I was told by what I feel is a reliable source that Jack Showalter of the former "Alleghany Central" and the "Virginia Central" has passed away in early May. I've tried to search online for his obituary but was unable to find one and or link to it. Can anyone who is more familiar with Jack and his daughter who last were living in Charlottesville VA confirm what I've already been told of his passing? We have potentially lost another who worked very hard to save a small piece of steam. Folks keep in mind his two Canadian Steamers and related equipment remain stored "serviceable" in Stanton VA. Look forward to any replies.

Steve in Roanoke VA

I'm saddened to read such news ... I was one of Jack's employees during his short period in here Cumberland, MD.

Jack, his wife, and their daughter Sally were wonderful people to work for and I for one learned quite a lot from him.


Tim Wilson

Sit tight until someone confirms it.

I have an e-mail, text, and voice-mail message in to the one chap I know who was on a business and friendship relationship with him.

Steve,

Didn't the Pacifics move to the Richmond Science Museum? Or did that plan never go through?

Rob

Rob,

That plan fell through and the engines are still stored in Staunton, VA last I saw.

Dave

Richmond Science has the C&O 2-8-4 which was once displayed in downtown Richmond. THere are ample tracks for a large number of additional display pieces, if acquired.

Well, there's good/indifferent news, and there's bad news.

The good/indifferent: Without getting too far into anyone's private business, a meeting/get-together of sorts for next weekend that would have been canceled had Showalter passed away has not been canceled, according to one participant, so...........


On the other hand--again, avoiding specifics for privacy/security reasons, a facility where much of Showalter's assets had been stored for years has been sold (apparently at the end of last year), AND there was a major industrial auction yesterday at said site, involving everything from construction trucks to restaurant equipment to vintage gas pumps and other automobilia. However, despite the cryptic "MORE ITEMS TO BE ADDED BY 2 MORE CONSIGNERS!" notice at the end of the ad, I am unable to find any sign that railroad equipment or railroadiana was involved. The auctioneer was a local of the area, not an industrial specialist.


UPDATE: I was able to get another associate of Showalter's to look over the auction catalog/list--he saw nothing he recognized as Showalter's.

UPDATE #2: Friend of a friend in the area (all names I know/recognize) said (and again I shield specifics, at my discretion) "[The business owner] sold only the business, but retained the land, and, probably, buildings. The garage next to [an] office will be moving into the truck building, and 2 [railroad-connected] buildings will now be vacant...."

If I'm to read between the lines, this could be good news for the Showalter stuff, but I'm still stroking my chin because this could also indicate a change from a "friendly" tenant/neighbor to a not-so-accommodating one...... Stay Tuned.........

While I haven't actually gotten in touch with his daughter (her health isn't that great either) no body who knows the family has heard of this. (I should add in that nobody has been able to get in touch with them during the week either).
I feel certin that Jack is still alive, and that the Roanoake rummor mill is in over drive as I have been hearing this for quite some time.
Apprently people are really eating this one up, because 18 plus months ago a tour guide in Clifton Fordge told me he had died "months ago" dispite me talking to his daughter a week before, wouldn't belive me.

The sad news is that Bill Buresy, who was Jacks main mechanic and engineer for years died on the 19th of January. As a man who had worked as a machinist for years on steam, and then ran it for years, it was temendous loss to the knowledge bank, but mostly the loss of a great friend.


As to the equipment auction, I was fixing a on an emergency repair that day, but as of train time Thursday, no Virginia Central equipment had been pulled in to the line up.

Ben

Having spoken with Sally a couple of times a few years back, I can say with confidence that I highly doubt anything dubious would happen with the locomotives. I would not want to state emphatically that some items might not eventually meet a less than desirable fate as a few of the passenger cars are unremarkable, but several are/were actually very nice (though not thoroughly modernized) and would likely be scooped up were there an auction. They were painted as recently as 3 years ago.

Sandy, your message indicates good news, but does leave some doubt. Should we infer that there is indeed no doubt? If so, that's great!

Mike

I think it would be better to say that nothing would happen to the locomotives and cars as long as the Showalters retain control. It's still not impossible to construe a situation where, behind the scenes, eviction notices have been served, some rent check came in late, liens were slapped, and/or scrappers called in just to "get rid of that junk!" And it may not matter whether the scrapping is 100% legal or not (see Jensen/5629); those who live by the informal handshake deals also die by the same deals.

The one mutual associate dismissed every aspect of his reported death until he found out about the auction--and then he all but panicked. We STILL don't know for certain what's going on, and in the one case it's someone that has a VERY legitimate "need to know" about stuff that's otherwise none of our business.

You wanna save the stuff? You've had YEARS to pony up cash. Have it ready, just in case.

How does one keep an "ad" private and non specific?

Simple enough.

I"M not going to repost the information. Anyone who really has any serious business regarding their railroad equipment already has at least two ways to get a hold of them or their agents. If you want to poke around and waste your time searching for this information just because you're curious, I can't stop you, but I'm not going to make it easier for you.

I'm of the opinion that part of the reason this stuff is in somewhat "dire" straits is because of curiosity-seekers and "troublemakers," much like the infamous situation that made the Escanaba & Lake Superior RR ban railroad enthusiasts from their property.

Advertising the exact location of Jack's equipment serves no interest, so I concur with Sandy's thoughts. If you need to know or are curious enough, you can find out with some work.

Mike
General area of Elkhart, for now...

So-has anyone received an update on the status of Jack Showalter?

I'm not asking about where his equipment is; I want to know how this gentleman is doing.

I had the pleasure of (briefly) working with him in the early-mid 1990s, while I was affiliated with the Old Dominion Chapter, NRHS. What a character!

Oddly enough, your query coincided simultaneously with the following in my e-mail inbox, forwarded by my friend-of-a-friend (non-relevant details edited out):