Catching up with Flimsies, I just saw to my dismay that James Gallagher had died.

As the obituary linked to in Flimsies notes, Mr. Gallagher was the preeminent photographer of the railroad scene in and around Maryland in the steam to diesel transition era. An artist more than a railfan, he created a body of work which, in my opinion, was every bit the equal of Link, Steinheimer, or Don Ball. His silouette image of a Ma and Pa local on Gross Trestle is one of the iconic images of American branchline railroading.

I never met Mr. Gallagher personally, but I still feel a real sense of loss at his passing, and honor his memory for his art and his service to our country both.

eledbetter@rypn.org