Wow! Of all the obituaries we knew some day would be published this by far is still a huge disappoint and weighs very heavy on the heart. There just isn't anyway one can get ready to celebrate the life of a legend. It was with extreme sadness that I finished reading the Obiturary of Chard Walker in the Trains January 2008 issue.
I had the pleasure of visiting Summit as a youth during Christmas break circa 1974. There wasn't much there: a couple signal lights on the Santa Fe crossovers and some singlewide mobile home and a bay window caboose on the SP line. I was 13 at the time and just read a story in the local San Bernardino paper about this "town" that once existed in the Cajon Pass. My family took a drive up to Cajon, turned right on highway 138 and found this area. Not a town could be found (memory doesn't recall a post office still standing either, but I was 13, wanting to see trains, not a post office!). Fast forward to 1987, I decided as an adult it was time to familiarize myself with Summit and watch some trains in action! There I am, parked at what some of us called 'The Summit Hangout' in the winter of 1987 and a car pulls up and stops. I don't recall the car, but the four occupants seemed quite friendly: two gentleman and two ladies, some years older than myself. We struck up a conversation and this gentlemal talked about raising his family "up there in those barren trees, just below the SP route." Turns out it was Mr. and Mrs. Walker, showing some of their good friends from Massachusettes where Summit really was and how desolate the area truly is! Mr. Walker later described his new book Cajon Rail Passage to the Pacific was out and I could pick up a copy at The Book Attic in San Bernardino. I picked up a copy of this book and spent many hours reviewing it. In May of 1987 I made contact with Mr. Walker and he invited me to his house and signed the book and answered my 100 plus questions! I've always wanted another opportunity to visit him and have him sign the original book I received as gift some years back.
His books, my memory of meeting him and having the distinct pleasure of him signing my book will be most cherished. Truly, a railroading legend, but also a most generous person, will be greatly missed by many friends, family and railfans!

Rest in Peace Chard!

Andy Z, Phelan CA