Obituaries: Marvin Cohen, Pete Reimer

Steam Directory editor, heritage rail pioneer Marvin Cohen

Marvin Cohen, editor of the Steam Directory from 1966 to 1989, passed away at home in Middletown, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2020, at age 93. Mark Smith, Cohen’s successor, credited Cohen with an “incalculable contribution” to the heritage rail industry by creating the “bible of the industry.” Kalmbach Media continues the legacy of his work with the Eighth Edition of the Tourist Trains Guidebook, using essentially the same format Cohen designed in 1966. In its early days, the book not only helped tourists find new locations to visit, but gave local heritage rail volunteers a sense of community where the could learn what their peers were doing throughout North America.

Cohen served as conductor of Empire State Railway Museum steam operations with 2-6-2 No. 103 in his native Middletown from 1962 to 1966, and, with good friend Steve Bogen, was instrumental in getting the Empire State equipment to Connecticut to start the Essex Steam Train in 1971. The Steam Directory Conference in Lancaster, Pa., in November 1970 was a key moment in the development of the heritage rail industry, and the Steam Directory provided financial help for the Empire State museum for many of its early years in Phoenicia, N.Y.  Cohen preserved many of the records at the core of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society Archives in Middletown, and his photos from the late 1940s through the early 1960s are featured in many books. — Steven Cohen

Pete Reimer, Black River & Western volunteer and historian

Pete Reimer of Lambertville, N.J., involved for 48 years with New Jersey’s Black River & Western and one of its most esteemed volunteers, died in early February at age 75. A brakeman and conductor in both passenger and freight service, he also served as the long-time curator of the non-profit Black River Railroad Historical Trust’s museum car at its Ringoes, N.J. headquarters. The railroad’s historian, Reimer knew about almost everything that ever happened on the Black River, and he generously shared that knowledge with everyone he met, especially the up-and-coming generation of young fans and volunteers.  At one time or another, he also served as the railroad’s stationmaster, manager of the passenger crew roster, and occasional Santa on the Christmas trains.  When the BR&W took over operation of the remnant of the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Belvidere-Delaware Division between Phillipsburg and Milford, New Jersey, he worked as one of the regular freight crewmen.

Reimer previously served in the U.S. Air Force, and after a brief stint with the Union Pacific in Wyoming he made his career in his home state with Bell Telephone, retiring as a line technician. In addition to a brother, a daughter, a son, a grandchild, and three great-grandchildren, Pete’s survivors include his wife, Norma; their marriage celebration in 1991 featured a special train on the Black River to Lambertville, the steam-hauled Wedding Bell Express. Black River Railroad System President Kean Burenga described the wedding train as “an epic event in railroad history,” and said Reimer “is as much a part of that history as anyone.” — Oren B. Helbok