One of the premier railroad documentarians of all-time has passed, as Greg Scholl now moves on to document the big railroad in the sky.
Born on New Year’s Eve, 1950, he was able to witness the last years of steam on the Norfolk and Western, the first exposure to what he would become known for, with his videos of steam locomotives becoming some of the best known railfan works ever produced.
For the author, the most notable work of Scholl’s career was “614 Coal Trains“, showcasing the former Chesapeake and Ohio 4-8-4 on home rails testing for the ACE 3000 Project, with the West Virginia winter providing an unforgettable backdrop as steam returned to the freight trains of America, if only for a month.
It wasn’t just steam for Greg though, you name it and he probably filmed it. From the old C&O to the Southern Pacific, from the Rockies to New England and everything in between. He even ventured to China, Germany, and South Africa to document the iron horse at work. His catalogue included more than 250 titles.
The railfan world lost a giant. It is up to us now to continue his legacy by continuing to document the railroading of today, for one day the videos and pictures we take will be viewed in much the same way Greg’s pieces are now, as windows in to what railroading once was. We can only hope our works stand the test of time as his have.
Rest in peace, Greg Scholl.