JIM LARSON

Photo by Roger Schmorr

Jim observing the view from the observation lounge of GEORGIA 300
in the consist of the Arizona Limited, AAPRCO's 2005 convention special train.

Mr. James L. Larson, age 73, of Manassas, Virginia, passed away Tuesday morning September 2, 2008 at his residence.

Jim was a lifetime railroader, strating as a telgrapher for the Milwaukee Road and later holding various positions with the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. He joined Amtrak in 1973 and retired in 1998 as Assistant Vice President, Operations, specializng in contract negotiations. Jim served our association for many years as our Convention Trainmaster.

He leaves behind his wife Mary and two daughters, Mary Larson and Martha Larson, and Martha's husband Jason Grollman.

I am deeply saddened at our loss. We have truly lost a good friend and supporter. Jim was an integral part of the growth and operations of our association. Without his guidance throughout the years, we would not be where we are today. We will all miss him deeply and we will reflect for years to come on the wonderful memories of the good times we all had with Jim. Our hearts and prayers are with Mary and the girls at this time of their great loss.

Jack Heard

Collection of Bart & Jane Barton

Mary and Jim Larson are ready for dinner on the Fremont Dinner Train's
"MAPLE CREEK" at AAPRCO's 30th annual convention, September 2007.

Photo by Roger Schmorr

Bennet Levin and Jim Larson, two guys who really know what it takes to
plan and operate a special pasenger train, enjoy a laugh in the dome of
NORTHERN SKY during AAPRCO's 2007 convention.

Collection of Taylor Johnson

Jim Larson and his AAPRCO 2006 conventin special train team at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Taylor Johnson, Jim Larson, Roger Schmorr, Dana Sundberg and Mike Kelly.

Photo by Jack Deasy

Jim Larson (left) and Congressman Ron Kind (right) join David Hoffman (center)
onboard NORTHERN SKY at AAPRCO's 2006 Washington Reception.

Photo by Roger Schmorr

Jim and Mary Larson enjoy the view from the dome of NORTHERN SKY onboard
the Northern Arrow, a special train to Petoskey, Michigan in the summer of 2006.

Collection of Juniata Terminal Company

"This is just plain BS ... you can't see the tracks for the trees."

It is September 2, 1997 and Jim Larson has ordered the AAPRCO 1997 convention special train to halt at Northumberland, New Hampshire, due to the condition of the track on the New Hampshire & Vermont RR. Jim is about to annul the train, precluding its continuation to Whitefield and the connection with the Conway Scenic Railroad through Crawford Notch and on to the convention site at North Conway. The train then slowly backed the 5 miles to Groveton and continued east on the St. Lawrence and Atlantic to Gorham where a substitute convention location was established. Jim was really agitated because of the loss of the “cab miles” in his book of “Tall Tales and Records from the Head End”. He left the scene muttering something about elephants.