Tom Artzberger, age 78, passed Nov. 29, 2024, after having lived the last 17 years in Pagosa Springs, Colo., with his wife of 55 years, Sandy. This ended a fabulous, loving and caring life together involving trains, 40 years of small ship cruising and ice cream. Originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., Tom met Sandy in Milwaukee, Wisc., when he was completing his mechanical engineering degree and lived there for 38 years. Involvement in community and church outreach were a part of life. The highlight of outreach were six years of working with high school students as the mechanical engineering director of the competitive robotics project.
Always having a deep interest in building rideable steam locomotives, Tom became a legend in the field as he combined academic engineering knowledge with practical skills. Not only did he build for himself six one-fifth of actual size fully functioning steam locomotives of the scale/gauge found in parks and yards for adult/children riders, but designed others as kits. This allowed hobbyists without a machine shop or extensive engineering skills to have a “hands-on” personal assembly building experience. A diesel train he built is still running at the Milwaukee Zoo.
Immediately after moving to Pagosa, Tom became involved with the Durango Railroad Historical Society working on the restoration of the 315 Narrow Gauge locomotive (now in Chama) and mechanically keeping it running for trips. He totally delighted in the mechanical challenges it presented and especially working with the other volunteers. Often he was asked to make parts for the Durango-Silverton trains. Again, he loved the honor and challenge.
He will be dearly missed not only by his wife, but by the hundreds of hobbyists in the field, many being very dear friends, because of his creative skills, love to teach the individual, and leadership in forming and participating in many train hobby groups over the years.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Pagosa Springs, Colo., with a lite luncheon to follow.
If you choose, donations can be made to the Durango Railroad Historical Society.
