high can sometimes bring results. The Western Railway has had the CRANDIC 111 for many years. It needed a new roof, headliner and seat repairs as well as paint throughout. It waited and waited and waited; the donor even said I hope I live long enough to see it restored. But its time did come and now the car shines inside and out! run like a top too. Sometimes good things come to those who can wait!

Ted Miles



ted_miles@nps.gov

Beautiful shot of No. 100 at the dam, Kelly. Must be 1976 because she still has White Mountain Scenic lettering. I'm currently working on a book about the Heber Creeper - please drop me a line!

Jeff Terry

jterry618@msn.com