A Last Steamup with A Good Friend
by Andrew Macpherson

November 4th, 2001

On November 4th once again we were blessed with a perfect day out at Ric's home. The morning had been cloudy and wet, but by the time we had all gathered to steam the LA sun was burning bring and hot. As always Ric and Kay opened their house, fed us like kings, and made the day a wonderful event for us all. None of us could have any idea that this would be the last time we would see Ric.

I was first introduced to Ric by David Baker in 1998. In the three short years I've known Ric I have been lucky enough to enjoy many railway days with him. With his wonderfully irreverent sense of humor and enormous enthusiasm he made my rediscovery of a childhood passion an incredible and enjoyable adventure. I will personally miss him very much. His passing has left a great tear in the lives of all of us who love to steam, and play trains, here in LA.

Ric eyes the spitting and hissing C16 as it starts a heavy inertia car.

 

Jon Toumanian gets the weathered C16 ready for the day's first run.

 

The C16 cruising past the garden village.

 

Sonny Wizelman's neatly finished Climax at the end of it's run.

 

Larry Bangham and Sonny Wizelman inspecting the Climax.

 

Sonny, Lee, Larry and Jon all enjoying the 'Runyon Ranch'.

 

David Barrington-Holt with his beautifully modified Forney.

 

Future steamer Vanja Barrington-Holt was very impressed with Larry's whistle!

 

David's heavily modified Forney, with super detail and paint all by him.

 

David's little electric gem, it runs on a battery carried in the box car behind, and is radio controlled for total ease and comfort.

 

Larry's Mikado passing Jon's as it awaits it's turn on the main line.

 

Jon prepping his immaculate 'ex shop' Mikado for the last run of the day.

 

Jon's Mikado races along the fast straight; Larry Bangham's whistle control is clearly visible above the 3rd and 4th drivers.

 

The Mikado races into the sunset, the last engine to run on our last day out with Ric.