You may have to be a member to read this. It describes, with photos, when Rich Melvin explained the 765 to a blind youngster this past weekend.
Rich, you are truly a fine man.
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Nice story.
Bill,
This is a Great Post! Thank You!
To Rich Melvin and the 765 Group, I have said this before, Thank You for what you do!
Wasn't that something! There's more to a steam engine than meets the eye, indeed!
I couldn't agree more, what a wonderful thing to do.
Very, very nice.
One of the responses mentioned the "poor boy" who was the subject of this God-given moment in his life. I know the responder had the best of intentions in saying this, but it brought to mind this poem...
A Blind Child Speaks
I may not see the way you do
With eyes so bright and quick
But I know where flowers abound
And where the grass grows thick
I know if you are kinda little
I know if you are kinda little
And I know if you are tall
O I can see so many things
YOU may not see at all
I use my ears and hands for eyes
And make them see for me
I listen hard and gently touch
And thus it is I see
God must have a reason
God must have a reason
For making me like this
Perhaps He meant for me to see
What other people miss!
Copyright 1950 Barbara Bodine
But, Rich, this gets you a year's worth of 'Attaboys!'.....IMHO.
Perhaps the rules of the road prevent it, but I'm sure he'd have been thrilled to have pulled the whistle cord, felt the jostling sway of the cab at speed, listened to the hisses, clanks, rhythms of the working engine beneath his feet, felt the wind, the heat, absorbed all the smells....everything that every sense in your body...except sight...would give you. Those who are blessed with all your senses and the privilege to operate a steam engine such as this....sometime when you're riding in the cab and the moment is right, close your eyes and absorb the experience for a few moments with every OTHER sense.
My day is complete for having read/seen this thread.
KD
Great story Bill!!!
Great story!!!
One of the great reasons to have steam restoration, preservation and excursions. To educate, to entertain and to inspire! You may never know the effect you can have on some person's life.
Gentlemen,
If you have any apprehension about your beliefs in life and the Supreme Architect being the guiding hand in all things, you might want read & watch again Rich Melvin being used as one of Gods finest human beings.
Thank you Rich for everything you do.
PCRR/Dave
I never met Rich, or had any interactions with him. I do know some retired CSX Road Foremen, and all said, that he was a "Super Person", and that was good enough for me! 
Thanks for this post, this was kinda "tear jerker" , not unlike the little boy seeing his father passing by running a NS Locomotive, sometime back on the "real trains" part of this great forum................................................Brandy
Thank you! May God please bless the little boy and his family.
when you hear about the FWRHS, CLASS comes to mind.
Steamer,
Roger that!
PCRR/Dave
Made my day. Thanks for posting.
Great story... I applaud your efforts.
I can speak from experience on how resilient the kids are with disabilities, its the parents that the pain never goes away....
This was one of those special moments that happen in life every once in a while. This was not pre-arranged, it was totally impromptu. I happened to overhear the little boy say something about knowing he was next to the tender. It was a hot day and he must have felt the coolness of the water we had just put into it. I looked over and saw that he was blind. And suddenly I just wanted to help this little guy "see" the 765.
I asked his dad if it would be OK if I took him up close to the engine and let him touch a few parts of it. He said it was fine with him. For a few moments this little fella and I were in our own little world as I let him touch a driver, a driver spoke, the eccentric rod and the coupler. When he touched the driver spoke and I told him what it was, he said, "Wow! That's BIG!" I had no idea that pictures were being taken, but now that I see these shots, I am glad that Christopher shot these scenes.
After this event played out and the boy was headed back to the train, I got a little choked up myself. I have a very soft spot in my heart for kids that have been dealt a tough hand in life. This was an opportunity to help a little guy with a handicap enjoy life a tiny bit more. I am glad the Lord put me in the right place at the right time to do this. It was truly a special moment in my life and one I shall never forget.
This is one of the MANY reasons that we (The Fort Wayne RR Historical Society) do what we do. There is a lot more to sharing the 765 with the people of the country than just thundering down the rails making a lot of smoke and noise. It is often these special, small and quiet moments that have the most meaning and keep us all doing what we do.
Great job Rich!
Nice job Rich. Grasping the opportunity to help anyone with a disability always has rewards, either now or in the future. I am sure that the boy will remember that experience for life, as will his family and several in this forum.
My son had a disability and made friends with a local stock car race driver. After the next race he won he actually held up the trophy presentation to have my son brought down from the stands to be next to him during the photo shoot. My son never forgot that.
Reading this just made my day. Rich that boy will remember this for the rest of his life!!!
Spectacular Rich, incredibly moving.
Cool story.
This video is called.....
"Chasing the Nickel Plate 767 from Fort Wayne to Lafayette. Indiana"
From a drone & ground level, filmed this past weekend.
Gary ��
Rich you made that kid's day and I sure one day he will tell his children about the day he got to touch,and feel a live stea locomotive.
Nice video, Gary. Very steady drone stuff. What make and model drone do you use?
Rich,
You did good my friend.
Originally Posted by OGR Webmaster:
Nice video, Gary. Very steady drone stuff. What make and model drone do you use?
This was shot by a friend, using a DJI Drone.
Gary
• Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway
Just wonderful!
Peter
Rich,
Great story!! Well done!
Rich
What a great story
thanks for sharing
Excellent video, especially of 765 going across the bridge.
