| The Ben Schnieder Memorial ~ Labor Day 2007 It is always hard to say goodbye to a friend, especially one that has touched so many lives in the live steam hobby. Ben Schnieder was a very gentle man that was always willing to share his knowledge to anyone willing to learn. Many people in the hobby today got their first taste of running a live steamer behind the throttle of Ben's Atlantic. On Labor Day 2007, a few friends gathered at the BCRR to say good bye, and remember him. We shared memories, shed a tear or two and as a truly fitting tribute to the man, we burned up a bunch of coal and polished the rails. |
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| L - R, Larry Smith (Manatee Central RR), Bruce Raykiewicz (BCRR), and Charles Brillant (Tradewinds and Atlantic RR) |
| George Johnson (Manatee Central RR) and his 0-4-0 crossing the trestle. |
| Bruce Raykiewicz & Warren Jamison (Largo Central RR) |
| Andrew Habasevich (Central Pasco & Gulf RR) steaming up his |
| Tara Archer (TARR), Ed Archer (TARR), Warren Jamison (LCRR) |
| Front to back: Larry Smith (MCRR), Ken Swartz (MCRR), Wayne ?, Mark Selinski and Joan Smith (MCRR) |
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| L&R; Jerry Smithson (CP&G), Ken Swartz (MCRR), Larry Smith (MCRR), Cam Wilks, Andrew Habasevich (CP&G), and Brian Wilks. |
| Lots of steam. Larry Smiths "American", Bob Deans "Northern", Ben Schnieder's "Atlantic" |
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| Ross Conkle (Little Ranch RR) and Bob Dean (Bob Dean Supply) steam up Bob's Northern. |
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| The Schnieder family and the Owners & Members of the BCRR would like express their gratetude to the following people and organizations that took the time to come by and show their respects. Listed by track / group: Manatee Central RR: Larry & Joan Smith, Ken Swartz, George Johnson, Pete Newcomb, Steven & Brian Largo Central RR: Warren Jamison, Cam Wilks, Brian Wilks, George Taylor, Mark Selinski, Wayne Tradewinds & Atlantic RR: Ed & Tara Archer, Charles Brillant Central Pasco & Gulf RR: Gerry Smithson, Andrew Habasevich, Bob Habasevich Lakes Park Train Village: Armando Igratta Scale Rails: Alex & Lyle Little Ranch RR: Ross Conkle Bob Dean Supply: Robin Dean |