It is with great sorrow that we mourn the loss of one of our charter members, Mr. Marvin D. Tieken, Jr. He just celebrated his 62nd birthday when he passed from this world on October 13, 2008. He is survived by his sister and many friends.

Mr. Tieken retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad, and then was called back to work for the Union Pacific Railroad after the merger. Later, he was employed by Trans-Texas Rail Shops.

Marvin had a deep admiration for the railroad and the historical value of the railroad industry’s equipment. He was a member of the crew that converted the UP #844 from friction bearing to roller bearing trucks.

Marvin will be greatly missed by the members of SARHM. Not only for his sense of humor and great stories but for his vast knowledge of locomotives and troubleshooting skills.

Gone but, always remembered…

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED OCT 13 2018
FROM:  THE SARHM DISPATCHER
TO:  THE MARVIN D. TIEKEN SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAIN LINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

It is with great sorrow that we mourn the loss of one of our members, Mr. William R. Cantrel.  He was just 42 years old when he passed from this world on November 2, 2018.  He is survived by his Mother, Sister, Son, Daughter, and many friends.

Some of our members have been friends with Will A.K.A Bobby for 30 years.  He was a good-natured soul, and always had a smile on his face.  There were a couple of years when he stepped up and helped with the Holiday Lighting of SP794 and played Santa Claus.

We share in his family’s loss.  William will be missed but not forgotten.

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED NOV 02 2018 
FROM:  THE SARHM DISPATCHER
      TO:  THE WILLAM R. CANTREL SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAIN LINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

Tommy A. Shults, 86, of Flatonia, passed away peacefully at his home, Thursday, September 2, 2021. He was born November 24, 1934, to Tom and Mellinee Shults(Atwood).

He married his wife of 60 years Ysleta on September 23, 1960. Proud father of one daughter, Arlene(Tony) Shults-Rogers.

A 1954 graduate of Rockport High School. He attended the University of Houston and started his career with Urban Engineering in Corpus Christi Texas.

He later started his own company T&Y plan Service and Builders, where he designed and build numerous homes in Rockport and surrounding areas. His most notable design was The Rockport Band Shell.

As we all knew Tommy had a love for trains and was known around Flatonia and other parts of Texas as “Sidetrack Tommy” and the “Train Man”. His love of trains led him to dream of a train museum for Flatonia where he volunteered and also gave tours of the Flatonia Tower No. 3. He will be remembered for the covered platform photo pavilion west of Flatonia near the double interlocker.

Everyone was his friend and there was nothing he liked better than doing for his friends. One example was his development of the bi-annual ‘Pavilion Rail Party’. A day long extravaganza consisting of food, family, friends, fun and camaraderie. He was always there to welcome all with a smile and his face and a camera to memorialize the day.

His special bond with daughter, Arlene was recognized by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife; daughter; nephews, Glyn (Pam) Landrum and Linny Landrum.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father; mother; sisters, Joy Sue and Loyce; niece, Mellinee Landrum.

Pallbearers, Ken Stavinoha, Matt Balboa, Dave Nickson, Mike Erhlick, Bill Cook, Greg Kadlub, B.L. Miers, Tom Autry.

Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Rockport. Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2021, at Rockport Cemetery.

Tommy was very knowledgeable had great insight for railroad heritage and preservation, he was instrumental in assisting with the establishment of SARHM. He was inducted into our Membership as an Honorary Member

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED SEP 02 2021
FROM: THE SARHM DISPATCHER
TO: THE TOMMY A. SHULTS SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAINLINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

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Linda Gaunt, entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2022 at the age of 75. She was born on August 13, 1946 in Newton, Iowa to parents: Richard Lee Gaunt and Mary Elizabeth White.

Linda was a very intelligent and caring person. She attended Our Lady of the Lake University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree. Linda spent her career as a Librarian at Fort Bliss, Texas, retiring after almost 30 years of service.

In her spare time, she enjoyed cross-stitching, photography, painting and was an avid reader. Linda had a extensive collection of books and probably read every single one of them. She was a wealth of information on almost any topic. Every year Linda would cross-stich her Christmas cards and various gifts for family and friends, her work was beautiful.

Linda loved her mini dachshunds, she was the ultimate dog mom. She would make bacon daily just to give them fresh bacon treats.

She will be forever cherished and greatly missed by her family and close friends.

Linda is preceded in death by: her parents, and her brother William Lee Gaunt.

Her memories will be cherished and kept alive by her brother, James Lee Gaunt, and other close relatives.

Linda was a member of SARHM from 2008 to 2012 and served as Membership Coordinator on the Board of Directors. She was instrumental in getting our first documented Policies and Procedures in place and donated several books on the MoPac and the SP. Her contributions, knowledge, and wisdom will be forever remembered by those members of SARHM who knew her.

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED JAN 15 2022
FROM: THE SARHM DISPATCHER
TO: THE LINDA L. GAUNT SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAINLINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

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James Browning Akin, age 68, of Goliad, Texas passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. James was born on Friday, June 26, 1953. Jim was a strong proponent for the restoration of Texas steam locomotives, especially the SP 982. He was a member of SARHM for only nine months before his passing but he will be missed by those who met him.

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED SEP 08 2021
FROM: THE SARHM DISPATCHER
TO: THE JIM B. AKIN SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAINLINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

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Howard Lew Young, age 80, passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, in New Braunfels, Texas. He was born on October 13, 1942, in Los Angeles, California to parents, Sassa Reva and Avraham Mordechai Young.

As a young man, Howard studied Law at Los Angeles City College before joining the Army. He was a Vietnam-era U.S. Army Veteran, a member of the Kiwanis Club, and a volunteer at the New Braunfels Food Bank. Howard was also past president of the New Braunfels Train Museum. He was a member of the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum and served on the Board of Directors served in the roles of Treasurer and Member at Large. His passion was building scenery for Railroad modules; his pride and joy was his Circus Scene with over 5,000 miniature people.

SPECIAL TRACK WARRANT ISSUED NOV 09 2022
FROM: THE SARHM DISPATCHER
TO: THE HOWARD L. YOUNG SPECIAL

THE SIGNAL IS GREEN
THE MAINLINE TO HEAVEN IS YOURS
GOD’S SPEED

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