As many here are aware he wrote Rails to Carry Copper, a detailed history (emphasis on detailed) of the Magma Arizona Railroad. That work started as his masters thesis at the University of Arizona. As a thesis it had to be read and approved by two faculty members, one professor from the history department, and a second from a department other than history. Both approved it with flying colors since it was well researched and well written, but the second professor added the postscript, "I now know far more about the Magma Arizona Railroad than I ever wanted or needed to know." Gordon was a stickler for detail.
Gordon had a huge impact on my life. Early in our friendship I was in the Navy and expecting to make a career of it. But Gordon introduced me to Dave Myrick, and David introduced me to the "right" people at Southern Pacific, and a navy career quickly became a 40 year railroad career, a change of direction for which I have been forever grateful.....paid to chase trains.
Gordon spent a lot of time at the CRRM and was a good friend of Bob's. I think for a short period while Bob was off in Mexico Gordon was the acting Director of the museum or some such. Hopefully some of the folks who knew him at the CRRM can provide some stories. He and K. Itty were certainly good friends.
In the picture I posted above I noticed that Gordon is carrying the 16mm camera with which he recorded many DRGW ng. trains between our first visit in 1960 and the end of freight operations. I have always wondered what happened to that film. When I asked Gordon he thought the film was at the CRRM but didn't know where at CRRM. I wonder if anyone knows where the film is, there could be some good stuff there.
JBWX
Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2021 09:45AM by John West.