Eugene (Gene) H. Blabey II, who founded several short lines during a 50-year railroading career, died on Sept. 2. He was 85.
Blabey was among the first railroaders inducted into the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame. “Gene was a legend in our industry and a leading voice on short line matters. We were honored to induct him into the inaugural Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame class in 2021. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said.
Blabey combined a career in journalism with shortline railroading, primarily in upstate New York. He became fascinated with short lines while a young reporter for United Press International. Blabey wrote about how local efforts to preserve railroad service led to the formation of the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad south of Rochester, N.Y.
Blabey invested in the railroad in 1964. He went on to develop short lines with partners Dave Beers and Tony Hannold, including the Ontario Eastern, the Ontario Central, the Maryland & Delaware Railroad, and the Virginia & Maryland Railroad. Blabey teamed up with Hannold in 1975 to create the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.
Blabey also raised the initial capital to form the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. He was chairman emeritus of the LAL and WNYP as well as board member emeritus of LAL subsidiary B&H Rail Corp.
“We are honored to work for a company that was built with vision and passion, and we are grateful for Mr. Blabey’s unwavering focus and commitment in driving the success of all our railroads,” the LAL executive team said in a statement. “His countless years dedicated to the railroad industry and more specifically the short line railroad industry will go unmatched.
“Gene’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at an early age. He was blessed to be able to turn his passion for railroading into his life’s work. Aside from his family, the LA&L, B&H, OMID and WNYP railroads were the most important things in his life,” the LAL executives said. “He was always grateful for the people in his life and those that helped him make his dream a success.”
Blabey passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family — including his wife of 59 years, Shirley; his son Eugene, Eugene’s wife Annie and their two children, Lauren and Tristan; his daughter Nancy, Nancy’s husband Chris and their two children, Logan and Brynn. Information on funeral arrangements was not immediately available.
I can thank Gene for cab rides and other railroad experiences. He also owned and operated upstate NY radio stations. A good man, of many talents, who will be missed.