Remembering John R. Magnusson

John was born on June 7, 1954, in Corvallis, where he grew up. He graduated from Corvallis High School in 1972, enlisted in the Air Force, and later worked for tech companies. Upon retirement, volunteered at the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, Friends of SP 4449, and the Oregon Pacific Railroad working on the restoration and preservation of railroad cars and engines. John was one of four founding board members for Dynamic Rail Preservation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving railroad history for generations to come.

Here are some photos of work he's done over the years.

Removing Amtrak markings ahead of 231's first outing on the mainline.	Grinding away a problematic bolt inside 231's carbody.	JRM often volunteered as conductor for Oregon Pacific Railroad excursion trains.
JRM at the left helping set up for Springwater Trail Grand Opening event in 2003.	JRM (left) giving cab tours during grand opening of Springwater Trail event in 2003.	JRM stringing lights on SP 4449 for its first Holiday Express season in 2005.
JRM needlescaling paint off of locomotive 231.	JRM hammering spikes on the Oregon Pacific Railroad during Holiday Express 2005.	JRM made it into Trains Magazine with a joke about wrong soap used on 700's pony truck.
One of JRM's many contributions: improving interior of DLMX #5659 baggage car.	JRM operating the Brooklyn Roundhouse turntable during switching operations.	JRM and volunteer Glenn Newman preparing 231 for paint.
JRM volunteering at ORHF's Holiday Express event at Oaks Park station.	Holiday Express at Oaks Park station in SE Portland, Oregon.	JRM setting bearings on SP 4449 at Albany's Squarehouse.
JRM sanding and preparing 231 for paint.	JRM and fellow volunteer Harvey Rosener at Albany's Squarehouse.	JRM collecting tickets at ORHF's Holiday Express in SE Portland, Oregon.
JRM updating signage at ORHF's Holiday Express.	JRM and JJ.T. refreshing SP 4449's brake rigging at Albany's Squarehouse.	JRM lining up SP 4449's driving rods for installation at Albany Squarehouse.
JRM as car attendant on ORHF's Puget Sound Steam Special in 2007.	JRM wire-wheeling old paint off 231's radiator grills.	JRM interacting with guests at an open house event in Brooklyn Roundhouse.
JRM working on OR&N 197 steam locomotive.	JRM working on OR&N 197 steam locomotive.	JRM helping decorate SP 2955 observation car for Holiday Express.
JRM worked as director of ORHF's Holiday Express a number of years.	Working inside 231's carbody.	Working at Brooklyn Roundhouse.
JRM working on buffers for baggage car #5659 with JJ.T. and his father.	DynaRail founders Chris Fussell, Lance Gleich, and John Magnusson with 231.	JRM interacting with guests at Portland's National Train Day with SP 4449 at Union Station.
JRM working on car #5659 with Luke J. and Fraser O. at Brooklyn Yard.	JRM facilitating SP 4449 cab tours at Portland Union Station.	Chris Fussell and JRM working on OR&N 197 steam locomotive at Brooklyn Roundhouse.
JRM during a wintry Holiday Express at Oaks Park station.	JRM interacting with visitors during SP 4449's trip to Train Festival in 2009.	JRM working concession sales during SP 4449's trip to Train Festival in Whitefish, MT.
JRM raising funds for SP 4449 during its trip across Montana in 2009.	JRM taking a break on Milwaukee Road 261's dome car as it crosses North Dakota in 2009.	JRM selling concessions during SP 4449's trip through Staples, MN. in 2009.
JRM raising funds for SP 4449 at Train Festival, with Laura F. in Owosso, Michigan.	JRM helping out at another year of National Train Day at Portland Union Station.	JRM interacting with visitors at ORHF's grand opening celebration in 2012.
JRM giving guided tours at ORHF's Oregon Rail Heritage Center.	JRM and Ed I. at Portland Union Station's ticket booth for SP 4449's trip to Bend, Oregon.	JRM at DynaRail's movement of 231 and 644 as it leaves for Utah in 2014.
JRM at DynaRail's movement of 231 and 644 as it leaves for Utah in 2014.	JRM interacting with guests at Ogden Union Station's National Train Day event.	JRM working as conductor on the Oregon Pacific Railroad.
JRM working on passenger car buffers.	JRM at Union Pacific's Cheyenne steam shops.	JRM located a door sweep that would go on ORHF's refurbished roundhouse doors.
JRM repairing roof caulking at Ogden Union Station.	JRM working another trip on the Oregon Pacific Railroad.	JRM helping care for locomotives at Ogden Union Station.
JRM (right) and Steve J. helping with Big Boy #4014 move at Ogden Union Station.	JRM visiting Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, NV.	JRM working at Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, NV.
JRM and Daryl M. working on 231 at Nevada State Railroad Museum.	JRM and Daryl M. working on 231 at Nevada State Railroad Museum.	JRM working on 6976 at Nevada State Railroad Museum.
JRM working on 231 at Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City.	JRM working on 6976 at Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City.	JRM working on 6976 at Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City.
JRM received his conductor qualification on the Nevada Southern Railway.	On the first day he became a Nevada resident, he ended up in the hospital, and unfortunately wouldn't be able to continue his dream of restoring 231 and 6976 at NSRM. JRM made a generous contribution of over $367,000 to Nevada State Railroad Museum.	JRM's family and fellow volunteers gathered for his memorial at Boulder City station. He was interred at the Veterans' Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.
Locomotive 6976 led the JRM Memorial Train.	Locomotive 6976 on JRM's Memorial Train.	Locomotive 6976 on JRM's Memorial Train.
Locomotive 6976 on JRM's Memorial Train.	Locomotive 6976 on JRM's Memorial Train.	Locomotive 6976 on JRM's Memorial Train.