For those of you who knew him, were taught to fire or run a steam locomotive by him, or just enjoyed being around him, it is with great sadness that I must share that A. Paul Brock passed away last night. He was a like second father to a great number of us at TVRM and we all have heavy hearts today. Arrangments for Paul are as follows:

Visitation will be Friday evening 5-8 pm and one hour before the funeral at Grissom Funeral Home, 3010 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Funeral will be Saturday at 11 am at the funeral home chapel.

Burial will be Monday 10:30 am at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Holtzclaw Ave.

Rest In Peace Pappy

Sad to hear that. I had the privilege to talk with him a few times the last couple years.

35+/- years ago I was one of the "younger generation" that is talked about in many threads here now. I was priveledged to be one of Paul's students on steam locomotives(mostly 4501, 630, & 722), he taught me much of what little I know about the operation, firing, & maintenance of steam. He was a fantastic mentor to younger generations over the years, and one of the nicest and funniest people I have ever known (for those of you "in the know" I was a witness & participant in the Paul Brock/Saul Brock/Superheater "legend") I'll miss you Pappy, you are one of my personal heros.

Someone who will be missed by all. Truly one of TVRM's finest !!!

I was a student fireman for Mr. Brock on a few trips at TVRM, and when he'd see that I was having a little trouble with a fire, he'd ease up on the throttle or the cut-off until I could catch up. That about says it all.

Note the name honored on 630's cab yesterday during trips out of Spencer. That's David Pugh at the throttle. David, Shane Meador, and Ryan Miller were in the cab of 630 yesterday and all three of these guys were qualified on steam in their early days by Paul Brock. I know he had a profound impact on each of their lives.

When I was an early teenager, I always wanted to grow up with the skills and personality of "Mr. Brock." I will miss him as will many others. He leaves a strong legacy.

Mark, you gave away one of the all-time mysteries so few knew the answer to: what the 'A' in A. Paul Brock stood for.

RIP and Semper Fi

Wow Adam, where did you dig up that picture from? I recognize the sweatshirt that I have on so it has to be sometime in the late 1980's. I wish I was still that thin!

We had a special moment after Paul's service yesterday. Many of us went to the Cracker Barrel in Cleveland where many of us have had dinner with Paul. We were given the same table so we left an empty chair in Paul's memory.