From The Crew

From The Crew
Richard L. Benjamin

Member since? December 15, 2008

What is my job? Yardmaster

Why am I part of the SLA #253? “I like old railroad history. The 253 is a great project to be a part of and I am more than glad to help fix her up to running condition. That will be truly a great day for all of us to getting her steamed up and running down the track.”

Art Muller

Member since? 2009

What is my job? Painting, electrical work, mechanical work whatever needs to be done

Why am I part of the SLA #253? I am a retired railroad worker and I want to be a steam locomotive engineer/fireman.

Glenn Benjamin

Member since? January 2009

What is my job? Welder Assistant Director of the Mechanical Department

Why am I part of the SLA #253? I got interested through my father. It is a fun project to work on and see history restored and resurrected. It’s like being a part of history. If people would save our history and heritage we would have more of it around. I enjoy rebuilding a full size steam engine. My grandfather was a conductor on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.

John Corzine

Member since? 2010

What is my job? Anything that needs to be done – computers, electrical, mechanical, carpentry. I am retired but my career was in process control computer systems of all kinds and sizes.

Why am I part of the #253? I like to work in the train/museum environment. Take something broken and fix it. Change messy to organized and solve problems.

Bobbie Corzine

Member since? 2010

What is my job? Volunteer in the Rochester area at libraries, used bookstores, and RR museums, I also love to quilt. I am a retired history teacher and have very good organizational skills and enjoy organizing.

Why am I part of the #253? I love trains. I am a member of the NY Museum of Transportation in Rochester, NY. We have trolleys under wire and also run diesels on our 2 mile track. I have worked in the gift shop and ticket sales for 20 years. I travel by RR whenever possible and have ridden train in Canada and US from the Atlantic to the Pacific and also in China. I feel it is important for each of us to give back to our communities and this is one way of helping others enjoy the history of railroading.

Jerry Petersen

Member since? 2009

What is my job? Crew member. Anything that needs to be done that I’m capable of doing.

Why am I part of the SLA #253? I love trains and I like being involved.

Eric Thiemann

Member since? January 2010

What is my job? I help in whatever area I am needed. I bring 30+ years of experience as a mechanic to the Association. I have also been involved in local community and government affairs as a Realtor for the last 10 years.

Why am I a part of the SLA #253? I am working with the Association as a Service Learning Project for the Honors Program at IRSC. I expect to remain a part of the SLA #253 after my service project is completed.

Name: CabooseMikey

Member since? joined when #253 came to Fort Pierce in June 2009

What is my job? Host and Tour Guide

Why am I part of the SLA#253?

Hi Friends, I'm caboose Mikey and I'm glad you are here. I've been asked to answer a simple question and I'd like to let you know why I want to be a part of the Steam Locomotive Association #253.
If you guessed that I grew up around trains and had family members who were railroaders, you'd be right.
If you guessed that I like the sights, sounds and smells of railroading, you'd be right again.
And too, I like to watch, photograph, scan the radio channels, follow the computer simulations, build and run the models, tour the rail facilities (with permission, of course) - you bet.
I love to ride the trains and climb aboard and about them. I love to make them work and show off their stuff.
I love the history that goes back generations before me and connects me with a different age.
I love planning so that the future doesn't lose sight of its fabled past.
Yes, Yes to all. But that doesn't include the true reason why I volunteer my time and energy to the SLA#253.
You see, the railroad industry and hobby is so big that no one person could ever possibly know all that there is about it. That means that there must be a network of people before any railroad can become viable.
And if you guessed PEOPLE, well, no doubt about it, you are right.
I admire the people who volunteer to help #253. All contribute to her well-being no matter what task, chore, position or office they do or hold. She can't make progress from the past to the present and into the future without the people who love her and her train set.
And I want to meet the people who've heard about this project and who want to know and see more. I especially want to meet the children and make sure they have a chance to get to know #253.
On behalf of all the members of Steam Locomotive Association #253, may I invite you to join us?

Tell 'em CabooseMikey sent ya!

Name Seth H. Bramson
Member since? Day one
What is my job? Company Historian, FEC Railway Company
Why am I part of the SLA #253? It is—seriously—part of me.

Name Ray Lanzi
Member since? 2004
What is my job? Banker by day. At the Museum, general maintenance working with Steve and the #253 crew in setting up and maintaining the RR Museum and restoring the #253
Why am I part of the SLA #253? I have been a friend of Steve’s for over 10 years. We both have shared together in the restoration of a 2ft Crown Steamer and many other Steam Loco projects. I am part of the SLA #235 crew because I feel that the #253 project is a valued historical project that needs to be preserved & restored. I also enjoy working with the dedicated crew who also has the vision in seeing this Locomotive & Museum become a reality in the "near" future.

Name Joshua Rowley
Member since? 08/15/09
What is my job? General Volunteer
Why am I part of the SLA #253? Steam Locomotives have shaped our heritage. From decades ago at Promontory, Utah when the last spike was driven to conclude the westward expansion of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific’s joint venture to construct a bridge to the West, locomotives have been a sign of expansion and progression of a nation. The locomotive single handedly pulled our nation into an age of aggressive advancement later referred to as the Industrial Age. These big beasts that fueled capitalism will forever be famed by movies and folklore, but their physical preservation will only be maintained if responsible historians standup, recognize their significance, and push for the refurbishment of these contributors to success. I have always been an admirer of steam locomotives and that is why I am a supporter of the Steam Locomotive Association #253. I will do what I can to preserve the 253’s history.

Name: Robert Brodie, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
(…but all my friends just call me Robert)
Member since: July 2009
What is my job?: Creating 3D color images of our SLA253 proposed buildings for downtown Ft. Pierce; maybe my role is best described as “Digital Trouble-Maker”
Why am I part of the SLA #253?
I have believed since 1990 (came to Florida in 1988) that we Floridians need to re-establish RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE along our state’s eastern coastline, to not only bring in tourist dollars but to also provide a fun and enjoyable way for both residents and visitors to visit all our beautiful coastal communities. In 1990 and 1999, I had the great honor of working with FEC’s Chief Engineer Bill Stokeley, PE (now retired) and later Amtrak Corporate’s Mr. Steven Haerter, to help make passenger service happen (but alas, all things political). However, when I suddenly realized this July that there were other people in Florida as crazy as I am (a very good thing!!!), I knew that this was a no-brainer and immediately joined in!

Name John Sexton
Member since? 2006
What is my job? Director, Member of Planning Committee, Asst. to the Vice President
Why am I part of the SLA #253? Due to my interest in trains and growing up in a train family (my dad worked for R.E.A. Express for 28 years) I was interested in the project from the time I first heard about it, from John Rude. When it was in the Miami area, I visited the sight several times, worked on the locomotive, met several of the crew members including Steve, and was instrumental in finding a new home in Fort Pierce. As a property owner in Fort Pierce and having gotten to know John Rude and Don Perkins; we worked to see if Fort Pierce could accommodate the operation and project. Fortunately, the City and Jon Ward were most supportive, understanding and welcoming. There are many other aspects of the operation that I am interested in, and hope that the collection, location and operation will expand now that it is moved to its new home. Most of all it needs to start to produce a revenue stream so it can succeed.