Re: Passing of Bob Shank, Sr.

February, 1982, I was at a Rocky Mountain Railroad Club dinner at Ft Lewis College. At my table was Bob Shank Sr. and Charles Bradshaw. As a young guy without reservations, I asked Mr. Bradshaw when he would recreate the Silver Vista. Bradshaw responded, "That railcar must have been hotter than the hinges on the gates of h'll. It would be too much like riding in a greenhouse". Bob responded to Brashaw that he had ridden the original Silver Vista many times and enjoyed each trip in the Silver Vista. Bob went on to say, "You should listen to this kid and make another Silver Vista. It will sell a lot of tickets and make good money". Bob sent me a letter full of pictures he had taken of the original Silver Vista.

I finally rode the new Silver Vista this October and was close to frozen by the time we arrived to Silverton. Even so, I enjoyed the ride I had looked forward to for more than 26 years.