Steam & Excursion > Bill Purdie

Hi Folks,

For you that are old enough to remember Mr. Purdie, here's a heads up... He's turning 90 this April.

There will be an open reception in his honor with light refreshments on Sunday, April 10 2005 from 2pm - 5pm at the Southeastern Railway Museum.

We are working on putting together a slide show featuring Mr Purdie and his work over the years. If you're interested in contributing, please contact John Marbury at: john.marbury@srmduluth.org or me at Randy.Pirkle@srmduluth.org


Thanks,
Randy


Randy Pirkle
Administrator, Southeastern Railway Museum
www.srmduluth.org

I used to know a fella in the US Navy back in 1960 to 1963, time frame, and it seems like his first name might have been Randy. I was on the USS Thetis Bay, LPH6. This sound familiar to you?

Con

I remember Bill Purdie and he's one super individual.

Phil

I sure do remember him. He put in his last offical days on the railroad in 1982? as engineer on the Lexington to Chattanooga and return excursion. At the last draw of the straw the SR locomotive needed a fill-in and we rode behind NKP 765. That was some ride and there couldn't have been a better 'throttle jocky' running the show. Some pretty fast running (80mph?), run-by's in the hills, and plenty of soot in the eyes riding the open rear platform. And dinner in the elegant hotel in Chattanooga was superb! It was a trip for the books. Happy 90th Mr. Purdie!

lhj

It's great to know he is still with us. I remember reading a great article about him in Trains years ago, don't remember what issue.

Is this Mr. William J. (Bill) Purdie? If so I have a vidoe with him mentioned in it with the 614 I think and maybe the Southern 2716 through Lynchburg and a short capture of his wife Mrs. Sara Purdie.

Steven
Clifton Forge, Va

Hi Steven,

Yes, this is the same Mr. Purdie. Mrs. Sara Purdie passed on 12-14 years ago (early 1990's if I recall correctly). His second wife(Hazel) passed on a few years ago.


Randy

Randy,

Thanks for that info. Its nice to see that some of the good guys are still around. Would love to have the time to sit downa and hear their stories.

Steven