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:

 

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.

 

 

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...

Ed on Cumbres Pass with two things he loved: coal-fired narrow gauge steam locomotives and great music.

 

Ed Stabler & Earl Knoob in concert - Rusk, Texas - March 2013

 

"Festus J Frothjaw" - Russ Sperry & Ed Stabler

August 2010 - Chama, NM

 

Earl Knoob & Ed Stabler

Cumbres Pass, Colorado

August 2016

(Video by Larry Gibson)

 

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

 

 

Ed and Russ

 

Here are 6 photos that Ed shot during the opening the C&T.

He had the special honor of being the Night Hostler on 483 the evening before the very first day.

 

Ed's wildly popular "Fast Freight" CD of railroad songs

 

 

Marlene - Earl - Ed - Chase (I think)

 

The crew of RGS Motor #5 (the Goose)

Ed is at the far right, back.

Ed and I share a friendship with Larry Gibson (back row - center)

 

Ed chasing the train "up the hill" - near Lobato Trestle

 

Ed's truck & trailer in Chama

 

Earl Knoob & Ed singing a concert at the pavilion on Cumbres Pass

 

Jason - Ian - Steve - Ed - Ernie

Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Moonlight Train - September 2011