I will always remember Mr. Richardson from the museum, but also riding with him on the various excursions I rode when I was younger, as well as his presence at all the railroads I worked for during my tourist railroad career. He used to also pay visits to my dad’s hobby shop in Littleton, CO (Little Town Hobbies) as he and my pop shared an interest in collecting Colorado railroad passes and talking Colorado History. I remember sitting with him on the NRHS 96, riding behind the UP 8444, both of us with our eyes glued on the speedometer as it approached 100 mph! He was around during the early days and various events of the Georgetown Loop, always taking pictures and willing to visit. He was there during the early days of the D&SNG when we were getting out locomotives like the 481 and 497, as well as our first winter trips, again camera in hand. During the first days of the Grand Canyon Ry in Williams, AZ, he was there, peering through the chain link fence until late at night as we worked franticly to get the No. 18 ready for the inaugural run on September 17th, always offering me encouragement and always remembering who I was. I remember hiking with him back into Glenco on the RGS for at least 2 miles, and having trouble keeping up with him, as he told us the story of getting the 346 over the line to Durango and the various problems he encountered. He took the time to retrieve a copy of the last Iron Horse News that he published, among the assorted stuff in his car, and signed it for me. And finally the last time I saw him, when I was helping with the Eureka in Durango and here is Bob, camera at the ready and willing to visit with anyone who was interested in Colorado railroads and it’s rich history.
I didn’t know Mr. Richardson as well as a lot of you guys did, but he always remembered who I was and always took the time to visit and say hello. Little did I know that when I was at the museum this morning, helping with the organizational details of the final push to get the 346 operational, that he was also there in spirit.
Rest in Peace, Bob, you did well.
MDR
