Re: Happy 100th Birthday to Ward Kimball

I the early 1980's I found Ward's address published in the appendix of "The Collectors Book of The Locomotive" by E. P. Alexander. I sent Ward a letter explaining my interest in steam railroading and figured that the chances of hearing back was not very likely. I was really surprised when he called me the following week with an invitation to attend a steam-up at his home. When I arrived Chole was in steam and was pulling passengers up and down the tracks of the Grizzly Flats Railroad. There were quite a few guests and other than introducing myself to Ward there was not much time to visit. Several weeks later Ward invited me to come for a tour of the engine house and visit his extensive toy train collection. In 1983 when I purchased my locomotive "Gwen" I called Ward to discuss locomotive restoration, paint and color. We spent a couple of hours at the dining room table looking at photos of Chole's restoration and talking about his adventure building a railroad and restoring and collecting equipment.
Thanks for the education and inspiration Ward,
Richard Farmer.