Sad News - Johnny Trains

I just received the following brief note from Eric, a close associate and friend of Johnny Trains. I believe this deserves a new thread.

I am very saddened to report that John Niegocki, noted railfan, member of the Cross Harbor RR Police Reserves, writer for Police Collectors News and employee of the NYC Office of the Comptroller, has passed away last night (Thursday) apparently due to complications from a medical procedure. I have no additional information at this time but will transmit more when I get additional word. He is survived by his wife and dtr.

To the above I add:
Janet and I are shocked and saddened by this news. In the short time I knew John, he had become a good friend and railfan companion. Our heart goes out to his family. For us, he lives on in the pleasant memories of our few meetings.

And this photo, taken when I first met JT, September 21, 2002, at the Danbury Railway Museum. He is sitting in the cab of the DRM's E-9.



[ 30. April 2004, 17:10: Message edited by: Peirce ]

 

I wish the Lord's comfort to the Family, also.

 

Johnny was only 46 years old. This is indeed very sad. Our condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
His signature line will remain with us as a reminder of his love of railroading.....

"The Silver Rails are a demanding Mistress"

Thank you Johnny for sharing that love, and your knowledge, with us in over 2000 posts here at TrainBoard.

 

---I have long been more of an observer than a participant here---The wealth of information held here is enormous and Johnny was an incredible contributor. His vivid accounts of New York City and especially the incredible thread about the events of September 2001... He gave me a greater appreciation for a city I have always longed to visit...

---It cannot be expressed how he will be missed by the Trainboard community---

My condolences to his family and friends

 

I am truly, truly sorry to hear of Johnny's passing. I wish the best for his family, and all those who knew him.

Pat

 

I'm shocked and saddened to hear of JT's passing. He will be missed here on TrainBoard and many other places.

Nikk's and my condolences to Johnny's family and friends.

 

I to am very sorry to hear this news as well. Johnny "Trains" Niegocki was a contributor to the DHVM and someone I called my friend. Below are some of those photographs he contributed and will be remembered for.


Photo By Johnny Niegocki; Albany, NY


Photo By Johnny Niegocki; Binghamton, NY


Photo By Johnny Niegocki; October 1986; Binghamton, NY

 

In addition, JT was also a contributor to Model Railroad Transportation Safety Board and there is photo of JT that is part of that collection as well.

 

Although Johnny and I never met, I thought of him as a friend. He snail-mailed me all kinds of info on the NY subway system after I asked him how I once got from Ebbetts Field to the Polo Grounds. I have a copy of one of his railfan tapes, and photos of his "layout" at home. Several of his historic B&A photos are in my Railimages album. He was much too young to have left us. My heart goes out to Mary Kay and their daughter. The survivors always have a tough time of it.

 

Very sorry to hear about JT.

Condolences to JT's family.

 

Well, I finally wiped the tears away long enough to comment on this great loss. I really do not know what to say. Johnny and I shared many adventures together and had grown close as friends. He was more than a friend, he was my brother. He was the kindest, most giving person that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and though I am hurt that we had much more to learn and share with each other, I am truly happy that I got to know and share and learn from him at all. My condolences towards his family , although soothing to them, can do nothing to fill this incredible void that we all now must bear.



Russ

 

It is very hard to realize Johnny is gone. I am happy I was able to post some of his photos for him and wish I could have done more.

Condolences to his family.

Gil

 

My Wife and I send our condolences. I only knew him here on TB but like it was said, his wealth of information and his thread on 9/11/01 was an eye opener... to me and he will sorely be missed. Is there and way we can immortalize the "JonnyTrains" handle? He was a great railfan and a great man. God Bless

 

im very saddedned to hear this news
johnny was a great guy and will be missed very much, i enjoyed the photos he sent me of various things around new york,
my condolences to johnny's family.

 

Somewhere, there is a monument, erected to a great man by the name of Samuel Clements. He too, we knew more affectionately by his nickname.

On the monument, are the following words:

"Death is the starlit strip between the companionship of yesterday and the reunion of tomorrow."

I can only hope they're right. I've only meet Johnny in person twice - it should have been four times. One time, I was in a pretty bad auto accident. The fourth time I was to see him would have been next weekend, the eighth.

Though we only met a few times, we talked online often - he shared stories about his travels and experiences, and I about mine. It seems a sick joke that such a good man was taken so early.

I wish him good luck, on his new journey, and God speed.

And because I believe, that a person's photographs give us a window into that person's soul - I've set up a gallery, over at Photo-Addicts, for anyone to submit any photographs they'd like to share.

http://www.photo-addicts.com/community/index.php?board=46;action=display;threadid=1558&start=0

My condolences to his friends and family. I will remember him always.

-Gordon

 

You will be missed Johnny.

I dedicate this picture to you:

http://dti407.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=23965