Obit: Richard E. Thompson, Ironhorse Central Founder

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:55 pm

Cribbed from Steve Glischinski's write-up at Trains.com's Newswire:

Quote:

CHISAGO CITY, Minn. – Railroad preservationist and author Richard E. Thompson, 72, died Feb. 4, 2014. Born on July 8, 1941, Thompson and his twin brother Robert (who passed away in 2001) were lifelong fans of steam railroads, particularly the Northern Pacific, St. Paul & Duluth, and the Colorado narrow gauge.

Thompson was a railroader for more than 40 years, hiring out as a fireman on the Milwaukee Road in 1961. After a tour of duty in Vietnam he was promoted to engineer, and worked for both Soo Line and Canadian Pacific before retiring in 2002.

In 1965 Richard and Robert, along with their friend Doug Alexander, founded the private Ironhorse Central Railroad Museum at Richard’s Ironhorse Farm near Lindstrom. They went on to acquire and restore, with help from friends and family, several wooden passenger and freight cars and the 1895 NP depot from Groningen. The centerpiece of the collection, former Dresser Trap Rock 0-4-0 No. 4, was restored to operating condition for trips over the Ironhorse Central’s three-quarter mile loop, which was completed in 1984. Over the years the museum has grown to include more than 20 pieces of equipment, including Northern Pacific 0-6-0 No. 927, Soo Line 2-8-0 No. 2425, and Baldwin S-4300 diesel No. 2, the final locomotive manufactured by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in 1956.

Thompson is survived by his wife, Caroline; daughter Melissa, and son, Erik. Erik owns some equipment at the museum, has managed the tourist train operation since the museum first opened to the public in 2005.

Jeff Terry · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:18 am **Posts:** 281

Thanks for posting this, Sandy. Richard was a good friend and I spent many days up at the farm since moving to Minnesota in 1998. He always treated me like I was part of the family. Last summer we had a little photo shoot out on the line prior to the "Hobo Days" event in order to get a photo for the poster. Here's one of my favorites. (Richard is holding a rather perturbed turkey.)

His son Erik plans to open the railroad for train rides this summer, just as planned. Richard would have wanted it that way.

Jeff Terry

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Jeff -

Sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Thompson. The Thompson's did a real nice job of rail preservation and steam restoration, in a very private effort. A tip of my hat to both of them. I've got to get up to the Ironhorse Central one of these days.

Thanks for the very interesting photo. BTW, who is the gentleman holding that "vicious" Yellow Lab while hiding behind that giant tree?

Les

Jeff Terry · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:18 am **Posts:** 281

BTW, who is the gentleman holding that "vicious" Yellow Lab while hiding behind that giant tree?

That would be Richard's son Erik.