Trains editor Jim Wrinn passes away

[Ajsik]

I had the opportunity to meet Jim in 2017 when I attended the Trains gathering at Metra headquarters discussing their special Chicago issue.  Although our chat was short, he recognized me following the event, joining me in both the waiting area of CUS and for the Hiawatha ride back to Milwaukee.  Although I assumed these brief encounters would be quickly forgotten, a couple of months later, Jim reached out to me through Facebook with a couple of questions regarding a local cycling group I mentioned during our ride.

 

For those of us fortunate enough to be connected with Jim, his progress and setbacks with his health issues were well chronicled.  As you’d expect, these posts were written with the same optimism and sense of humor we’ve all come to expect from him.

 

Here's to an eternity of Green over Red with Jim at the throttle.

[Paul of Covington]

  Erik, I felt the same way last night when I read it.

[Erik_Mag]

Just got the latest issue and it was bittersweet reading Jim's column at the beginnig of the issue.

[Psychot]

Rest in peace, fellow Tar Heel.

[csxns]

Saw him several times at the Gastonia NC Southern Railway depot when the Crecent Limited had a stop their and at the Spencer shops in Spencer NC .He will be missed.

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Wrinn.  I had the pleasure of a few phone conversations with him and always enjoyed the enthusiasm he brought to Trains.  He will be missed.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[spsffan]

Sad news for sure. 

Highball! Jim. 

[daveklepper]

Very sad day.  A fine person, a fair and good editor.  Remorse.

Somehow, I wish I'd known about his illness.  I would have certainly prayed for his total recovery and  asked him to pass on to his doctors what I did, with the help of my doctors, to recover from a form of cancer.  (And what I should continue to do to prevent its return.)

It might have helped.  At least I would have had the opportuunity to try.

My sincerest best wishes for his family and close associates.

[diningcar]

Jim wrote with a panache of all things train related. While we go on it will be with the many things Jim gave us. 

[Convicted One]

He certainly brought an air of integrity and respectability to the magazine at a time where it was in need.  Condolences to survivors suffering the loss 

[Chad x Thomas]

samfp1943

Sad news and his passing leaves a gap in our hobby world that will be hard to fill.  Truly, he will be missed.. God rest his soul.  R.I.P. Jim Wrinn.   

 

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. God bless...

[Flintlock76]

Oh my dear God.

I'm so, so sorry to hear this.  Mr. Jim was a true gentleman of the old school and a fine writer as well.  His enthusiasm for his subjects was infectious and entertaining and had a way of making you just as enthusiatic without your even realizing it. 

What a loss.  What a tragic loss. 

My sincere sympathies to Mrs. Wrinn and the whole Kalmbach family. 

The "Night Train" came for Jim Wrinn much too soon!

I wish I had more words of comfort for you all.

[CMStPnP]

I saw the obituary elsewhere and I was surprised as it seemed he just joined TRAINS not too long ago.   R-I-P, Mr Wrinn.

[Lithonia Operator]

Shocking news. My condolences to his family and friends. A sad loss and a big hole to fill. RIP, train man.

[[e-mail]]

Walter Rich President of the New York Susquhanna and Western also passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2007 at age 61...still no cure for this as I have lose 5 folks from this form of Cancer

[blhanel]

I got to meet him a few years ago at Rochelle when he and another staffer were displaying previews of proposed front page banners in the RR park pavilion.  Super nice guy.  Very sad to see he has passed.

[54light15]

A sad day- he will be missed. My condolences. 

[Enzoamps]

Sad news to hear.

[BaltACD]

My sincerest sympathies - 61 is way too young.

[Ulrich]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I've been a reader of Trains since 1973, and Jim did great things with the Magazine...i especially enjoyed his articles on steam. He will be a tough act to follow. 

[Michael Vomvolakis]

Rest in Peace Mr. Wrinn. He and his magazine were a big inspiration to me.

[NP Eddie]

What a great man!! 61 is too young.  God's Blessings on all who mourn.

 

Ed Burns

[kgbw49]

The Jim Wrinn Express, with Hogger Jim Wrinn at the throttle, pulled in to Heaven Union Station ahead of schedule.

As Wrinn climbed down from the cab with his grip in hand, Station Master St. Peter slapped him on the back and said "Well done, Wrinn! You got everything and more out of that locomotive on your run! The Boss is going to be smiling tonight!"

Godspeed, Jim Wrinn. You have blessed countless lives. Godspeed.

[greyhounds]

I never really know what to say about things such as this.

 

This is terrible news.  I disagreed with Jim Wrinn on frequent occasions.  But that’s just part of life. 

 

Disagreeing does not, in any way, reduce my profound sadness that he died at such a relatively young age.

 

Rest in Peace with God Jim Wrinn. 

[samfp1943]

Sad news and his passing leaves a gap in our hobby world that will be hard to fill.  Truly, he will be missed.. God rest his soul.  R.I.P. Jim Wrinn.   

[tree68]

He certainly didn't show it from his activities.  A sad loss to the rail community.

My sincerest condolences.

[charlie hebdo]

Steven Otte

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

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

 

It's a sad day for all. We will miss him.

[JayBee]

That is very surprising you and everyone at Trains Magazine have my prayers and are in my thoughts.

[Steven Otte]

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

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