The Latest From the Strasburg Rail Road Shops

rem1028 · **Joined:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 10:32 am **Posts:** 292

All the best for a healthy, happy retirement Kelly!

John Rembis

david griner · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:38 pm

Congratulations Kelly..............!!!

A full career, well done to the highest standards !!

wesp · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:58 pm

Quote:

Lots of driving wheel work in the shops this spring. These are the driving wheels for Valley RR #97. Now complete, they came in for new axles, crankpins, and tires.

...new axles, pins, and tires...What's left of the original fabric? (ducks for cover)

Wesley

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:13 pm

Wishing you many thanks and all the best wishes in your retirement. I've seen a few too many railroaders drop dead six months or so away from planned retirement--one with a well-planned wine collection he intended to imbibe regularly once he could tell Rule G to #@(& off...........

Here's also hoping your successor(s) also iontend an occasional "peek behind the curtain" for the rest of us.....

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:44 pm

Congrats on retirement Kelly.

Not only has your work over the years contributed to so many projects coming together, but those projects themselves have been responsible for the current generation of steam enthusiasts.

It may not be a steam locomotive, but every time someone looks at Conrail 8905 at the B&O museum, or the future Conrail museum, it'll be because there was at least one kid who was bitten by the railroad bug in Lampeter Township.

jrevans · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:58 pm

Thanks for the update Kelly. We all enjoy seeing what's being done at one of the finest steam shops in the world.

Quote:

In other news, after 43 years of earning my living as a steam engine mechanic, 39 of them at the Strasburg Rail Road, today is my last day as a working stiff, and my last post representing SRC. My position will be very ably taken over by Erich Armpriester, himself a 20-year veteran here at Strasburg. Erich will be assisted by Ted Wickert as liaisons to our customers. Anyone who needs any help from us, do not hesitate to contact Erich and Ted, they will take good care of you. Contact information for the Contract Department. Work in the shops is under the direction of our CMO Brendan Zeigler, a 19-year veteran at SRC, and the quickest study on new concepts and ideas that I know.

Wow! Enjoy your retirement. Erich and Ted have some big shoes to fill!

Hopefully, we'll still hear from you on here, as I know that I always appreciate your insight combined with your wit. (I especially appreciate the sarcastic remarks when I actually catch them!)

AndrewDean · **Joined:** Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:17 pm **Posts:** 15

Kelly,
Congratulations on your retirement. I am beyond grateful for your knowledge, patience, and willingness to work with us over the past ten years. You've more than done your time at the front end... now it is time to relax with a cold one in the parlor car and watch the scenery roll by.

All the best to you,

TrainDetainer · **Joined:** Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:05 pm **Posts:** 283

Congratulations Kelly, and thanks for doing so well for so long what really needed to be done for the industry. Enjoy whatever you have planned for a well earned retirement.

Zach Lybrand · **Joined:** Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:36 pm **Posts:** 120

Congrats on your successful career, and I wish you many happy years of retirement.

At one point, I was considering going to a machinist school just so I could get a chance to work for Strasburg. If my life has taken a few different turns, I would have. Your posts and the knowledge shared within always kinda made me wish I had, just so I could get the chance to work with you.

Ron Muldowney · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:43 pm

Kelly - good luck in your retirement. I have really enjoyed your posts over the years and I really enjoy the shop tours that I have taken at Strasburg over the years. I am sure you will find other things to fill your time. I have now been retired for almost two years and the days go by too quickly. I always have plenty to do!!

All the Best!

Ron

co614 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:08 pm

Thanks Kelly for all you've done to elevate our industry and for all you've done to make Strasburg the Gold Standard of tourist railroading.

You're much too young to just sit around and contemplate your navel.....so here's wishing you an active stimulating next chapter.

Stay well and stay in touch.

Ross Rowland

J.David · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:12 pm

Congratulations & good luck Kelly!
It has always been enjoyable working with you on various projects and I am continuously in awe at breadth and depth of your knowledge!
Be well & stay safe!
J.David

Randy Musselman · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:02 pm

Kelly,

Congratulations and best wishes to you!

And sincerest thanks to you for all for the shop reports, opinions and technical responses you provided in this forum for these years….a wealth of information alone for anyone who would search the RYPN archives.

In addition, thank you for the meticulous responses you gave all of us on specific questions we asked on the shop reports.

Take care!

Randy Musselman

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:39 pm

Strasburg has earned the high reputation for restoration excellence largely because of your oversight, Kelly. Have fun in retirement, do some traveling. Most of all, thank you for setting the bar of excellence in steam railroading. It's all been appreciated, believe me.

Thank you!