Dayton Railway Historical Society

Ted Vigodsky, the DRHS's informal correspondent for all things rail and transit in the South, did an interview with Bill Purdie.

Mr Purdie, who passed away in 2010, was a mainstay in the steam engine excursion program that the Southern Railway, and later the Norfolk Southern, operated for many years to the great delight of thousands of rail fans. Bill was the former Master Mechanic of Steam Engines for both of these railroads. Undoubtedly, without Bill's experience and devotion to steam, there would have never existed the scope of steam excursions that evolved from his dedication.

On September 30, 1985 the Southeastern Railway Museum of Duluth, Georgia was operating a steam fan trip, using Savannah & Atlanta #750, a beautifully restored Pacific engine. Mr Purdie, of course, was in the cab, firing and advising.

At that time, Mr Vigodsky, a reporter for radio station WGST (Newsradio Atlanta) was invited into the loco's cab to interview Bill. Fortunately, an audio recording of that live interview is available still today, preserved by Ted himself.

After 25 years, and after many years behind the mike at WGST, Ted established and hosts a website that he calls Atlanta Side Streets. Recently while perusing Atlanta Side Streets, Ted came across the Purdie in-cab interview. To make a long story short, we put the link up for all to enjoy on YouTube.

Railroad History of Dayton	Dave Oroszi and R Kirk Reynolds document, "The Railroad History of Dayton OH"
Photos	Selected steam and diesel photos from our members' collections
Bill Purdie Interview	Ted Vigodsky, the DRHS's informal correspondent for all things rail and transit in the South, did an interview with Bill Purdie. Mr Purdie, who passed away in 2010, was a mainstay in the steam engine excursion program that the Southern Railway, and later the Norfolk Southern, operated for many years to the great delight of thousands of rail fans. Bill was the former Master Mechanic of Steam Engines for both of these railroads. Undoubtedly, without Bill's experience and devotion to steam, there would have never existed the scope of steam excursions that evolved from his dedication. On September 30, 1985 the Southeastern Railway Museum of Duluth, Georgia was operating a steam fan trip, using Savannah & Atlanta #750, a beautifully restored Pacific engine. Mr Purdie, of course, was in the cab, firing and advising. At that time, Mr Vigodsky, a reporter for radio station WGST (Newsradio Atlanta) was invited into the loco's cab to interview Bill. Fortunately, an audio recording of that live interview is available still today, preserved by Ted himself. After 25 years, and after many years behind the mike at WGST, Ted established and hosts a website that he calls Atlanta Side Streets. Recently while perusing Atlanta Side Streets, Ted came across the Purdie in-cab interview. To make a long story short, we put the link up for all to enjoy on YouTube.