Ross Rowland Jr. was more than just a railroader—he was a dreamer who refused to let the golden age of steam fade into silence. His passion breathed life into giants of iron and fire that would otherwise have been forgotten, rusting away in rail yards or lost to the scrapyard. Through his vision and relentless advocacy, locomotives like the mighty Reading 2101 and C&O 614 thundered back to life, not as museum pieces, but as living, breathing reminders of America's industrial heart and pioneering spirit.

Rowland didn’t just preserve machines—he preserved memories, history, and the soul of a bygone era. His dedication gave generations the chance to hear the whistle echo through valleys, to feel the ground tremble beneath rolling steel, and to connect with the heritage that built a nation. His passing marks the end of a monumental chapter in railway preservation, but his legacy will forever steam ahead on the rails he helped restore.

May his spirit ride forever in the cab of every restored locomotive, pushing forward with the same fire and purpose that defined his remarkable life.

Highball to heaven sir