I just got word from a friend that Blackie Moser of Ephrata, WA has passed. Blackie was 82 and had spent most of his life as a railroader, booming when he had to. He worked on the B&O, SP, Alaska RR., Korean Rys while in the Army and mostly with the NP. He told me that they even loaned him out to a logging line whose name escapes me, for about a month where he ran a Willamette for them. In later years, he was involved with the operation up by Skagit, Wa with the 2-6-2 and also spent many years at Mt. Rainier Scenic Ry., also in WA. He was a pilot for 4449 at least once and ran the engine some.

Blackie had a unique way of telling stories and his own parlance to go along with it. It was a treat to listen to him. I feel honored that I was his fireman on 2-8-2T 17 out of Elbe, WA on his last day with the MRSR, July 3, 2005. We had ourselves a great day and I learned a few things from him.

A gentleman of the old school.