Nostalgia & History > Did Any TO Member Attend WGRF 1979?

WGRF = World’s Greatest Rail Fans
WGRF was an informal group of rail fans organized IN October 1965. The first meet was held in Cincinnati on the weekend of April 23-24, 1966.
Some of the organizers included Tom Smart, Charlie Mote, Ken Douglas, Lou Marre, and dave Ingles. 26 people attended the first event.
The above information is from Cincinnati Railroad Heritage by J. David Ingles and denny Hamilton published by Four Ways West.
Some time later, it evolved into an informal event held on Labor Day Weekend for a number of years.
In late 1978 a new rail fan moved to the Louisville area. He invited me to attend the 1979 event that was held in Pittsburgh on Labor Day Weekend. It turned out to be an interesting experience. Arrangements were made to bus us from the unofficial HQ hotel to J&L Steel for a tour of their facility and the opportunity to photograph their in-plant rail equipment. The tour also included a visit to the Aliquippa & Southern shops with an opportunity to photograph many of their units.
I really felt like a lightweight among a group of heavyweights. Nevertheless, I enjoyed attending.
If you attended this event, I would appreciate hearing from you.
ALLEN

I was there, so was Miller.Big turn out.Seems like when a year ends in a 9 we head to Pittsburgh.Caught a Pirate game there one year at Three Rivers.Great town.
​Steve Gartner

Went cause of the steel mills... was great... being a newbie, saw guys loading roll upon roll of K64 and shooting a roll of the J&L switchers. Best was the ride THRU Edger Thompson,  the bus pulled in , we got out shot the swithers staged, and the bus could not turn around so they escorted us THRU the plant,, camera out every window and the guards going nuts..... but USS got revenge  the bus got a flat tire and just made it back to the hotel...
dave jakubiec
 

That was the year US Air made me miss the connection out of Charlotte.
I was there------------ a day late.
Uncle Joe,Seffner,Fl.

Join us for our latest,San Antonio,last week of October 2016.
PS How about some of you long lost western guys show up.
We miss you. 

Here's a group photo taken by David Johnston, Sept 1, 1979.  I have another photo or two that I will post as soon as I can dig them up.

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Rathole Wrote:
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> Here's a group photo taken by David Johnston, Sept
> 1, 1979.  I have another photo or two that I
> will post as soon as I can dig them up.

Thanks for posting this photo.  I had forgotten about the hard hats and the group photo.  Tonight, I'm using my mini with a 10" screen.  Tomorrow, I'll take a look on my desktop with a 23" monitor to see if I can find myself.
ALLEN

Were you there,Steve?

Uncle Joe

Yes indeed - far left standing.   

Joe,
I'm standing next to David blowing a roll of K25.Hello Rathole its been a long time hope all is well.

I recognize some of those folks. There's J.J. Buckley, second from right. There's retired from railfanning Jim Claflin up by the headlight. Rathole, were you ever that skinny?

A long time ago!  


The_Chief_Way Wrote:
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> I recognize some of those folks. There's J.J.
> Buckley, second from right. There's retired from
> railfanning Jim Claflin up by the headlight.
> Rathole, were you ever that skinny?

Bob Graham 5th from left on the ground and Bob Wilt to the right of Jim Claflin up on the walkway in front of the cab and I believe Dave Busse to the right of Bob Wilt.  Paul DeLuca 8th from the left on the walkway, and Ken Douglas 7th from left on the ground.  It's hard to recognize some people due to hard hats and many not facing the photographer - also it has been a long time (almost 37 years) since this photo was taken!!   



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/16 04:48 by Rathole.

Believe I am 5th from Right on the ground.
ALLEN