Robert A. "Bob" Barbera, executive director of Steamtown Foundation at Bellows Falls, Vermont during the mid and late-1970's. is terminally ill with cancer. He is being cared for by his wife Judy at their home in Springfield. VT.

During Bob's tenure at Steamtown, CPR G-5(d) 4-6-2 #1293 and CPR G-3(c) 4-6-2 #2317 were returned to service at Steamtown and work started on CN 4-6-0 #1551. He was also instrumental in leasing Southern Railway (Great Britian) 4-4-0 #926 "REPTON" to the Cape Breton Development Corp. which led to the initial tourist-era steaming of that locomotive. He was the first executive director to allow Steamtown Foundation's multi-locomotive steam-ups for popular Railfans Weekend
events to occur.

I remember Bob Barbera well,,many times when I got too ride in the cab with his farther,,,Andy,,,
Andy would say,,hide on the fireman's side of the cab and don't let Bob see you....
But bob did a lot for the old Steamtown,,,there was alway's the winter trips too Rutland,Vt,,,,and he did try too keep Steamtown up and running during his time...
It's sad too hear that he is very sick,,,, Pat

Anyone who visited Steamtown during those years and witnessed some of the events during Mr. Barbera's era at Bellows Falls....such as the Railfan Weekends with 6 locomotives under steam, doubleheaded G-5's etc. has to look back and say "Thanks, Bob". Visits to Bellows Falls left a lasting impression on alot of us who were only kids at the time, and gave those who missed out on the steam era a chance to see what the good old days were all about!