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Trains editor Jim Wrinn passes away

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Trains editor Jim Wrinn passes away
Posted by Steven Otte on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 4:27 PM

The entire Kalmbach family is devastated to report that Jim Wrinn, beloved longtime editor of Trains magazine, has passed away at age 61. 

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/jim-wrinn-led-trains-magazine-with-passion/

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 4:39 PM

A sad day for all train enthusiasts.

Condolences to his family and all those close to him.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 4:50 PM

That is, indeed, sad news.

We al take for granted the editors, writers, photographers, and all the behind-the-scenes personnel when we read magazines and other print media. That link, posted by Steve Otte, leads to a great tribute to Mr. Wrinn. His background, education and professional endeavors are impressive, to say the least.

My condolences to his personal family and to his Kalmbach family. He was way too young to leave us.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by moelarrycurly4 on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 4:51 PM

condolences to freinds and family.

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Posted by wrench567 on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 4:54 PM

  Truly sad when we lose someone so young. My sincere condolences to the family and to Kalmbach publishing company.

     Pete.

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Posted by York1 on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 5:31 PM

That's sad news, and my sympathy to his wife and to everyone at Kalmbach.

York1 John       

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Posted by Jimmy_Braum on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 6:48 PM

Condolences indeed.  What a huge loss to Kalmbach publishing, and his friends and family. 

(My Model Railroad, My Rules) 

These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway.  As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).  

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Posted by Pruitt on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 8:33 PM

Terrible news!

Condolences to all who knew him.

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 8:52 PM

Such a youngster too!

 

condolances.

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Posted by mlehman on Thursday, March 31, 2022 12:56 AM

Jim did a great job of managing publishing transition in  a time of great change. It's a big loss for Trains and Kalmbach. We can only wander what else Mr. Wrinn could have accomplished if he were with us longer. Condolences to Jim's family and friends and his colleagues at Kalmbach.

Mike Lehman

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, March 31, 2022 2:21 AM

My condolences to the Wrinn family and to the Kalmbach family as well...


 

 Santa_Fe_Jim by Edmund, on Flickr

Regards, Ed

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Posted by Medina1128 on Thursday, March 31, 2022 7:33 AM

A lot of the pioneers of the hobby are getting on in years. Hopefully, the current staff at the Kalmbach family will be around for years to come. Sincere condolences to Jim's family.

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, March 31, 2022 7:34 AM

Sorry to hear about your friend Steven, my condolences.

 

John

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Posted by JoeinPA on Thursday, March 31, 2022 7:34 AM

Sad news. Condolences to his family and all who knew him. It doesn't seem fair that he had to leave us so soon.

Joe

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Posted by Tin Can II on Thursday, March 31, 2022 8:12 AM

Terrible news.  I always wanted to meet him as his North Carolina roots intersected with my daughter's college choice; and I was able to railfan many of the places that he so eloquently wrote about.  A big loss for Kalmbach and Trains; my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and friends.

 

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, March 31, 2022 9:26 AM

Do not grieve for the dead.  Those that pass before us are in a better place.  However I grieve for those whom will not be graced by the presence of those gone.

They will always be with us in one form or another.

May he have fun driving the big trains in heaven.  

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

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Posted by dknelson on Thursday, March 31, 2022 10:50 AM

News of Jim's death from a sudden stroke is sad news indeed; not since perhaps Al Kalmbach himself had an editor of Trains been so "activist" in not just editing the magazine (which is work enough) but being a significant contributor of content, both articles and photographs.  His wife Cate had publicly informed our local NRHS Chapter of Jim's diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer and we knew during our Zoom meetings that he was subject to extreme fatigue.  He was really fighting with everything he had, not just editing Trains and doing local railfanning, but traveling for articles and events.  

Dave Nelson

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, March 31, 2022 11:16 AM

Condolences to the Wrinn family, and all of Jim's friends, as well as the Kalmbach staff. 
Jim Wrinn was the definition of a "class act" type guy, and will be missed by many.

Ricky W.

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Posted by selector on Friday, April 1, 2022 12:18 AM

I add my condolences to Mrs. Wrinn and all those who knew, respected, loved, and who relied on Jim Wrinn for anything.  It will be a very sad time for them.

Mr. Wrinn leaves behind a valued and capable team who are now motived and keen to carry on the legacies of Morgan and Wrinn.

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Posted by Pauley on Friday, April 1, 2022 1:17 PM

I've spent most of the last five years learning about trains and the model rr hobby, reading books, magazines, watching videos, etc. It's been a real education for me.

This is like losing one of my teachers.

Sad day.

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, April 1, 2022 3:32 PM

Very sad news.

My condolences to his family and friends

Paul

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Posted by dknelson on Thursday, April 28, 2022 10:20 AM

The Wisconsin Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) of which Jim was a member, and frequently attended our monthly meetings live or on Zoom, dedicated much of the May issue of its newsletter Sparks & Cinders to photos of Jim and memories.

202205_s-c.pdf (nrhswis.org)

http://www.nrhswis.org/images/newsletters/2022/202205_s-c.pdf

 

Dave Nelson

 

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