John Allen was born
100 years ago, in July of
1913. Here’s a tribute to
a man who influenced the
hobby’s beginnings greatly
in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
by Tom Hokel
T
he Pine Ridge Railroad
celebrated model rail-
roading great John
Whitby Allen’s 100th birthday
on July 2, 2013 by running a Gorre & Daphetid Railroad
“Centennial Train” pulled by GD No. 8 – the “Sgt. Ennis”
4-4-0 locomotive.
Prior to the eastbound excursion from Gorre to Great Divide
on the morning of July 2, 2013, banners reading “HAPPY 100th
JOHN !” were added to both sides of a GD caboose as the
crowd sang “Happy Birthday.” Even Emma, the No. 13 stego-
saurus, showed up!
My friend Dave Gorelle and I had fun putting all of this togeth-
er! Hope you enjoy the tribute photos and video.
John Allen Tribute - 1
John Allen
Centennial
Tribute
Photos by the Author
MRH-Aug 2013
