titled handbook for bird watchers. In his in- troduction, he explains his lament for the fading of The Official Guide and the demise of the local train station for getting informa- tion about the railroads. “The depot has been torn down, the agent works out of a van, and kids hang around shopping malls.” That copy of The Train-Watcher’s Guide lived in my school backpack for weeks. I studied every entry, which was written in an easy voice and stuck with me much better than my stuffy text books. My aunt gave me my very own copy (!) when I was 13, which was quickly followed by a gift of the compan- ion volume, The Historical Guide to North American Railroads. I must have memo- rized every entry at one time or another, helping to build up a good vernacular back- ground on where the railroad industry came from and where it was headed. Looking back almost 25 years, it’s interesting to note how many of the roads listed in the Train-Watch- er’s Guide would now be listed in The Histor- ical Guide. Even so, rarely a day goes by when I don’t refer to one of these books in my own writing and research. I’d always be on the look out for George


Drury’s articles and travelogues. His charm- ing wit brought those experiences to life, and always made for a enjoyable read. Years lat- er, I felt fortunate for having met George in person at a CRPA conference. He was quite amused that I had inquired about the old Westminster Railroad, his model railroad that made occasional appearances in the pages of Model Railroader in the 1970s. While we are sad to lose a friend, we can take joy in the great body of work George Drury has left behind. Perhaps a new gener-


ation of railfans will be inspired and enter- tained by his writing. Who knows, maybe they’ll stop hanging out at the shopping malls and seek out that old train station in- stead. —O.M.V.


Go Hawaiian at Summerail!


It is a tradition as old as the hills surround- ing Cincinnati... At least it seems that way. Yes, it’s that time of year again, when we congregate in “tropical” southern Ohio for the annual Summerail railroad photogra- phy exposition presented by the Cincinnati Railroad Club and the Miami Valley Rail- fans on Saturday, August 10. Join us as we enjoy a great weekend of multimedia slide shows, railroadiana sales, and catching up with old friends (and making new ones), all within the confines of the beautifully re- stored art deco Cincinnati Union Terminal (now known as the Cincinnati Museum Cen- ter). This year’s line-up of presenters in- cludes John Dziobko, Tom Gildersleeve, Scott Lothes, Jeff Mast, Steve Patterson, Fr. Dale Peterka, Eric Powell, Dale Sanders, Tom Sink, and Steve Smedley. Now here’s the important part... You have to wear your best (or worst?) Hawaiian shirt to the show. Present yourself to Steve Barry and upon judgement that your shirt is truly in the spirit of all things tropical, you will be pre- sented with a discount coupon that you can use when ordering from the Carstens Book Store at www.carstensbookstore.com. What could be better than that? So come down to the Queen City, and join us for Summerail! Tickets are $20.00 each,


please visit


www.cincinnatirrclub.org for details. Aloha! —O.M.V.


Start


training here.


Go to www.greatesthobby.com and get links to hobby resources and reference materials, lists of train shows and events, and information about planning and building your first model railroad layout. We’ll even help you find a shop or club in your area willing to coach you one-on-one. It’s everything you need to know to start enjoying your new hobby. Getting started in the World’s Greatest Hobby has never been easier!


www.greatesthobby.com 877-426-5082


Railfan & Railroad Advertising Index for July 2013 I


A


A&R Productions .....................................................7 Adirondak Scenic Railroad ....................................11


B


Bella Terra Publishing LLC....................................16 C


Carstens Book Store..............................................19 Carstens Publications...............................6,18,48,51 Chama Steam Train.................................................9 Chicago & North Western Historical Society .........16 Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum .................21 Conway Scenic Railroad........................................20


D


Daylight Prints........................................................54 Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad .....................20


E


Elkhorn Inn.............................................................20 Erie Lackawanna Historical Society.............17,50,55


F


Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.21 Friends of the Tehachapi Depot ............................21


G


Golden Spike Enterprises......................................17 H


Heimburger House Publishing.................................7 Herron Rail Services..............................................15


Illinois Railway Museum ........................................20 Izaak Walton Inn....................................................16


J


Christopher Jenkins...............................................17 K


Kentucky Railway Museum....................................21 Kingsley Inn ...........................................................20


L


Leadville Railroad ..................................................21 Lumberjack Steam Train........................................20


M


Medina Railroad Museum......................................21 Melvin Photos ..........................................................6 Merrill Publishing Associates.................................17 Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad...................21 Monticello Railway Museum ..................................21 Morning Sun Books ...............................................14 Museum, Tourist Line and Dinner Trai Directory........................................................20,21


N


Napa Valley Wine Train.........................................20 National Narrow Gauge Convention 2013.............10 National Railway Historical Society .........................8 Nevada Northern Railroad & Museum........,Cover IV


P


Plets Express.........................................................12 R


Railcom....................................................................6


Railroad Avenue Enterprises.................................10 Railroad Explorer.....................................................5 Railroadbooks.biz ..................................................14 Revelation Video....................................................13 Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum ...20 Rocky Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast..............................20 Ron’s Books.................................................Cover III RonRail Pictures....................................................11


S


Greg Scholl Video Productions................................9 Seashore Trolley Museum.....................................49 Signature Press .......................................................5 Sunrisa Publications ................................................8 Southern Pacific Historical Society..........................7 Sunshine Networks................................................56


T


TRP...............................................................Cover II TTX Company........................................................17 Tell-Tale Productions...............................................6 Three Rivers Rambler............................................21 Trackside Prints.......................................................6 Trainorders.com.....................................................54 Trains & Travel ........................................................8 TrainsShipsPlanes.................................................17 TrainWeb ...............................................................52 Transit Gloria Mundi ..............................................49


W


Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway...............................14 Whitewater Valley Railroad....................................20 World’s Greatest Hobby.........................................57


Y Yard Goat Images..................................................12 57


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