Garden Railroading: Remembering Ken

Remembering Ken Brunt

It was with great sadness that we received the news that Ken passed away on December 20th of this week.

This image taken during one of our "Invasion of Friends" weekends where our American friends invade us up here in Canada for some great train running sessions is quite fitting.

You see...Ken was born on July 1st 1950. He shares a birthday with our country of Canada! Steve in back gets a chuckle out of Ken who shows off his "high end" train shirt!

Terry sent us this photo to us from his home across the Atlantic. It shows Ken working the wye in Craig Leigh.

You can enlarge the images by clicking on the them. You can return to the default look of the page by clicking outside them.

Ken's smile tells it all...he enjoyed life and lived his to the fullest as this image from the Finger Lakes club in New York attests.

He was a great ambassador to this wonderful hobby of ours always willing to take time to listen to a story, to tell a story or to share experiences with others no matter their age.

I was only into the hobby of large scale train running a short while when I first met Ken back in 2014. I crewed with him during one of our invasion operating sessions. If I recall correctly we ran a yard, perhaps Nelson Yard or maybe Douglas Yard in Craig Leigh as pictured above. Ken was very patient with this "newby" and kept him very much entertained.

Doug is pictured enjoying a chat with Ken in this image Bernie had taken when a group went down to Ken's place to run trains one time.

Doug tells us that Ken was a special person and a good friend.

Doug goes on to say that Ken attended every "Invasion" held up here in Ottawa.

Henk, pictured above with Ken was the same age as him.

Henk appreciated the laughter shared among Ken and friends.

Henk also appreciated the deep political discussions held trackside!

I was always impressed with how Ken was willing to take on any task during our operating sessions including the challenges found in working the expansive Nelson Yard.

See what I mean about shared humour as the expressions on all faces hold true to the fact!

Lunch is either on the way or has been finished during one of our invasion sessions. This reminds Doug of an incident that occurred while he visited Ken's place down in the states. Let's hear the story directly from Doug! "Years ago, Paul Norton, Ralph Dippel and myself visited Ken at home during one of our forays to the East Coast Large Scale Train Show. Ken (and his wife Beverly) served us meat ball sandwiches. I left my sandwich on a plate on the table while I was getting a drink. Ken had a huge dog and with my back turned that dog woofed down my sandwich!"

Doug also tells us that Ken was a veteran of the war in Viet Nam. .. he was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart.

In the last several years, Ken learned about the Purple Heart celebrations each year in Branson MO and at least twice if not more he made the trip to Missouri.

At these meets he enjoyed the camaraderie he found with his fellow veterans very much.

Doug tells us another story. "Several years ago on the Sunday after the Invasion, Ken, plus Ric and Jan Golding and Barb and I went over to Merrickville. Ken took an interest in the manual operation of the Rideau Canal locks."

"Ken was invited by one of the young guys serving as a lock attendant to help him crank up the lock gate."

"Ken’s picture was taken and on my only other visit to Ken’s home a few years ago, Ken had that picture to proudly show."

These four images you have just seen were taken by Mike many years later. We don't have a copy of the image with Ken in it.

Doug finishes off indicating, "The invasions will never be the same without him. Ken will be deeply missed by all."

Back to this fun image of Ken. Steve (running the train behind Ken) offers up these fine words. "So sad to hear this news, had some great discussions with Ken over the years and travelled down to his home in Pennsylvania with Bernie and Doug to run on his layout."

Steve echoes Doug's story..."Ken was a Vietnam vet who didn’t talk much about his experiences but one story he told us was how he was awarded his purple heart. Ken told us he had never considered himself a Vietnam veteran because he only served in country for a few short weeks."

Steve continues..."After basic he was shipped out to join the 4^th Division in Da Nang. On arrival he discovered that his division had been shipped back state side , typical snafu. So for a number of weeks he sat around with nothing to do until one day he found himself heading out into the jungle with a group of guys none of which he knew."

"Suddenly the APC he was aboard was hit by rocket fire and he found himself on the ground injured. The guy beside him had lost both his legs. So he found himself back in the states recovering from his wounds."

His story wasn’t like the band of brothers...he didn’t know the name of any of the guys killed or injured that day and for 30 years never talked about it, until one day he got a call out of the blue. It turned out to be the guy who was next to him and had lost his legs. They got together in Las Vegas with others from that day, the first time he felt he really was part of it."

Thanks so much for these amazing stories of Ken, Steve!

Gaetan and Nicole send along this message. "This is like receiving a hammer in the face! Nicole and me are very sad of this news as we were always anticipating our meetings with Ken."

Gaetan and Nicole go on to say, "What a character he was..."

"...with his "Sam Elliot's voice..."

"...and his lonesome cowboy manners..."

"This is very, very sad news."

"In the meantime, enjoy life like it is your last day..."

Thank you for these special words, Gaetan and Nicole.

And...that is just what Ken did...

...he enjoyed life like each day was his last! This image was snapped at Barry's and Bonnie's home in Belleville.

In Barry's own words from Ken's tribute page. "I imagine there will be many postings here from Ken's garden railwaying friends all over North America, especially those in Ottawa and area. Ken was always fun to be around, and even came and operated my own railway at its grand opening. I remember Ken as a generous, cheerful guy who loved his country very much. I will miss our almost weekly e-mail exchanges and other times together."

Here is Barry in his blue shirt. He was stunned when he learned of the news of Ken's passing having just shared e-mail messages with him the day before.

This image taken by Bernie down at Ken's home in Pennsylvania shows Barry and another lad marveling over Ken's Large Scale setup.

Barry reminded me of this image of Ken he found from the 2012 invasion. Ken certainly enjoyed working Douglas Yard in the shade on some of those hot Ottawa summer days!

"Ore Train Bob" offers these comforting words, "Ken will be sorely missed. He was a really great guy. He's now riding the engineer's seat in heaven's train."

"A great shock. Ken will really be missed. I loved him."

JohnnyChuffChuff

Bernie always enjoyed Ken's company as this image displays so truly. Bernie visited Ken's home down in Pennsylvania and has shared many images with us which you will see nearer the end of this entry.

We catch Ken working Nelson Yard as the husband and wife team of Steve and Seanna seek clearance under Ken's direction into the yard.

Ken takes time to admire Bernie's train.

He enjoys the camaraderie in the group.

Arriving Fred's property on yet another invasion day.

Getting underway.

Listening in on the pre-ops conversation.

Working Douglas Yard named for his good friend, Doug Matheson.

Ken was a great listener.

Hanging out with more "invaders"! (Big smile!)

Folks listened when Ken would speak.

Enjoying a laugh with friends.

Ken and Ric could always keep the crowd entertained!

Taking the wye.

Ken and Paul sharing yard duties on a sunny July morning in Ottawa.

Always in the "mix".

As I was saying...and a great "mix" of friends it was!

Ken always found joy in his train running...

...and we enjoyed his interesting railroad items.

We were always excited to see what Ken would be running.

American friends.

Ken in the Finger Lakes region.

Always comfortable with a throttle in his hand.

Yes we all celebrated well when we gathered.

So many memories!

A rare sight...Ken with a camera!

Our many invasion friends with Ken in the back row.

Ground running at another location.

Partying with friends.

Running trains at Doug's incredible layout.

Ken waves hello from Ottawa!

As Fred has said, "It was a shock to hear of Ken's passing...Ken was a FRIEND, a true friend. I am at a loss for words. I can only thank Ken, for sharing a friendship with me, and so many others. Rest in peace, my kind, young friend.

We all must thank our great friend, Fred Mills, who has allowed his property in Canada to become a "piece of the United States" for a weekend each July. For, if it were not for "Friar Fred" we would never have been given the opportunity to meet Ken.

Oh yes, one more story I learned from Doug and Fred.

Ken is a non-drinker...but he would bring up a case of beer for Fred for the Invasion weekend each time he came up to Canada. During his trip across the border for the first Invasion when asked if he had anything to declare Ken said "No" out of habit seeing as he didn't drink. Ken forgot that he had the case of beer in the car and he was pulled over for inspection. From that point on he was given the "once (or twice) over" by customs officials each time he came up North for the Invasion weekend. But, as Ken would say...the hassle at the border each time was a small price to pay in order to visit Fred's place and spend special time with his Canadian friends.

I would also like to thank Bernie and Chris who shared images with me for this very special blog entry. The remaining photos you will see (including the one above) all come from Bernie from his trip down to Ken's place with a few pics near the end taken at other locations in the States when Ken was at the same event as Bernie.

From this point on, the images will remain "captionless" as I would like you to take in the wonderful work Ken has done on his railroad in such a creative manner.

As Mark mentioned to me in a recent e-mail

"Mike, thanks so much for quarterbacking all the wonderful contributions from our friends - and sad news about Ken. I only met Ken once, at the 2019 version of the Invasion (after which COVID took over of course), but I’ll never forget him. A larger-than-life figure for sure…"

Indeed, anyone who had the fortunate opportunity to meet Ken even one time in their lives was moved by this unforgettable individual.

Our earthly loss is Heaven's gain.

Thank you to all who contributed memories. Mike