Alan Burden (AlanB)
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jis
Permanent Way Inspector
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Penny, we'll raise a glass of Chard to Alan in Schenectady on Friday over dinner.
Acela150
Super Buff
I oddly had the thought of Alan's passing a week ago or so and knew the sad anniversary was coming soon, I couldn't remember and probably chose to not remember the date. I still hope that those switches are lined and locked normal for him and he hits nothing but Clear Signals.
It's still not the same without him here.
It's still not the same without him here.
I will disagree with Shakespeare in saying that the good that men do live after them. Alan always touched those that he met in a positive way and will be remembered as such.
Tomorrow will be 3 years. 
❤
I am on my way home from an OTOL fest/excursion, Most of us that were on the Crescent on 7/12/18 in Alabama were also on a train to Roanoke yesterday and back from Roanoke today. I believe the 5 of us will always have a special bond because of what we witnessed that day. I am in fairly regular communication with Alan's sister and Alan's mother. Grace is still around but probably unable to travel without assistance from a family member. She is currently living with her daughter. I regularly send regards from OTOL and AU members to the family.
I had a few glasses of Chardonnay on Friday while on the Silver Meteor in honor of Alan.
❤I am on my way home from an OTOL fest/excursion, Most of us that were on the Crescent on 7/12/18 in Alabama were also on a train to Roanoke yesterday and back from Roanoke today. I believe the 5 of us will always have a special bond because of what we witnessed that day. I am in fairly regular communication with Alan's sister and Alan's mother. Grace is still around but probably unable to travel without assistance from a family member. She is currently living with her daughter. I regularly send regards from OTOL and AU members to the family.
I had a few glasses of Chardonnay on Friday while on the Silver Meteor in honor of Alan.
I was thinking of you today knowing you're on the OTOL fest/excursion. ((((HUGS))))Tomorrow will be 3 years.
I am on my way home from an OTOL fest/excursion, Most of us that were on the Crescent on 7/12/18 in Alabama were also on a train to Roanoke yesterday and back from Roanoke today. I believe the 5 of us will always have a special bond because of what we witnessed that day. I am in fairly regular communication with Alan's sister and Alan's mother. Grace is still around but probably unable to travel without assistance from a family member. She is currently living with her daughter. I regularly send regards from OTOL and AU members to the family.
I had a few glasses of Chardonnay on Friday while on the Silver Meteor in honor of Alan.
I still remember when you PMd me the Sad News , and remember how yall were so shook up ( understandably)when you got to Austin, and we spent the day together!
Everyone who ever knew Alan knows how special he was, and he'll always be missed!
Everyone who ever knew Alan knows how special he was, and he'll always be missed!
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Everydaymatters
Engineer
He was so special to each of us. Sadly missed.
Ryan
Court Jester
He was indeed, and sorely missed. Hope you all had a wonderful trip, I'm sure he was smiling down on the group.
I joined this year, and although I never got to speak to him, I’ve read some of his wonderful explanations on Amtrak. A few weeks back I was bored, and came across this thread. He seemed like an amazing person, and I wish I could’ve met him
jis
Permanent Way Inspector
Staff member
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To be precise it was half a bottle shared between the two of us and of course the complementary one that came with the dinner.Tomorrow will be 3 years.
I am on my way home from an OTOL fest/excursion, Most of us that were on the Crescent on 7/12/18 in Alabama were also on a train to Roanoke yesterday and back from Roanoke today. I believe the 5 of us will always have a special bond because of what we witnessed that day. I am in fairly regular communication with Alan's sister and Alan's mother. Grace is still around but probably unable to travel without assistance from a family member. She is currently living with her daughter. I regularly send regards from OTOL and AU members to the family.
I had a few glasses of Chardonnay on Friday while on the Silver Meteor in honor of Alan.
I was just thinking about AlanB, too, as we made our excursion down to Roanoke then making my way through Penn Station. I boarded with Alan and his mother on that faithful trip.
Ryan
Court Jester
So I keep an elderly iMac in the kitchen that 99% of the time displays a webpage I have set up for calendar/weather/etc display for the family. One of the elements on the screen is a rotating picture from my library. Just wandered into the Kitchen and Alan greeted me. This is from the Chicago gathering in 2013:
Here's the original image - I haven't looked at pictures from that trip in quite some time...
Joliet 10 by Ryan Stavely, on Flickr
Here's the original image - I haven't looked at pictures from that trip in quite some time...
Joliet 10 by Ryan Stavely, on Flickr
Our Gathering trip to Joliet!So I keep an elderly iMac in the kitchen that 99% of the time displays a webpage I have set up for calendar/weather/etc display for the family. One of the elements on the screen is a rotating picture from my library. Just wandered into the Kitchen and Alan greeted me. This is from the Chicago gathering in 2013:
View attachment 23552
Here's the original image - I haven't looked at pictures from that trip in quite some time...
I just found posts about AlanB tonight! I wasn't active on AU for a few years so totally missed this sad information. I remember his name so well and how he expertly commented on and helped the AU community on so many posts from before he passed on. Very sad news. I also viewed a memorial video of him that was posted and read a bit about his funeral service. I noticed quite a few AU members attended it. He was clearly a beloved member of this forum. May he RIP.
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It is 4 years today. Still thinking of that trip to NOL with great sadness.
I think about that day a lot. In about 10 days I’ll be taking the Crescent northbound.
