Thomas H. Irion

There may not be anyone who knew as much about trains as Tom Irion. Someone once said, "Tom has forgotten more about trains, than most experts have ever known about them in the first place." He had an incredible wealth of knowledge— more than could ever fit in a car barn. If you had the time to listen, he could tell one heck of a detailed story.

He grew up in a house that backed up to the railroad tracks in Sacramento, destined to be a part of that world. He spent time in LA, Walnut Creek, the Seattle area, and Santa Cruz, before landing in peaceful Toledo, OR.

In his long career, he did work with the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Sacramento Northern, BART, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Seattle's South Lake Union Streetcar project. He was a mentor and friend to many, and we hope to hear from the lives he touched on this page.