Sad news in today's Modesto BEE. John Y. Orr, lifelong railfan and a charter member of the Altamont Press family, passed away on December 3, 2015, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. John was a close friend of Altamont founder Rob Carlson and a keen observer of the northern California railroad scene.

A sixth generation Californian, John had railroading in his blood. His grandfather, John W. Orr, was the SP agent at Newman, California for 49 years, and John enjoyed recording the ever-changing industry on film and video tape. Classic Chevys, ham radio, meteorology, and the San Francisco Forty Niners were among John's non-railroad interests.

Modest and unassuming, John was a remarkably quiet man--and a true student of the industry. It was always a pleasure to encounter him at trackside and share conversation.

We've lost one of the good ones.