News Letter Index

Jim Strain, club president, gives a weekly report of happenings at the railroad.

Unfortunately I have very sad news to report. Fred Kiesel passed away yesterday (Sunday). According to the article today in the Post he was crossing Watson Rd. about 5:30 pm and was struck by a hit and run driver. Fred was taken to a hospital where he died. As far as I know the driver has not been found. As I hear more I will pass the information on to everyone. Our condolensces to Fred's family. As a founding member of the WF&P he was very well known and respected. We will certainly miss him.

Fred liked to live his life quietly. Well his passing was anything but, all 3 major local TV channels carried a short story on the tragedy of his death and the interests of his life. Channel 2 even sent a reporter to the WF&P Board meeting Monday evening to interview Neubie. The Post printed a very nice article on Tuesday in the Metro section followed by his obituary today.

We will all miss Fred but certainly have found memories of him. The WF&P exists in great part due to his dedication to the organization. There will not be a wake or funeral for Fred per his request. He will be cremated and his niece will arrange to bring his remains to Glencoe later this year when we will fullfill his wish to have his ashes spread on the railroad he so cared about.

Saturday's crew consisted of Foster, Eckrich, Percival, Haack & Tabernacki in the roundhouse. 928's slide valves were removed for re-work, running gear was disassembled on 401 and 534 had a dry run at fitting the new boiler. Hunter & Elliott were also there helping with clean up while J & J Scott, Mohen, Elms & Dennis Smith were busy inspecting gondolas. Lorance & Welch were out on the line doing tie removal. Photos attached are from Eckrich taken on Saturday.

Sunday's rain let up enough to allow the crew of Welch, Marx, Mosbacher, Dale, Ron & Sam Spicer & Mike VanVoren to finish the last of the tie removal and today was equally active with Welch & P. Smith working on the carbarn while Percival & Fritschle continued work on 401. Of course the elder Scott was back to work on the rolling stock.

Get well soon to Jim Keeton who was in the hospital with kidney problems due to diabities.

Jim

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