Marty,

I can't believe you are going to take that from such a young punk like Zahrt..... I would have at least suggested tomahawk or flintlock.

Greg

So I take it you're not looking for a pair of plastic pants anymore?

good to hear from ya,

Rudd

....and that, in a nutshell is what its all about. Not only giving our kids the same opportunities we had, but hopefully BETTER ones that we could have ever hoped for.

TJG

May still need those for a Karaoke night!

I was wondering if you could answer a question for me? Just, WHO IS this Kelly Lynch? . The reason I ask is that I have donated to the FWRHS for the rebuild and been out to the shop many times in the last four + years to see the progression of it and have never seen you there once. Glen and Steve have been there forever as well as Jerry from the old days, Mark, Bob and Zach mentioned as now being at GCRR. Also over the years I had the pleasure of meeting many, many, many of the numerous volunteers that make that project possible but never Kelly.

I was just curious, as I have never seen you out there except at the open house taking pictures. What are your areas of talent? Are you a machinist, a boiler or running gear guy or have you worked with other groups on their locomotives, do you specialize on certain appliances? Tell us what you have accomplished and about yourself and areas of expertise? In the article I see more than a few people I have come across in this industry and a couple I have not and the same from the list in the lead post. And, while in the article it lists a fairly good resume of the people highlighted and their accomplishments, except for Kelly Lynch which is featured on the cover spread as being a "Rising Star" yet, and no offense here, nothing else other than a paragraph about idolizing Rich Melvin. Mean while Rimmasch's and Manwiller's accomplishments speak for themselves, as well as the guy from Minnesota now at Huckleberry (sorry I forgot your name I met him up at Butler's Shop) and some of the others I have met and quite a few I haven't but, it still says what they have done to be considered on the list. So tell us about your rising star now that you’re a cover boy let's hear something about you.


S.A.

Well, alot of the "young guns" that you see in the cab running or firing are the same "young guns" that to alot of the restoration/maintenance of the locomotives. Granted, many people only see them "showcased" on operating days. These are the same guys that you'll see crawling under the engine in the rain to adjust the wedges or caulking up staybolts at 2:30am to make the next days trip.....it's just that most people don't show up early enough or stay late enough to see this part of the job.

I don't believe this is the place to hoot-n-holler about personal exploits and experiences and say "hey, I drove this rivet" or "this paint job is mine" but I've had some wonderful experiences on the Ohio Central and with the 765.

EDITS: If you'd like some background and experience, please email me. The jobs and types of work I've taken on are no more special than that of other fellow young guns here, and I would fear pretentiousness if asked to talk about mine in a public forum such as this.

I may not be a boiler man or a machinst, but I'm learning from the best.

It's a shame we have not met. Perhaps we will soon!

EDITS: silly typos

Very sincerely,
Kelly Lynch

Come on - those of us who know better know there was NO relationship as all of the waitresses at the zone were convinced you were Andy's gay lover!

;-)

yer other pal from Ohio!

WOW, not a reference I would place on MY resume' - 'gentleman" is a stretch and amazing in certain ways could be accurate.

Unfortunatly as you're in the process of learning Kelly, being sniped at by jealous wanna-be's is part of our industry. As has been previously discussed on this forum at length,do yourself a big favor and learn to ignore them, particularly those who hide behind phony labels.
You know the truth of what you've been able to contribute,and I'm encouraged that we have you and so many other dedicated "young guns" around to carry the torch to the next generation.
Don't waste time on the jerks,time better spent on things positive!
Ross Rowland....no s please........

Folks,

Its discouraging to see an otherwise great thread spiralling downhill. This discussion (which I'm honored to have my name mentioned, however undeserving I might be) is something positive for the industry, and here we are bickering among each other again. This is exactly the of attitude problem that's holding us back.

Let's cut the cheap shots and low blows and focus some energy on something positive.

Mods, any chance we can remove the last few posts here...?

EDIT: Any comments / personality shots are welcome at my email. Thanks!

Probably soon to be wishing he didn't even get involved,

Tim Botti

I have not seen the article yet; however, I am compelled to comment on SA Worthington's post.

The ability to write a coherent, compelling press release, the ability to speak intelligently with a local (or national) media person, the ability to schmooze a local or state politico, or business CEO, the ability to put together an attractive website, a well-crafted grant proposal....these are all every bit as important as knowing how to set the governor on a Pyle-National K-240 dynamo, how to feed the flue roller into the tube, how to repack the driving box cellars. In fact, without the world knowing about the results (the live engine), and the interesting stories about how this 220-ton hunk 'o iron came back to life, what use are the "metal-banging" skills? It is ALL important. Trust me, I know.

From what I've seen so far, Kelly has been doing a good job getting the word out and communicating the 765 message. I also sent dollars to help (in a small way) bring 765 back to life, and I am thrilled to see in the photos of the 765 crew and workers that there is NOT a vast majority of gray heads!!!!

One simple thought:

We ALL need MORE young 'uns. Don't "run 'em off", give them opportunity and guidance and let them show you what they can do.

Howard P.
who once was a "young gun" (or at least a young pain-in-the-butt; remember, Ross??) and now is almost an "old fart"......

Amen.

I was a young gun once upon a time. And I had minimal mechanical skills. But the late Bob Flack saw I had a gift for gab and writing and showed me the ropes of how he ran the PR machine at National Capital Trolley Museum. And so it goes 30 years later that I still use the "tools" he gave me. Later I spent time in the car shop and have had my share of grease under the nails, etc. But I soon returned to the keyboard to do what I do best to support the Museum.

A tip of the hat and two rings on the gong to you, Kelly. Nice work.

Wesley

I deleted one post that was more flame than substance. This is a good thread. Let's keep it that way.