Jim, Absolutely use the pic. It is a great tribute. The cards above is a great illustration of how JT's creative mind worked. As you read in a prior post, he and 2 of his friends formed a Railroad society, the Central NorthEastern RR Society (CNERR) . Mostly it was fictitios but he did use it as a way to get together with his friends and railfan. When I first met him, he related this story to me and I thought that it was a great way to get railfans together to railfan, realworld and on the net. JT said: " You think so?" I said:" Yes, even if it is only a few friends it will add a little bit of a fun twist to things." Right away, his creative process started and he asked me to do a drawing of what CNERR equipment would look like. I drew him a dishevled looking old caboose that I framed for him to hang up. He liked it and decided to come up with a roster of some more CNERR equipment. One of them was the I love NY locomotive shown above. I drew what he dictated to me and that is the result. He printed them up on cards. I also painstakingly handpainted the logo on an N-scale locomotive that I presented to him. This is how he was. We shared our ideas and enhanced our railroading. We also swapped personal stories and would call each other to vent over our daily frustrations. Sometimes he would call me to tell me something funny that he had seen on his lunchbreak. One time though, I called him with some exciting news. Lifelike came out with some limited edition "redbird" subway cars. We both agreed that we had to have a set and whomever would get to them first would purchase them for the other of us. Well, they were only being sold at a few hobby shops so one day he gave up his lunch and took the subway into Brooklyn to get the redbirds. He called me up like a kid at christmas: "I got them, I got them! Russ, you have to see them! When are we getting together?!!" These are just a few examples of many. In the few years that I personally knew him, I could fill a book with stories. He just truly was amazing. Russ
I am truly shocked by this news. I have been gone on vacation for a week and have just found out about Johnny. I'm not much for emotional musings. But I will say that I believe there are only a select few people we meet as we go through our lives whom we truly never forget as long as we live. For me and I suspect many of us, Johnny Trains will definately be unforgettable. I believe as I trod through the rest of my days, the times when I fondly think of Johnny will always bring a smile to my face. That's how I will get through this... If anyone knows when Johnny's wife is coming to Deshler to sprinkle his ashes, I would consider it an honor and a privilage to be there to witness it. Deshler will never be the same without Johnny Trains. My sincere condolences to his family. Warren Lindner
Dear Warren, Thank you for your wonderful words. Rest assured that when Mary Kay comes to Deshler, I'll let you and all the others know. All will be invited. We shall celebrate a live well-lived and full of love for his fellow Man and his trains, fire engines, his badges, his scale models and him many other passions. His spirit lives on in the hearts and souls of the many people he touched in his too-short life. Take care, Ed
Hi Russ, I think each of us could write volumes about our experiences with Johnny. He has left a legacy that few of us can hope to have. We can learn a lot from him about reaching out, about caring and most of all about unselfish generosity. I'm flagging this message with a smiling face. Not because I'm "over" him. BUT because I remember Johnny with great, wonderful, happy memories. I don't think there was ever a time that we met that Johnny didn't have a gift of some kind for me. A sweat shirt, a cap... you name it. But it wasn't the gift that mattered nearly as much as the thought and effort he invested. I know he did this with many others, too. He wasn't trying to impress anyone as much as it was his desire to make each person feel special. He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Truly a remarkable man. Getting there, Ed
I still am coming to terms with this and it will not be for quite some time that I accept it. I really need to find some kind of closure to all this. I think that it is more difficult for me because another close friend of my own passed last month so I am going through all the "what-ifs" in my head and trying to answer some of those philosophical life questions. I know that it is all in God's plan but I haven't figured out why yet. Yesterday, here in the city, I watched live on TV, one of our news choppers crash a violent crash and all 3 on board walked away with minor injuries. Why did God choose to aid them and not my friend? Well, I have answers to some of my questions but not all of them. It is only with the aid of my faith and the support of family that remain strong in times like this. Russ
Russ, it is not for us to understand, yet. Have faith. I just noticed that you have incorporated Johnny's "Silver rails" quote in your signature--classy.
Dear Friends, I did not know Johnny Trains. But as my Grandfather taught me to pray for those who have passed, weather we know them or not.. He once told me that it is the greats thing you can do for someone, that is to pray for them when they pass. My grandfather thought me this prayer that I now say for : “Johnny Trains “ Dear LORD we pray, keep the sole of our departed friend “ Johnny Trains “ close to you, where we know hw will be safe. Please LORD, be with his family and loved ones for they are in a time of great need. Please comfort them and console them. Please O LORD, tell “Johnny Trains “ that someone who did not know him carded enough to say a prayer for him. --AA—Men….
Sean, Thank you for your thoughts and especially for your prayer. Your grandfather taught you well. Amen, Ed
Fitz, I agree about Russ' adoption of Johnny's signature being a classy act. I have copied the idea from Russ. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Especially so in this case. Peace, Ed
Russ, I understand at least some of what you feel. The closure won't come all at once. Closure is built one step at a time. Yet there will be times in the future when it all comes back to haunt us. Just keep the faith. You might want to look at a book entitled, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" Every time we watch a train, we will be thinking of Johnny and thinking how much he would have enjoyed this train. One of Johnny's greatest legacies is how he made everyone feel worthwhile and valuable. He had the innate talent to make each person he met feel special and significant. We could learn from his acts of kindness. Peace, Ed
My heavy congestion prevented me from finding out about Johnny until now. Mary Kay and Kathleen, May I offer 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4. This has stunned me speechless for now, our hearts and prayers go out to you both, and share with all the other friends. Johnny was my friend!
Oh so true... </font>[/QUOTE]But that's only one side of the coin. I know from past conversations with him that he cherished his friendships greatly. You all made him feel special - so it was natural for him to want to repay that. I think THAT was his true legacy - the example he served to all of us, how we should cherish that which is sacred above all else... friendship. What was it Mark Twain said? "The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime" -Gordon Mott ___________________ From a past convo about Russ, and the birth of Ryan JT: i posted russ' info on TB and RRF and people are responding like crazy already! GM: lol GM: sweet GM: railfans are like that, man JT: it's a brotherhood
He was so proud of my newborn son. I am only sorry that he did not get a chance to meet him in person. Two weeks before JT went into the hospital he and Mary Kay sent me a little engineer's outfit, complete with hat, for Ryan. That was for the first time that we went railfanning together. I was going to ask JT to be Ryan's godfather. At least I know that he is being watched by an angel now and I will most certainly tell my son all about JT and his first train outfit when he is older. Russ
Johnny gave my son Mick an "I Love NY" tee shirt last year at Deshler. It is still one of Mick's favorites. He also used to send Mick photos of fire engines from NY which are still on the bulliten board in Mick's room. It seems like Johnny was always thinking of others even though they may be hundreds of miles apart. Like others here, I am still having a hard time with this. May is a month that I do not look forward to as the vast majority of my immediate family and a few friends have died in May. Now this...
I had a close relationship to Johnny, We had met the weekend of July 27th 2002, (I think the years right) But I'm stunned by this WOW, Good bless his wife an kids an may God take care of them to see they all have things needed in life........Blessings! As for those of you members that had JT's phone number if any of you call JT's wife to verbally give her your condolences, please by all means add mine as well, (I'd call her to do so myself, but I don't have my phone numbers handy to do so or I would) As for that, one of you may e-mail it to me if you like! This is totslly saddening to me to know I knew the man an was close friends with him, an also knowing his cousin Pete as well. This is a sad loss for Trainboard, I'm pleased to see the "In Memory of" on the front page, that was a class act of respect!
