Grandpa, I will forever hear your voice in my heart, the roar of your 765, and the whistle you blew. The amount of life and love you gave to us all, will be carried on through generations to come. We all love you endlessly. Rest In Peace Grandpa Stephens.
Grandpa Great, may you always have a clear signal, may the warning gates come down so you can have a straight shot, and may you ride like the wind. Ride on Grandpa Great, ride on. Love, Your great grandsons, Gabe and Trent.
Heather Snyder I’m sorry for your loss. Tom was a great and friendly guy. His love for trains was something you could never take away from him. He taught and told stories for people like me that want to be future engineers. Cheers from The Steam Railroading Institute.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Tom and I were the two primary engineers on NKP 765. He and I handled the 765 on all the trips she ran back in that era, and there were many! There is something about Tom that is very special, and that most people don't know. Tom never worked for a railroad. He never had the benefit of any formal training in running an engine, stretch braking, train handling, signal rules, etc. Yet Tom was one of the smoothest, safest and most professional engineers that have ever pulled the throttle of the 765. Tom learned by asking questions, watching experienced engineers run the 765, and by understanding the machine he was operating and what he was doing. When locomotive engineer certification and licensing came on the scene in the early 90s, Tom took and passed the written tests required, as well as acing a check ride in the 765 with a railroad official looking on. Tom always handled his trains with a gentle touch on the throttle and brakes. He was always concerned about the people aboard the trains, and the 765 as well. He never beat on the 765 by running it improperly and he always enjoyed what he was doing while in that right-hand seat. Tom was a unique guy. He never did anything half-way. When he got into something that interested him, he was ALL IN. Learning to run the 765 and handle a train was a perfect example. He was definitely all in on that! It was my honor to serve on the 765 crew with Tom for many years. I still miss him. Rich Melvin Retired 765 Engineer
Tom was an amazing man. He taught and told stories to people like me who want to be future engineers. His love for trains was something you could never take away from him. - The Steam Railroading Institute
he was my grandpa in the 80s they were runing fast and I mean fast enough but today its still running even though it's still has his ghost R.I.P Tom Steven's
Rest in Peace Tom Stephens its a shame your not longer with us and couldn't get to see 2716 when she moved to Ravenna last year but at least he lived a good life
God bless his wonderful soul and loving family as well as all he has touched. For though he is gone he is not forgotten and therefore always here and alive. May he rest in splendid peace.
Rip tom. I'm glad when 2716 was moved to Ravenna a few weeks ago his wife broght a picture of him to let him know that she made it and is on her way to begin restored to operating condition again
In Pentrex Steam to Huntington Video it showed a good clip of him at the throttle of the 765 when it Doubleheaded with it's identical twin sister, Pere Marquette 1225 to the 1991 Convention.
If you wanna see a great video of Tom at work in the cab, here ya go ua-cam.com/video/3naSPlSjQj0/v-deo.html and this one ua-cam.com/video/OuGLUCSWOyg/v-deo.html
Grandpa, I will forever hear your voice in my heart, the roar of your 765, and the whistle you blew. The amount of life and love you gave to us all, will be carried on through generations to come. We all love you endlessly. Rest In Peace Grandpa Stephens.
Grandpa Great, may you always have a clear signal, may the warning gates come down so you can have a straight shot, and may you ride like the wind. Ride on Grandpa Great, ride on. Love, Your great grandsons, Gabe and Trent.
I am sorry for your loss.....
Heather Snyder you have earned a sub
Heather Snyder I’m sorry for your loss. Tom was a great and friendly guy. His love for trains was something you could never take away from him. He taught and told stories for people like me that want to be future engineers. Cheers from The Steam Railroading Institute.
Sorry for the loss he was a great man and also a railroad man we will miss him
He’s highballing to the sky now. We’ll all miss you Tom.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Tom and I were the two primary engineers on NKP 765. He and I handled the 765 on all the trips she ran back in that era, and there were many!
There is something about Tom that is very special, and that most people don't know. Tom never worked for a railroad. He never had the benefit of any formal training in running an engine, stretch braking, train handling, signal rules, etc. Yet Tom was one of the smoothest, safest and most professional engineers that have ever pulled the throttle of the 765. Tom learned by asking questions, watching experienced engineers run the 765, and by understanding the machine he was operating and what he was doing. When locomotive engineer certification and licensing came on the scene in the early 90s, Tom took and passed the written tests required, as well as acing a check ride in the 765 with a railroad official looking on.
Tom always handled his trains with a gentle touch on the throttle and brakes. He was always concerned about the people aboard the trains, and the 765 as well. He never beat on the 765 by running it improperly and he always enjoyed what he was doing while in that right-hand seat.
Tom was a unique guy. He never did anything half-way. When he got into something that interested him, he was ALL IN. Learning to run the 765 and handle a train was a perfect example. He was definitely all in on that!
It was my honor to serve on the 765 crew with Tom for many years. I still miss him.
Rich Melvin
Retired 765 Engineer
We need more men like Tom in this world. It's too bad they are all passing away.
TRAINMAN K not all of them.
"Remembrance of the ones we love last forever."
God bless Tom, we would like to thank him helping with 765
We will never forget you Tom you will always be remembered
Forever In Our Hearts, Tom Stephens In Heaven. Forever In Our Hearts. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Tom was an amazing man. He taught and told stories to people like me who want to be future engineers. His love for trains was something you could never take away from him. - The Steam Railroading Institute
Mad respect for Mr. Stephens. Passion continues for eternity. Ride the wind on golden rails sir.
We Will Never Forget You, Tom Stephens In Heaven. We Will Never Forget You.
May he ride the rails forever in heaven.
Rest in peace Tom, you will be missed..
he was my grandpa in the 80s they were runing fast and I mean fast enough but today its still running even though it's still has his ghost R.I.P Tom Steven's
May you rest in peace Tom. We'll never forget you and the 765 will always cheer for you with her whistle.
This is very sad news indeed. Thank you for sharing FWRHS. My condolences, please.
To bad RIP Tom! Everyone and the 765 will miss him
Another great man gone so few people of his generation left :( it’s sad to watch them go one by one
I Love This Awesome UA-cam Video In The Universe
RIP Tom god bless you!
He's taking a big berk up to the union depot in the sky
Rest in Peace Tom Stephens its a shame your not longer with us and couldn't get to see 2716 when she moved to Ravenna last year but at least he lived a good life
God bless his wonderful soul and loving family as well as all he has touched. For though he is gone he is not forgotten and therefore always here and alive. May he rest in splendid peace.
I have dreams to become a engineer like Tom was he is inspiring to me
Those were some great trips
We will all miss you Tom
What a shame. Rest Easy Tom.
Tom may be gone, but his contributions will live on every time 765 rolls along the high iron.
He is running 765 to the union station in the sky and stations beyond
We will miss you Tom
Rip tom. I'm glad when 2716 was moved to Ravenna a few weeks ago his wife broght a picture of him to let him know that she made it and is on her way to begin restored to operating condition again
May he forever run the 765 in heaven...... And for all you engineers out there....give him a whistle as a send off.
In Pentrex Steam to Huntington Video it showed a good clip of him at the throttle of the 765 when it Doubleheaded with it's identical twin sister, Pere Marquette 1225 to the 1991 Convention.
Rest In Peace Tom
Rip tom stephens
Tom Stephens passed away at age of 86
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner For Very Very Amazing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
RIP sir
When is 765 gonna return again?
This summer! www.fortwaynerailroad.org/events-and-excursions
When this summer.
Did you click the link above?
is 765 still at opperation
Absolutely.
@@fortwaynerailroad really
If you wanna see a great video of Tom at work in the cab, here ya go ua-cam.com/video/3naSPlSjQj0/v-deo.html and this one ua-cam.com/video/OuGLUCSWOyg/v-deo.html