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Railroad photographer Wally Abbey dies
Worked with Wally at the Transportation TECHNOLOGY (not test) center. A fine gentleman. Lots of Sunday brunches together. He’ll be missed.
I met Wally at a Railroad corporate communications convention when I was new at the game with my background in operations and he was the helpful “old head”. We discovered we had a lot in common with our photography and our friendship with artist Gil Reid. It’s good to know his photography will be preserved, well cared for and shared.
I met Wally at a Soo convention in the early 00’s. One of my wedding photos is account of his classic line from the Little Jewel book; “Locomotives are to have your picture taken with.” Great man!
Wally was an original, a multi-talented communicator who knew how to tell the railroad story with verve, whether with camera or typewriter. And he was a generous and enthusiastic colleague and collaborator. We’ve already lost so many members of that wonderful generation of people who came of age in the pages of Trains in the 1950s. Losing Wally really stings.
I first met Wally at an NRHS meeting in the early 1970s, and at a tour of the Shoreham Soo LIne shops. He was a great guy, very down to earth. His book, “The Little Jewel” about the Soo LIne is a classic. It has a very unusual writing style that makes it a great read.
Wallace Abbey embodied the best in journalism: fair, balanced, yet enthusiastic; witness his affection for both the Soo and Milwaukee. While I disagreed with his characterization of the Soo as a “Little Jewel” thinking it more the stepchild of a deep-pockedted parent, the story itself gleamed with many facets.
It’s always sad to learn of the passing of an individual who has contributed so much to the railfan community.
Jim Sims
Madison, Alabama
This is the loss of one great fellow, a dear friend of 50 years. As a combined photographer and journalist, he had but one rival, Bill Middleton.
His middle years were just fine: he faced challenges with courage and imagination. His later years, plagued by complications of brain disorders, were most sad.
That his family got his collection of photographic images on to the CRPA is a dream. That work will support important research. Re-reading his TRAINS articles on that magazine’s CD, will remind one to appreciate informed intensity in railway reporting.
A real gentlemen. Never met him face to face but conversed several times via phone/email. “God Bless and High Green”, Wally; “High Green”!
His photos are apparently preserved. Is his long-discussed and nearly completed (?) FT manuscript entitled “In a Class by Themselves” in safe hands? Hope so, as I know it contains never-published material that should not be lost.
He photographed the transition years of the Santa Fe well.
Wally’s wife Martha was a close friend of my family. I first met Wally at a family gathering when I was a starry eyed teenage railfan in the 50’s. I still have an “original Wallace Abbey photo” that he took of the family group at Thanksgiving.
While we each went our separate ways I kept track of him over the years through his articles and photos. When an article would appear in Trains, I would proudly show my friends and tell them “I know this guy” . Rest in Peace, Wally!
Reading all your comments about Dad brings me much comfort and enjoyment. It was great to be raised around so many trains and railroad people and photographs. Dad was a great guy, smart, funny and talented. He was quite the musician, as well, right up until the end.
As Wally’s younger daughter, I echo my sister Mary’s comments and give thanks that Dad had such quality friends and followers. Growing up in a “railroad family” was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I proudly display the painted plaster model of his proposed paint scheme for the Soo that he crafted in our basement in Minneapolis in 1960. A trip to Shoreham was a weekend treat. And addressing Carl Byron’s comments, I have, safe and sound, the manuscript for “Class By Itself,” and the rest of Dad’s unpublished writings. I welcome professional railroading assistance on finishing and sharing his work, which we know he would have wanted. For those with suggestions and contacts, I’d love hearing from you at martha.a.miller@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for honoring our father.
As Wally’s younger daughter, I echo my sister Mary’s comments and give thanks that Dad had such quality friends and followers. Growing up in a “railroad family” was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I proudly display the painted plaster model of his proposed paint scheme for the Soo that he crafted in our basement in Minneapolis in 1960. A trip to Shoreham was a weekend treat. And addressing Carl Byron’s comments, I have, safe and sound, the manuscript for “Class By Itself,” and the rest of Dad’s unpublished writings. I welcome professional railroading assistance on finishing and sharing his work, which we know he would have wanted. For those with suggestions and contacts, I’d love hearing from you at martha.a.miller@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for honoring our father.
As Wally’s younger daughter, I echo my sister Mary’s comments and give thanks that Dad had such quality friends and followers. Growing up in a “railroad family” was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I proudly display the painted plaster model of his proposed paint scheme for the Soo that he crafted in our basement in Minneapolis in 1960. A trip to Shoreham was a weekend treat. And addressing Carl Byron’s comments, I have, safe and sound, the manuscript for “Class By Itself,” and the rest of Dad’s unpublished writings. I welcome professional railroading assistance on finishing and sharing his work, which we know he would have wanted. For those with suggestions and contacts, I’d love hearing from you at martha.a.miller@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for honoring our father.
As Wally’s younger daughter, I echo my sister Mary’s comments and give thanks that Dad had such quality friends and followers. Growing up in a “railroad family” was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I proudly display the painted plaster model of his proposed paint scheme for the Soo that he crafted in our basement in Minneapolis in 1960. A trip to Shoreham was a weekend treat. And addressing Carl Byron’s comments, I have, safe and sound, the manuscript for “Class By Itself,” and the rest of Dad’s unpublished writings. I welcome professional railroading assistance on finishing and sharing his work, which we know he would have wanted. For those with suggestions and contacts, I’d love hearing from you at martha.a.miller@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for honoring our father.