I'm actually a few years older than John, but I can attest that on a couple of occasions that I encountered him at Heber Valley RR, he treated me just as he's described below, age notwithstanding. Thanks, John, and good luck in Ohio!

> Last year I attended a meeting of the
> Engineering Standards Committee. This is the
> group responsible for writing and placing
> into effect the new steam rules (49CFR Part
> 230) as well as a number of other projects
> related to steam.

> During the meeting, the general attendees at
> the meeting (the meetings are public
> meetings) were asked by the panel members
> what it will take to get the youth involved
> in steam. My reply was something as follows;

> I grew up under the shadow of the all mighty
> Steve Lee. Steve, in my book was, and to a
> great extent still is my ultimate steam
> hero. As a young 16 year old, I worked as a
> steam engineer for a large amusement park in
> Utah. As engineer, I would dress in a black
> t-shirt as Steve and his crew often did. I
> would suck on sticks of beef jerky as if
> smoking a big Steve Lee cigar and I tried to
> be ruff and gruff as I thought Steve always
> was. I even had a name badge on my hat that
> said “I wish I were Steve Lee” (I still have
> the badge).

> After serving a mission for my church in
> 1993-1995, I returned home with a new vision
> of myself and what I could become. I
> realized that I will never be Steve Lee. I
> will however, be John Rimmasch. I will be
> John for the rest of my life. I had a
> decision to make. Live in the shadow of my
> hero, or become what I am today.

> Having read the postings on what it will
> take to include the youth, I offer the
> following questions and ask with all of my
> heart, that the next time you see a young
> man looking at you as if you were a hero,
> that you would apply these simple questions
> to the way you act. I was impressionable, so
> are the youth to follow me.

> READ THIS IF NOTHING ELSE:

> When you see a young person, do you go out
> of your way to say nothing more than Hello?
> If notÂ…. Why not?

> When a young person asks you a question, do
> you answer the question as if it were the
> most important question you had ever been
> asked? If not, why not?

> Do you conduct yourself in a manner that
> invites a young person to be around you? If
> notÂ….are you part of the good olÂ’ boys
> clubÂ…..if so, why?

> Do you treat others the way you want to be
> treated? If not, why not?

> If you had a chance to ask Steve Lee any
> question in the world, how would you like
> Steve to treat youÂ…Â….remember that feeling
> when you growl at a young person.

> The youth of the world view you as the Steve
> Lee in their life. You make the impression
> not by a program you run, or the size of
> engine you operate or the number of
> passengers you haul. You make the impression
> by being youÂ…Â…Â…An older person that a
> younger person wants to become. Be a good
> example and treat others with respect.

> In closing, Thank you Steve Lee, Doyle M,
> Lyn and all the rest for being my hero. I
> still look up to you and always willÂ…Â…..

> In twenty years from now, will some young
> eight year old say the same of me and you? I
> sure hope he will.

> John E. Rimmasch
> CMO
> Ohio Central Steam


davew833@yahoo.com

> The dealer is asking $18,000 each for the
> engines.

I'm sorry, but there is no way that those locomotives that kind of money. Scrap is only bringing a penny or two a pound. The big question is has the asbestos been removed from them? There is a significant cost to properly remove it. Add in the cost of cutting them up and there is very little profit, if any. Lets see, 60,000 lbs. times $.01 = $600 Even at 2 cents a pound its only $1200. Sell them for 15 times the value - He'd jump at the chance.

Martyhuck@aol.com

Check out the link below. There is a section that details Mr. Earl's relationship with EMD.

> The Feb. issue of "Special Interest
> Autos" contains an article about GM
> auto stylist Harley Earl (whose ghost is
> featured in some current Buick ads), which
> states that Mr. Earl "supervised the
> streamlining of the E- and F-series diesel
> locomotives..." I have read a lot over
> the years about these locos and about
> "Mistearl", but don't ever recall
> their paths crossing. Is my memory failing?
> Anyone know if Mr. E. really was so
> involved? (BTW, in the 1950's, another GM
> auto guy, Chuck Jordan, did style the
> Aerotrain, which is why the loco looks a lot
> like a late '50's Cadillac.) Thanks for any
> info.


http://carofthecentury.com/educational_awareness.htm
newhaven0401-NOSPAM-@verizon.net

Hey John;

Well, as it takes roughly 100 0-4-0T's to equal the appeal of a modest ex. CNR 2-6-0, the numbers don't appear to be that badly off. ;-)

But, saying that, I know of a group fairly close in proximity to me that has chosen a small 0-4-0T as a "starter" restoration.

One can always agree or disagree, but the thought is that it is small, cheap, and good to make learn from does have merit. It can run just about anywhere; something that can't be said for larger locomotives.

I just hope they get around to something with more steam appeal before I die of old age! :-)

John Stewart
Ottawa, Canada.

> Of the roughly 1,700 steam locos left in the
> USA, over 560 are 0-4-0 or 0-4-0t. One out
> of three, roughly. Wes Barris shows 75 (!)
> operational.

See lead photo on Altamont Press link below. Says to end operations in May. Old Northern California shortline. Quincy 2-6-2 #2 is operable at Niles Canyon Ry., Quinch engine facilities were subject of wooden model kits offered by Campbell Scale Models.


http://railroadnews.net/news/3-22.html
ryarger@rypn.org