Steam & Excursion > Carl Jensen

I am a bit surprised that no mention was made of Carl Jensen's passing on March 25.  Carl ran the NS Steam Program from 1986-1994 and was responsible for the great steam trips with NS engines put on by museums and NRHS chapters during that time, including some Frisco 1522 trips.  Carl was 87.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/24 12:46 by MILW16.

See Carl Jensen article posted at: 

https://railfan.com/carl-jensen-norfolk-southern-steam-boss-dies-at-87/

and

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/carl-jensen-manager-of-ns-steam-program-dies/#:~:text=Corns-,Carl%20Jensen%2C%20manager%20of%20the%20Norfolk%20Southern%20Steam%20Program%20from,1218%2C%20almost%20to%20its%20end.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/24 13:55 by TTStetz3.

Below is a link to Carl's Legacy obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/roanoke/name/carl-jensen-obituary?id=54744145
ALLEN

Sorry to hear about this. Here is a picture that I took of Carl Jensen and Jim Bistline at Alexandria,VA. on 8/2/87 during the NRHS Convention that year. These two gentlemen definitely had a lot to do with the success of the Steam Program and we as Railfans were fortunate to have them in our corner !  I've added another shot taken during a water stop at Hickory,NC. on 7/23/89 during the NRHS Convention. That's Robert Claytor with Mr. Jensen.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/24 09:10 by perklocal.

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Carl looks like he took his mission seriously like any good manager.

Victor Baird

We were at his funeral today and it was a moving adventure of trains.

Chris

That wonderful man granted me a memory I will forever cherish. As a 16yo, I got the nerve to ask him if I could ride the cab of 611 on a photo runby during a Cincinnati to Danville roundtrip. He smiled and said, "Stay close to me. I have to make sure someone is not already riding." About 10 minutes later as the train approached the runby location, he approached me with a huge smile and said, "OK young man, time to ride the cab!" I will never forget that. Thank you Mr. Jensen. God Bless.

I was a car host on a 3985 trip once. The trin was sitting in a station somewhere in Idaho when a fellow came toward the frain, lit cigar in hand, I intercepted him and informed him that smoking was not allowed on the train. He looked at the cigar as if he had had no idea, until I brought it up, that the cigar was hitching a ride in his hand. "Oh, I ain't smokin' it, just holdin' it." And technically, that was so. I didn't push the issue, and was glad I hadn't when I later learned who he was.

I had numerous chats with Mr. Jensen on NS and UP excursions. He was always candid, cordial and professional. Those are good memories. Thank you Mr. Jensen.

Kennard Britton
 

K8DTI Wrote:
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> That wonderful man granted me a memory I will
> forever cherish. As a 16yo, I got the nerve to ask
> him if I could ride the cab of 611 on a photo
> runby during a Cincinnati to Danville roundtrip.
> He smiled and said, "Stay close to me. I have to
> make sure someone is not already riding." About 10
> minutes later as the train approached the runby
> location, he approached me with a huge smile and
> said, "OK young man, time to ride the cab!" I will
> never forget that. Thank you Mr. Jensen. God
> Bless.

Did 611 run in the 80s? This was probably the 90s. Anyway, a lot of things happened in that decade that would not happen today, unfortunately.
I didnt get a cab ride on a mainline steam trip, but growing up in the 80s allowed for a lot of cool, up close experiences that kids today are missing out on.
Thank goodness for Mr Jensen and others of his ilk. Their actions back then are now viewed as legendary.

Posted from Android

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> K8DTI Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That wonderful man granted me a memory I will
> > forever cherish. As a 16yo, I got the nerve to
> ask
> > him if I could ride the cab of 611 on a photo
> > runby during a Cincinnati to Danville
> roundtrip.
> > He smiled and said, "Stay close to me. I have
> to
> > make sure someone is not already riding." About
> 10
> > minutes later as the train approached the runby
> > location, he approached me with a huge smile
> and
> > said, "OK young man, time to ride the cab!" I
> will
> > never forget that. Thank you Mr. Jensen. God
> > Bless.
>
> Did 611 run in the 80s? This was probably the
> 90s. Anyway, a lot of things happened in that
> decade that would not happen today, unfortunately.
>

611 ran from 1982-1994 and now 2015-present. 

Here's a photo of Mr. Jensen in the cab of the 611. 

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That's such a great story. It reminds me of the railroaders I grew up with. I only knew one that was curt with me, but he invited me to his house after he retired to show my movies to his family (Yes, he was included in one of my movies.)

Victor Baird

K8DTI Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That wonderful man granted me a memory I will
> forever cherish. As a 16yo, I got the nerve to ask
> him if I could ride the cab of 611 on a photo
> runby during a Cincinnati to Danville roundtrip.
> He smiled and said, "Stay close to me. I have to
> make sure someone is not already riding." About 10
> minutes later as the train approached the runby
> location, he approached me with a huge smile and
> said, "OK young man, time to ride the cab!" I will
> never forget that. Thank you Mr. Jensen. God
> Bless.

Salute!

clem Wrote:
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> "Oh, I ain't smokin' it, just holdin' it."

Reminds me of Bud Abbott being stopped by a cop during a smoking ban caused by dry conditions.  When the cop said he was smoking because he was holding an unlit cigarette, he replied "I'm wearing shoes, but I'm not walking."  Unable to refute the logic, the cop let him go.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Sad to hear about Carl, nice stories guys, not only a guy who was all work and no play, but was always friendly to fans and all that good stuff, wish I met him myself!