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The
2014 TSR Documentary and the
TSR
Map are dedicated to the memory of
Ed Stabler
My Thanks to Russ Sperry and Larry
Gibson for several of the photos here
Ed was my friend and I miss him. We met on the
Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum around
2009 and met in person aboard
RGS Motor #5 in 2010. Over the years we
traded emails and chatted on the phone about all things narrow gauge.
Both of us being musicians gave us many additional topics to discuss.
He, of course, was far more accomplished as a writer/musician than I am
or ever will be, but he was always interested in
my little corner of the music world.
Though it was cut tragically short, Ed lived an
incredible life. He served in the Navy, was a Sheriff, a steam
locomotive Engineer, radio DJ, accomplished and published singer/song
writer, rancher, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, TV
newsman/weatherman, and he even owned a liquor store for a while.
My favorite story about Ed is his involvement with
the saving of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Here is that story
in Ed's own words:
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I was invited to assist the late C.
M. "Bud” Edmonds with making audio recordings the first
movements of equipment on what had become the C&TS on 1 Sept.
1970. Bud was a member of the Colorado State Legislature, and
had worked with Clarence Quinlan to establish the Colorado
Railroad Authority. He was also the former owner of KCMS-AM/FM
in Manitou Springs, and a very experienced audio recording
engineer.
We arrived in Alamosa in time to
chase the D&RGW standard gauge diesel pulling the first
increment of narrow gauge equipment to Antonito to turn over to
the C&TS. As soon as the narrow gauge train had been pushed onto
C&TS track, people seemed to appear out of nowhere. A fire was
lit in 483’s firebox, and Ernie Robart began painting out the
flying Rio Grande on 483’s tender so he could apply the first
C&TS logo.
I backed my pickup close up to
483’s gangway and began setting up equipment to record the
sounds being made in the cab. Ben Greathouse was holding forth
in the cab, supervising the steam up and willingly answering
questions from me and many others. Much of that afternoon and
evening’s conversation later became much of Vol VI of a seven
volume set of LP records entitled “The Rattle and the Roar”. The
records are, unfortunately, long out of print, but occasionally
show up on the used market.
About nine o’clock that evening,
enough steam pressure was raised to blow 483’s whistle. It was
really happening after more than a year of no narrow gauge
activity! What came to be called "The Longest Night" was
over. Life returned to the narrow gauge.
I
had been working weekends as a relief engineer on the Cripple
Creek & Victor 2-footer and got volunteered to be the overnight
engine watchman on 483. It was quite a thrill for me to be able
to throw the occasional few scoops of coal on the fire, and run
some water into the boiler now and then.
Many of the volunteers spent the night in various boxcars and
reefer in the train. I wonder if anyone got a decent night’s
sleep. Be that as it may, I woke everybody up at six AM with a
long blast of 483’s whistle.
Later that morning, 2 September, 1970, with two shorts blown on
the whistle, 483 attempted to pull the train toward Chama. No
such luck. The rails were rusty, and the track had a lot of
weeds growing in it which made traction impossible. The rear of
the train was cut off behind 492 which was being hauled dead.
483 managed to get that much moving and we made it to Lava Tank
where we took on water and left several freight cars and 492 in
the track that connects the upper and lower main line to form
the loop at Lava.
Pulling our rider (pipe) gon and pushing two DBGs full of
ballast, we made it to Big Horn close to sundown, Then backed
all the way to Antonito and tied up for the night. I think
everyone on the train was bone tired, but we got a start on
things.
When I look at the C&TS today and see the many improvements over
the years, I’m thankful for people like Clarennce Quinlan, Bud
Edmonds, Terry Ross, Ernie Robart and many others who believed
enough in the railroad to keep it going. I’m honored to have
been there.
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In addition to our shared narrow gauge interests,
military background and political views, we also shared a love for the
Texas State Railroad. That interest and our friendship led to a
collaboration on a documentary project I was asked to do in 2012. I
handled all the video, photography, and editing work. Initially I also
considered writing the music. But, with my plate full and a baby on the
way, I asked Ed if he'd like to donate some of his wonderful cowboy
music to the project. He agreed, but insisted on writing an original
piece and donating it. Of course I gladly accepted his generous offer.
In the end, I used the piece he wrote ("East Texas Train") along with
his arrangement/performance of "Freight Train" by Elizabeth Cotton and
nothing else. I didn't need anything else. Those two pieces were
absolutely perfect!
As things were progressing, he asked how I intended
to do the narration for the documentary. I replied that I was using
on-screen text. He didn't like this one bit and offered to narrate for
me. Once again I whole-heartedly accepted his gracious offer. Ed's voice
is... well... it's PERFECT for this type of project. He's got an old
southern charm and twang that only come with age, wisdom, and a LOT of
experience. His generosity raised the production value of this
video FAR beyond what I ever could've accomplished on my own.
We met in Rusk on March 14, 2014 to record the
narration and the opening/closing videos for the documentary. Here is my
Trip Report from that weekend. The
highlight for me was sitting in Earl's office during a thunderstorm and
watching the train depart. It was a special moment and I could tell that
Ed appreciated it as much as I did. As it turned out, this was last time
I got to spend with Ed, in person.
We planned a debut movie watching party for April
18, 2014 in the small theatre in the Rusk Depot. Earl (TSR General
Manager) organized a chili pot luck dinner to coincide and Ed made plans
to drive over from San Angelo. By all accounts, it should have been a
fantastic evening. However, my son... that was due to arrive 4 weeks
later... made a very early and completely unexpected arrival on the
17th. This squashed the party. In fact, my wife and I spent the next 4
weeks in the NICU! But, that's another story...
I kept my family and lots of close friends informed
about the developments with my son during that time. Ed often sent back
words of encouragement. And, every time we spoke after that period, he
always asked about Michele and Noah by name. That meant a lot to me.
On January 16, 2017, I emailed Ed to show him a new
website I'd just created for the Red River & Gulf Railroad (another
shared interest.). He replied the next day that he'd review it more
thoroughly in a few days after a routine surgery he was having. He asked
me to call him on 19th during his recovery. I did, but didn't get an
answer. A few more calls didn't get through either. On February 1st, his
daughter, Janine, responded to an email I'd sent Ed the previous week
with the sad news of his passing.
I've lost friends and family before, but the loss of
Ed really hit me hard. It was so unexpected.... so untimely.
At the time of this writing, it's been 18 months
since Ed died and I still wrestle with it. That's why it's taken me so
long to compose this report. I just didn't know what to say.
In the Naval Services we say: "Fair Winds &
Following Seas."
In the railroad world we say: "High Greens" or
"Clear Tracks Ahead."
Farewell my friend...
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Edward
"Ed" Bowne Stabler
San Angelo, Texas
"The Leavin of Texas"
Ed was born in Macon, Georgia on July 26, 1942 to Robert "Doc"
M. Stabler & Sarah "Sally" (Hamilton) Stabler. He passed on Jan.
26, 2017 after a brief illness with pancreatitis following
surgery at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
Ed's rich history began in the Navy communications division; he
had the fortune to be assigned to an open schooner in Hawaii. As
he moved from service life to civilian life he chose to stay in
the communication genera. However, he was a
newscaster-weatherman, steam locomotive engineer, liquor store
owner, Moffat County Colorado deputy, part time rancher/horse
owner/breeder/trainer but always came back to his passion for
music performing arts. He, along with his wife Mary traveled to
many Cowboy poetry gatherings. Ed was a member of the Western
Music Association and a past member of the WMA Board of
Directors. His passion for firearms was almost as great as his
passion of and for music as he was a life member of the NRA.
It was amazing to watch Ed learn a new instrument, song or style
of playing. From Old Country, Jazz, Hawaiian Slack Key, to
Classical. For the past couple of years he spent every Thursday
night at Back Beat Music Co. mentoring the youth as well as
learning from them. He was a regular participant and performer
at the Chicken Farm Art Center, Saturdays and Second Thursday
concerts. Through his connection with The San Angelo Symphony he
performed throughout West Texas in assisted living retirement
communities and nursing facilities. He also performed in local
venues regularly and worked as an in demand recording session
musician.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary and his parents. He
leaves a son Daniel, daughter Janine (Rowdy) Stehle-Doehling,
granddaughter Lindsey (Matthew) Stehle-Doehling and soon to be
born Great Grandson Timber.
The will be a small Memorial Gathering of Friends at Back Beat
Music Co., 102 N. Chadbourne St. on Thursday, Feb 2, 2017 at 7
p.m. and a larger Memorial Gathering of Friends at the Chicken
Farm Art Center. 2505 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. San Angelo
Saturday, Feb 4, 2017 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
In Lieu of flowers, his family asks that you send a monetary
donation to the Western Music Association for their youth
scholarship fund, P.O. Box 648, Coppell, TX 75019 or to the
Yampa Valley Friends of the NRA, P.O. Box 1504 Craig, Colorado
81626 as they are supporters of the Moffat County 4-H Shooting
Sports.
There is not enough room as he was also a Composer, Player,
Friend and Companion. To say he will be greatly missed is truly
an understatement and as a close friend stated. "He played
guitar for Roy Rogers for cryin out loud!"
"It's not the leaving of Texas that's grieving me, But my
darling that I'm bound to leave behind."
Published in
GoSanAngelo on Feb. 2, 2017
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