I am sad to report that my father, Joe Connell, aka WWDRKID, passed away suddenly last month. He was an active member of Train Orders and, prior to that, a listener on the Wednesday QSO radio group. A native San Franciscan, he was a rail fan with a special fondness for SP4449 which stemmed from family trips to Los Angeles on the Daylight in his youth. His train chasing days consisted of a 1949 Chevy with a 3-speed on the column watching the SP cab forwards power over Donner Pass from old US 40.
His love of trains was passed down to his children; our right of passage consisted of a SP Daylight train trip complete with french toast or some other, by then, vending machine treat in the “automated diner”. To this day, I look forward to being caught behind any railroad crossing to watch as a train passes by.
Dad was buried on St. Patrick’s Day at Holy Cross cemetery in Colma. I thought you might appreciate the memorial card my brother Bob created for his services. I believe Dad would approve!



Jim Connell