Highball Dave Miner, R.I.P.

[BurlingtonJohn]

Dave Miner, president of the Miner Manufacturing Company near Donnelson Iowa and president / founder of the Fort Madison, Farmington & Western tourist line passed away this past Saturday at his home near Donnelson after a yearlong battle with cancer.  He leaves behind his loving wife Carol, three children and a legion of friends.

It will be noted that Dave's inspiration was the driving force behind the creation of the "Minerville Country Village" as well as being the manufacturer of calliopes, Model T popcorn trucks and the restoration of vintage rail equipment, including several CB&Q pieces.  The FMF&W was laid on the abandoned right of way of a former Q branch.

I was privileged, no, honored,  to be a part of the FMF&W team through my good friend, the late Wayne Beever (retired CB&Q agent).  When I first ‘marked up' on the FMF&W in 2003, I was able to serve as a brakeman and later conductor on the train that featured an authentic wooden Q waycar.  For this Q fan, it just didn't get much better.

Given Dave's illness, the FMF&W didn't operate as usual last fall.  A ‘last run' was held this spring before the auction that saw the dispersal of the FMF&W collection, as well as items from Miner Manufacturing.  At the time, I commented to Doug Beckman, FMF&W ‘general manager' that we shouldn't ‘cry because it is over, but rejoice because it happened.'  As general manager, Doug did such a good job of coordinating our merry band of volunteers that Dave often said that he was going to double our salary of nothing!  Many of you midwestern railfans may remember visiting Minerville, riding the waycar and restored Q doodlebug 507.

Memorial services for Dave were held today in Keokuk, Iowa.  At the age of 47, Dave was taken from us far too early.

I know that Dave has marked up on the celestial Zephyr extra board; he will be deeply missed by those of us who were fortunate to spend a little time with him in this life.

Respectfully,
Burlington John
Volunteer Conductor
Fort Madison, Farmington & Western Railroad

[CANADIANPACIFIC2816]

I have always been a Burlington Route fan as well as a fan of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and it is indeed sad when we lose people like this when they are so young. BurlingtonJohn, I never knew Dave Miner, but thanks for passing this information on to the rest of us.

Ray Loftesness II

CANADIANPACIFIC2816

[muscatinetrolley]

I never met Mr. Miner, but I've been wanting to go see the Kenosha streetcars for several years, and learning of his death reinforces that wish. I regret I did not see his Minerville railroad either. I've read several articles, but I'd like to learn more about what made him tick. --Dan in Muscatine

[route_rock]

  Dave was a great guy.I got the honor of working there a long time ago. Virgil was the conductor of the doodlebug then. He would tell stories of the year in which the Doodlebug was built,How he had met his now wife and took her to a basketball game on their first date.Also how Marilyn Monroe was born the same year, and other tidbits. He was a Santa Fe conductor and had worked a doodlebug. Passengers were amazed at his stories of how they hauled anything and everything in them.Including Milk in cans.I will never forget in my overalls sweating like a hog and Mr Lindbergh ( Virgil) in full black conductor outfit with tie and coat looking like it was air conditioned outside.

  Doug works out of my terminal and he had told me how Dave was doing,but we rarely ran into each other so I knew this was coming but I was hoping that maybe Dave could beat this.HE was a true individual that marched to his own drum. He wasnt just about the train,He was about the history.Minerville was a magical place kinda like Silver Dollar City on a small scale lol. He had a sawmill,and a whole little town.I got to take a ride in a Stanely Steamer there. Help run the sawmill, and was hoping to help with the steam locomotive they had been working on.

  I was hoping to get down there again one day, but never got the time. So lads lift your glasses to Dave Miner! A truly wonderful individual who built Popcorn wagons and had a train in his front yard that all came from buying a hand car!!! He was a people person, once he flagged the doodlebug and handed up a large ugly piece of luggage, It had flowers and was hideous, and would always say it was "that guys andhe left it behind and No wonder why "LOL 

  Goodbye my friend,whenever I see a popcorn wagon or here a calliope may I always remember .FMF&W FOREEVER!!!!!!

[cnwfan51]

    I had heard that Dave had passed away just didnt realize he was so young   The Ackermans are wishing him a smooth ride and clear signals  Larry