We at Black Diamond Lines have been deeply blessed to have had the distinguished gentlemen below in our lives. Their passing was strongly felt and the mark they left on the club will never be forgotten. They were remarkable model railroaders and wonderful friends. Rest in Peace Tom, Steve, Johnny, and Garrett.
Tom Lutrel
BDL Club President 1946-2016 
Johnny Jackson
BDL Vice President/Youth Director 1961-2019 |
Stephen A. Ceballos
1950-2015 
Garrett Garnes
1971-2020 |
The Train of Life
Life is like a journey on a train...with its stations...
changes of routes...and accidents! At birth we boarded the train and met our parents,
and we believe they will always travel by our side.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train,
leaving us on this journey alone….but not quite.
As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant
i.e., our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.
Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.
Some will move to another car for a while and come back.
Others will go so unnoticed we don't realize they left their seats!
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy,
expectations, hurts, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers...
requiring that we give the best of ourselves because we are all on this ride together.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.
So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive,
and offer the best of who we are, including our seat if necessary.
It’s important because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty --
we should leave behind beautiful memories for those
who will continue to travel on the train of life without us.
I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life.
Reap success, give lots of love and be happy.
More importantly, be thankful for the journey!
Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!
Author Unknown
Life is like a journey on a train...with its stations...
changes of routes...and accidents! At birth we boarded the train and met our parents,
and we believe they will always travel by our side.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train,
leaving us on this journey alone….but not quite.
As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant
i.e., our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.
Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.
Some will move to another car for a while and come back.
Others will go so unnoticed we don't realize they left their seats!
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy,
expectations, hurts, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers...
requiring that we give the best of ourselves because we are all on this ride together.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.
So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive,
and offer the best of who we are, including our seat if necessary.
It’s important because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty --
we should leave behind beautiful memories for those
who will continue to travel on the train of life without us.
I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life.
Reap success, give lots of love and be happy.
More importantly, be thankful for the journey!
Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!
Author Unknown
