It is with great sadness that I post the news that Greg Dodd has passed away today at his home in western North Carolina. I heard the news from Will Sadler, former NS Steam employee and friend. With permission, I have posted Will's words below.
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It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that Greg Dodd, former NS Steam Program employee, passed away earlier today at his home in North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and two daughters. He was 49 years old.
Many of you may not know his name, but you know his work. He began with the steam program in the late 70's and played a key role in the restoration and upkeep of many of the engines used on the program, including the 611 and 1218. His specialty was boiler work, but he was what I consider to be an expert when it came to a steam locomotive. After leaving the NS program, he went to the Great Smoky Mountain Railway in North Carolina for a number of years, where his upgrades greatly improved the performance and reliability of their 2-8-0, #1702. Most recently, he ran a machine shop business in Dillsboro, NC, with Steve Webb, another veteren of the NS program. When you step back and look at the engines he had a role in restoring, what he did is even more impressive.
I was lucky enough to know Greg personally and I credit him with teaching me many of the things that I know about steam locomotives. I will remember Greg as a guy that enjoyed picking with or on you, requiring you to have a thick skin to hang out with him, but mostly as a person that I knew I could always ask a question to and get a straight forward, honest answer. I am grateful I had a chance to meet him and call him a friend.
Will Sadler
Greg gave me my start with steam locomotives over 12 years ago at the Great Smoky Mountains Railway. During my time there, I became aware that Greg was one of the quiet greats in the steam locomotive world. Always patient, always listening, Greg had a gift with machines surpassed by few in the industry. With his passing, the world loses a wealth of steam knowledge and experience.
One of my memories from working with Greg was when he had thermic syphons installed in the 1702. He took the time to explain their principle and installation methods to me, and explain how they are used to increase the efficiency and safety of the boiler. While night watching the engine, I managed to take a picture that captured the thermic syphons perfectly. To me, this picture illustrates the art of Greg's work. I had the picture enlarged and framed and hung on my wall. Even today, his work inspires me.
Thank you Greg, for giving each of us the joy of steam railroading.
Mike MacLean
Manager, Steam Operations
New Hope Valley Railway
