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Ken Meeker " Mayor of Altamont "
Author: Kyle
Date: 05-12-2010 - 08:03
From the Stockton Record
May 12, 2010 12:01 AM
Stockton, CA
Kenneth James Meeker
July 9, 1957 - May 8, 2010
Kenneth James Meeker, of Stockton, California. Ken died suddenly on May 8, 2010, at his home that was a great source of comfort during his courageous battle with a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by family. Ken was born on July 9, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was 52 years of age.
Ken, the rail fan: Ken was an avid fan of all things railroading for the past 48 years. Ken began his love of trains when his dad put him on a steam engine for a ride at the tender age of four. Ken spent countless hours hiking in and around railroad locations up and down to West Coast and British Columbia searching for that perfect train photo. In 1978, as a rail photographer and a Western Pacific employee, he was part of a small group of dedicated employees who convinced the railroad hierarchy to repaint one of the line's four remaining F-unit diesel locomotives to WP fan favorite silver and orange livery. The engine chosen was the WP913A. It delighted railfans and photographers of all ages as it traversed the route between San Jose and Stockton on a regular basis. The WP913A is now on permanent display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. To his railfanning buddies, he was known as the "Unofficial Mayor of Altamont" in recognition of the many days and nights he spent at Altamont taking pictures of trains. Ken was a published author and photographer whose articles and photographs appeared in many railfan magazines. At the time of his death, Ken was in progress of completing his first book, a color pictorial of the Western Pacific Railroad, a project of which he was immensely proud.
Ken, the business man: Ken, with his wife Cheryl, operated an antiques and collectibles business called, Roundhouse Hobbies and Antiques, specializing in railroad memorabilia.
The very much enjoyed traveling to railroad shows and searching for special finds in antique shops around the United States. Besides his love of railroad ephemera, he also liked advertising collectibles, especially those with soda or gasoline themes. Ken also was the Promoter of the annual Railroadiana Show and Sale known as Winterail that is held in Stockton each spring. He was quite proud of it being the West Coast's largest railroadiana show.
Ken, the employee: Until his illness caused an early retirement, Ken worked for various railroads, in many capacities. He served the Western Pacific Railroad as a clerk and dispatcher; the Union Pacific Railroad as a yard master and dispatcher; the Southern Pacific Railroad as a dispatcher; and most recently served as a transportation coordinator for the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE). He had the respect and admiration of all who worked with him.
Ken, the husband: Ken was married to his wife, Cheryl, for over 21 years. Together they enjoyed running their business, collecting antiques, photography, listening to rock and roll music, motoring on old Route 66, and most recently watching classic movies. His favorite movie was "Pride of the Yankees". Likewise, as a sportsfan, he was an avid New York Yankees fan. He delighted in telling the story of having attended an old timer's game where he got to see Mickey Mantle at the original Yankee Stadium when he was a young boy. His favorite football team was the Baltimore Colts, and he never quite got over their midnight departure to Indianapolis. Ken was especially fond of music of the Doobie Brothers and Neil Young, whose concerts he attended many times over the years. Cheryl will mostly miss Ken's enduring love, humor, and rock solid support of her career and educational aspirations, for without it she would not be where she is today.***
May 12, 2010 12:01 AM
Stockton, CA
Kenneth James Meeker
July 9, 1957 - May 8, 2010
Kenneth James Meeker, of Stockton, California. Ken died suddenly on May 8, 2010, at his home that was a great source of comfort during his courageous battle with a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by family. Ken was born on July 9, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was 52 years of age.
Ken, the rail fan: Ken was an avid fan of all things railroading for the past 48 years. Ken began his love of trains when his dad put him on a steam engine for a ride at the tender age of four. Ken spent countless hours hiking in and around railroad locations up and down to West Coast and British Columbia searching for that perfect train photo. In 1978, as a rail photographer and a Western Pacific employee, he was part of a small group of dedicated employees who convinced the railroad hierarchy to repaint one of the line's four remaining F-unit diesel locomotives to WP fan favorite silver and orange livery. The engine chosen was the WP913A. It delighted railfans and photographers of all ages as it traversed the route between San Jose and Stockton on a regular basis. The WP913A is now on permanent display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. To his railfanning buddies, he was known as the "Unofficial Mayor of Altamont" in recognition of the many days and nights he spent at Altamont taking pictures of trains. Ken was a published author and photographer whose articles and photographs appeared in many railfan magazines. At the time of his death, Ken was in progress of completing his first book, a color pictorial of the Western Pacific Railroad, a project of which he was immensely proud.
Ken, the business man: Ken, with his wife Cheryl, operated an antiques and collectibles business called, Roundhouse Hobbies and Antiques, specializing in railroad memorabilia.
The very much enjoyed traveling to railroad shows and searching for special finds in antique shops around the United States. Besides his love of railroad ephemera, he also liked advertising collectibles, especially those with soda or gasoline themes. Ken also was the Promoter of the annual Railroadiana Show and Sale known as Winterail that is held in Stockton each spring. He was quite proud of it being the West Coast's largest railroadiana show.
Ken, the employee: Until his illness caused an early retirement, Ken worked for various railroads, in many capacities. He served the Western Pacific Railroad as a clerk and dispatcher; the Union Pacific Railroad as a yard master and dispatcher; the Southern Pacific Railroad as a dispatcher; and most recently served as a transportation coordinator for the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE). He had the respect and admiration of all who worked with him.
Ken, the husband: Ken was married to his wife, Cheryl, for over 21 years. Together they enjoyed running their business, collecting antiques, photography, listening to rock and roll music, motoring on old Route 66, and most recently watching classic movies. His favorite movie was "Pride of the Yankees". Likewise, as a sportsfan, he was an avid New York Yankees fan. He delighted in telling the story of having attended an old timer's game where he got to see Mickey Mantle at the original Yankee Stadium when he was a young boy. His favorite football team was the Baltimore Colts, and he never quite got over their midnight departure to Indianapolis. Ken was especially fond of music of the Doobie Brothers and Neil Young, whose concerts he attended many times over the years. Cheryl will mostly miss Ken's enduring love, humor, and rock solid support of her career and educational aspirations, for without it she would not be where she is today.***
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Ken Meeker " Mayor of Altamont " |
Kyle | 05-12-2010 - 08:03 |