I had asked another friend to compose a paean to the late Jack Showalter, but Jim Wrinn has beaten him to the punch at Trains Magazine's website:

http://cs.trains.com/trn/b/staff/archiv ... -many.aspx

If we're lucky, you don't have to be a subscriber to read this.

Maybe the best part of the tribute was noting that Mr. Showalter has ignited interest among so many who'll keep the fires burning, now that he has passed on.

I'm not a TRAINS subscriber, so I can't post in the comments of the article, so I will post here instead.

It's interesting how things come full circle. I rode the Allegheny Central twice as a youngster, much too young to remember anyone that I met distinctively. However, now I work for Sam Lanter who was involved in that operation back then.

Eric

Deleted

What happened to the 15? mile line in Virginia where the Allegany Central used to run? Is it abandoned? Gone? It was an ex-C&O branch from Covington (Intervale) to Hot Springs. I have an old brochure somewhere. Where are the trains now? Still in storage in Virginia? Hope they find a good home. Shame to see any tourist steam operation go belly up but his operation is why the WMSR is there in Cumberland, MD. Why did his equipment leave WMSR and go back to Virginia anyway? That would be a fun route to model in Trainz if I can get more info on it. The original line in VA.

Time to spike the switch, or restrict some posters to the 'Railfanning" section...

For the first time I have used the "foe" option to screen a poster.

Wesley

Has anyone ever written a bigraphy on Jack and his railroad? I would think that would be a great read if one exists, and certainly a good idea if one hasn't been written yet.

I loved Jim's tribute to Jack. Read it via FB earlier this evening. What a guy. I'm sure I would have loved working for him if I had the chance. I got the chance to meet Bill Bursey, a friend and onetime co-worker of Jack's on the C&O/Chessie in Clifton Forge. Bill told me a few stories of running for and with Jack when they double headed the G5's in VA on CSXT.

Robert K, others may have more detailed information, but the Covington branch they originally operated on was abandoned in the mid 80's, hence the move to Cumberland. I don't believe Jack ever owned the line itself. Lastly, I believe all of the equipment remains in Verona, VA in storage and currently for sale through his daughter, Sally. It would be nice if perhaps the D&GV folks and John Smith could develop a market for that equipment to run on. But I'm guessing they have their hands full what with their taking on the operations of Cass right now.

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner

Wow, so the original line no longer exists? I always hate when that happens. The tourist train is not successful so it closes and the rails are pulled. At least in PA we still have operating steam. Was Cumberland supposed to be a better location? How was the WMSR formed then? Were they two different ownerships?

Jack did own the part of the Hot Springs Branch he operated on out of Intervale (just north of Covington) A large part of the line was destroyed by flooding in 1985. The same storms also wiped out VMT's original location in south Roanoke and resulted in it's move to downtown Roanoke.

Gary, thanks for that bit of information. I was unaware that the line orignially was flooded which lead to its abandonment.

Rob Gardner

Other than the two Pacifics, how much other equipment did Mr. Showalter own?

The twin CPR 1200's are a wonderful, modern, steam design. Any word on their disposition? Not a criticism, but they've been static too long.

Last I heard, still for sale. The problem, as told to me by others closer to the situation, is that they have for years been adamant about offering/selling the train as a complete set, not letting buyers "cherry-pick" locos and coaches. And supposedly there's been little or no flexing on the price. Whether Jack's passing changes things in that regard, we shall have to wait and see.