On the way home Saturday afternoon from the Plano train show I stopped by Zacha Junction in Garland for the first time in over a year. A set of KCS belle’s was switching, and I took a photo from the side of the road. The engineer stopped the three GEVO’s and waved me over. In today’s world I braced myself for whatever. He asked me what I used my photos for and I told him for various magazines and for modeling. I asked him if he would like me to take his picture, and he said certainly, his family would love to have them. Since they were switching I did think I had time to go get my flash for fill, and quickly took this series so they could go back to work. I gave the engineer my card so he could email me and I would send him the photos in return. His name was Isaiah Bigler. I sent him the photos but had not heard back from him. Now I sadly know why when I read this post from friend Nathan Bailey to Railspot:
“It’s with a heavy heart I share this tragic news…
Shortly before 10am on Wednesday morning KCS lost one of their brothers in train service. Shannon Isaiah Bigler, 36, was killed in a one vehicle car accident on US 69 near Lone Oak. Authorities are reporting his vehicle hydroplaned and struck a tree. Earlier in the day he brought SHDA to Wylie from Shreveport. He leaves behind his wife and children, including one very young infant. His wife Nicole was a classmate of one of my brothers and was a member of my church. Please pray for comfort and peace for this sweet family, their relatives and friends, and his peers at KCS.”
I met a very nice man Saturday afternoon that I only will have ever known for a few minutes. Hindsight is the best sight, and I should have gone back to the car and gotten the flash unit in order to do a better job on these photos of Isaiah. I promised him in my email later that I would do a better job the next time. Now there will be no next time, but I am glad to at least have these to offer to his family.
































































