More about Chuck Vercelli from "Ed Von Nordeck" ------

" Chuck was raised in Eagle Rock CA, where he discovered the "Yellow" cars and PE cars. His middle name may as well have been "Traction". For he loved anything to do with electric transportation.

I first met him at Perris, when about every year a group of fans from the north would come down to visit "OET".

He was very active in Bay Area rail groups, and I think Jim Walker and Pat Ellyson can fill you in more on this and should have some photos of him.

In the mid 1960's he got involved with assisting with Great Western Tours, who operated group rail tours of North America, Guatemala and across Russia. Mary Lee and I assisted Chuck on Mexico Special Trains in the 1970's, and Mary Lee assisted on some of the Canadian Tours.

In the 1960's he worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a City Freight Agent, calling upon freight shippers.
In the late 70's and later, was a bus and Trolley Coach operator for the Muni Railway. After having some early heart problems, he had to get out of the drivers seat and became involved with head counts and customer loadings on the transit routes.


He was a true gentleman and with his large build, stood out head high in any group. So easy going with the customers and ready made for dealing with tour passengers. He made friends everywhere he went and the railroad crews in Mexico just loved him."

Ed Von Nordeck