LANCASTER, S.C. — Long-time railroad executive Steve Gedney died Friday, the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association said in a statement.
Gedney began his transportation career with the Virginia Department of Transportation. While working with VDOT he was involved in long-range transportation planning, transportation systems management and the coordination of air, highway, port and rail facilities.
During the 1980s he became Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Shore Railroad. During that same time period, he was made Chairman of the local Economic Development Commission and was chosen Economic Developer of the Year for the Tidewater Region by the Virginia Department of Commerce in 1989.
In 1990, Gedney became president of the Lancaster & Chester Railway based in Lancaster, S.C. He served in this capacity under both the Springs Company’s and Gulf & Ohio Railway’s ownership of the LC until his retirement from consultation earlier this year.
Gedney was a past board member of the American Railway Development Association, the former American Railroad Engineering Association, the South Carolina Economic Development Association, and the Southern Economic Development Council. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Chester Development Association, Board member of the Lancaster County Economic Development Commission, and Vice Chairman of the SC Association of Railroads.
He was also one of the longest serving members on the Board of Directors of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and also served as a member of the Legislative Policy Committee for the organization.
He served the short line community through his service on both the NS and CSX caucus committees and was a loyal and stalwart champion of the industry.
“Steve Gedney thoroughly understood the value of service to customers of a short line,” said Pete Claussen, Chairman of Gulf & Ohio Railways. “While the Springs Company built the Lancaster & Chester the first time, it can truly be said that Steve built it the second time.”
“Steve was a major figure in the short line industry,” added ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. “Just sharing memories this morning, one fellow railroader referred to him as ‘Mr. South Carolina’, another recalled how Steve would always arrange a birthday dinner for him when his birthday fell during a Regional Meeting. Another fondly reminisced about sitting with him at Norfolk Southern caucus meetings and having deep-dive discussions on the industry. The truth is that associations like the ASLRRA can only thrive with the constant and varied contributions of people like Steve – he gave his time and energy constantly and shared his love of the industry and its people freely. He was one of the reasons why this industry is so enjoyable to participate in. He will be missed greatly, but we are also all blessed to have the Gedney family remaining very active in our industry through the contributions of his son, Matt, who serves as Chief Business Development Officer for the Gulf & Ohio and as the VP of Industrial Development for the L&C.”
A small service will be held on Monday, November 25 in Fort Lawn, SC. In lieu of flowers, the Gedney family has requested that donations be made in his honor to the prostate cancer research foundation at https://donate.prostatecancer.foundation/.
Gedney began his transportation career with the Virginia Department of Transportation. While working with VDOT he was involved in long-range transportation planning, transportation systems management and the coordination of air, highway, port and rail facilities.
During the 1980s he became Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Shore Railroad. During that same time period, he was made Chairman of the local Economic Development Commission and was chosen Economic Developer of the Year for the Tidewater Region by the Virginia Department of Commerce in 1989.
In 1990, Gedney became president of the Lancaster & Chester Railway based in Lancaster, S.C. He served in this capacity under both the Springs Company’s and Gulf & Ohio Railway’s ownership of the LC until his retirement from consultation earlier this year.
Gedney was a past board member of the American Railway Development Association, the former American Railroad Engineering Association, the South Carolina Economic Development Association, and the Southern Economic Development Council. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Chester Development Association, Board member of the Lancaster County Economic Development Commission, and Vice Chairman of the SC Association of Railroads.
He was also one of the longest serving members on the Board of Directors of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and also served as a member of the Legislative Policy Committee for the organization.
He served the short line community through his service on both the NS and CSX caucus committees and was a loyal and stalwart champion of the industry.
“Steve Gedney thoroughly understood the value of service to customers of a short line,” said Pete Claussen, Chairman of Gulf & Ohio Railways. “While the Springs Company built the Lancaster & Chester the first time, it can truly be said that Steve built it the second time.”
“Steve was a major figure in the short line industry,” added ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. “Just sharing memories this morning, one fellow railroader referred to him as ‘Mr. South Carolina’, another recalled how Steve would always arrange a birthday dinner for him when his birthday fell during a Regional Meeting. Another fondly reminisced about sitting with him at Norfolk Southern caucus meetings and having deep-dive discussions on the industry. The truth is that associations like the ASLRRA can only thrive with the constant and varied contributions of people like Steve – he gave his time and energy constantly and shared his love of the industry and its people freely. He was one of the reasons why this industry is so enjoyable to participate in. He will be missed greatly, but we are also all blessed to have the Gedney family remaining very active in our industry through the contributions of his son, Matt, who serves as Chief Business Development Officer for the Gulf & Ohio and as the VP of Industrial Development for the L&C.”
A small service will be held on Monday, November 25 in Fort Lawn, SC. In lieu of flowers, the Gedney family has requested that donations be made in his honor to the prostate cancer research foundation at https://donate.prostatecancer.foundation/.
