Sign up for our e-newsletter
Follow us on Facebook
Rails, Tales & Sales
GREETINGS FROM THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY! As we say on the radio "nestled within the Green Mountains of Vermont, and Adirondacks of New York, this is WJOY Burlington!" Old Man Winter has reluctantly loosened his grip on the North Country. Most mornings begin in the upper 40s, and rain is our constant companion. High water has plagued local railroads and the ferries-- two of my favorite local haunts. That being said, the weather cooperated for our Rutland Railroad Historical Society 2019 convention, held in Middlebury. Mike Sparks spearheaded the event, with support from the unusual suspects. The Phoenix Feeds tour was most interesting, with unusual footage now stockpiled for a future production on New Haven Junction and the long departed six-mile Bristol Railroad (1891-1930). Banquet attendees were treated to my "sneak peak" Powerpoint presentation "NEW HAVEN JUNCTION: Crossroads To Caskets." For 38 years, the charming little Bristol Railroad hauled caskets and coffins from Bristol Manufacturing Co.-- 70 to a boxcar. These wooden burial boxes were loaded, one at a time, down the track from the Bristol station. Train crews did what was necessary to avoid spooking passengers into thinking they were riding with corpses! Bristol Railroad received lengthy exposure in our 2006 release RUTLAND REMNANTS 3: BURLINGTON, BRANDON AND THE BRIDGES OF ADDISON COUNTY. Score your copy for only $12, with free shipping! In fact, the entire RUTLAND REMNANTS series can be had for $12 each. If you buy five, I'll throw the sixth in for nothing. Just order the first 5, I'll do the rest!
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION TIME!
Many awesome customers have told us how much they loved our latest DVD and download: KEESEVILLE, AUSABLE CHASM & LAKE CHAMPLAIN RAILROAD: ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN GATEWAY. "I told you so!" Pretty cool, huh? KAC&LC, aka "The Peanut Railroad" and "Alphabet Route," (a few used say "Kills All Cows and Little Calves, not true!) packed more into its scant 5.64 miles than most railroads a hundred times the size. Two U.S. Presidents, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and scores of Silent Film movie stars were awestruck at their ride over a cantilever bridge, towering 158-feet above Ausable Chasm. You've enjoyed the video, gushed about what a great model railroad subject it would be, and wondered if a book might follow. We certainly have the materials, and 85 pages of text. Here's where you come in... If we self-published a quality book of several hundred pages, for $30-$50, are you on board? This limited edition keepsake would be signed and numbered. The more we order, the better deal I can get from the printer. Please let me know how many copies you'd buy, so I can keep a tally.
BOB SHERIDAN
Bob Sheridan has been my "go to guy" for 30 years. Back in 1989, I was 'living on the air," as a Denver, Colorado-based national network radio personality. The Northern New England rail was changing fast, and much of my vacation time was spent back home capturing what I could on film and video. Bob, a long-time family friend, took the guess work out of finding trains on RS11-powered CP lines and other Northeastern Vermont and New Hampshire operations. Much of this footage appears in our ALCO HEAVEN, RAILS ALONG THE RIVER, CENTRAL VERMONT RAILWAY VIDEO FINALE, and B&M AT TWILIGHT releases!
I left 1,200 radio stations behind in the year 2000, coming home to get married and begin a second chapter in my native Vermont. Thanks to improved video technology and affordable software, I sold my classic 1959 Chevy Impala to begin Tale Productions. For every interviewee you see in our productions, there are several behind the scenes contributors. Bob made it very clear, early on, that he would never sit for our cameras, and he made good on that vow! Instead, I received phone tips about special trains, and joined him on many enjoyable outings. Bob was known to all the railroad crew, who counted on seeing him trackside-- and, if they didn't, would call his home to see if he was OK! Of course, it was about more than their obvious affection for him. They were counting on cookie and brownie care packages from Bob's wife, Tink! Bob's beloved Tink passed away five years ago, taking a big piece with him. Several of us visited Bob, at his Lyndonville home, where we'd have "slide nights" and occasionally crash on the couch in anticipation of a fun-filled "chase" the next morning. These days, my friends seem to be passing at an accelerated rate. I'll miss his dry Vermont humor. Bob would consider it a compliment if I told you he "could B.S. with the best of them." Bob, may you NOT rest in peace! After all, we know you'd rather have a trio of maroon and gray CP RS2's approaching (with 40 foot boxcars and wooden caboose).
Bob's obit reads as follows: Robert Sheridan passed away peacefully at NVRH on May 24, 2019. He was born October 6, 1927 in Burlington, VT and was a WW II veteran stationed in Germany. He married Glenrose “Tink” Twombly on July 1, 1951. Tink predeceased him on January 6, 2014. In 1975, he left Fairchild Industries and he and his beloved wife moved from Burlington to Lyndonville where he joined Mardon Industries as their Purchasing Manager. Bob retired from Mardon’s in 1989.
Bob was an avid train “chaser” and photographer. His photos were featured on calendars and in several books and videos. Various organizations invited him to present and narrate slide shows of the trains he photographed. His family and friends will greatly miss his easy-going nature, chats, and, of course, his jokes!
He is survived by his sister Peg Sheridan-Lefebvre, nephews, Douglas Burnham and wife, Phyllis, and David Burnham; great-nieces, Tami Burnham Jones and husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Ashley and Allison, and Laurie Burnham Vahedi and husband, Ali, and their daughter, Caley.
At Bob’s request, there will be no viewing or service. We will honor Bob and Tink’s desire to be interred together this summer at the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, VT.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com
CLOSING WORDS
Tell-Tale Productions is viewer supported by people like you. Our continued existence depends on your support. Please like our Facebook page, and share with others. The entire climate of visual media is in transition. Several scripts are in the works, and new state-of-the-art equipment has been secured. Sales of our existing catalog of forty titles funds this future. Please check out the $12 DVDs, downloadable titles beginning at $4.99, and sign up for our free You Tube Channel. Several free bonus, full length productions, and dozens of trailers can be viewed.
TELL-TALE ON THE ROAD
September 7: Glory Days Festival, White River Junction, 10 AM-4 PM. DVD's, Robert C. Jones books, and other railroad ephemera at unbelievable prices. Two tables!
September 19: Bristol Historical Society, Howden Hall, Bristol, VT., 7 PM. James R. "Jim" Jones with a live Powerpoint presentation on the Rutland and Bristol Railroads, and local lore, "NEW HAVEN JUNCTION: Crossroads to Caskets." Limited quantity of DVDs and books for sale.
September 21: Rutland Train Show, Holiday Inn, Route 7, Rutland, VT 10 AM-3:30 PM DVD's, Robert C. Jones books, and other railroad ephemera at unbelievable prices.
December 7: Winooski Train Show, Rt. 7, Winooski, Vermont
We look forward to seeing you at the local shows, or joining you in cyberspace. Warmest regards,
James R."Jim" and Marilee C. Jones
Tell-Tale Productions
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION TIME!
Many awesome customers have told us how much they loved our latest DVD and download: KEESEVILLE, AUSABLE CHASM & LAKE CHAMPLAIN RAILROAD: ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN GATEWAY. "I told you so!" Pretty cool, huh? KAC&LC, aka "The Peanut Railroad" and "Alphabet Route," (a few used say "Kills All Cows and Little Calves, not true!) packed more into its scant 5.64 miles than most railroads a hundred times the size. Two U.S. Presidents, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and scores of Silent Film movie stars were awestruck at their ride over a cantilever bridge, towering 158-feet above Ausable Chasm. You've enjoyed the video, gushed about what a great model railroad subject it would be, and wondered if a book might follow. We certainly have the materials, and 85 pages of text. Here's where you come in... If we self-published a quality book of several hundred pages, for $30-$50, are you on board? This limited edition keepsake would be signed and numbered. The more we order, the better deal I can get from the printer. Please let me know how many copies you'd buy, so I can keep a tally.
BOB SHERIDAN
Bob Sheridan has been my "go to guy" for 30 years. Back in 1989, I was 'living on the air," as a Denver, Colorado-based national network radio personality. The Northern New England rail was changing fast, and much of my vacation time was spent back home capturing what I could on film and video. Bob, a long-time family friend, took the guess work out of finding trains on RS11-powered CP lines and other Northeastern Vermont and New Hampshire operations. Much of this footage appears in our ALCO HEAVEN, RAILS ALONG THE RIVER, CENTRAL VERMONT RAILWAY VIDEO FINALE, and B&M AT TWILIGHT releases!
I left 1,200 radio stations behind in the year 2000, coming home to get married and begin a second chapter in my native Vermont. Thanks to improved video technology and affordable software, I sold my classic 1959 Chevy Impala to begin Tale Productions. For every interviewee you see in our productions, there are several behind the scenes contributors. Bob made it very clear, early on, that he would never sit for our cameras, and he made good on that vow! Instead, I received phone tips about special trains, and joined him on many enjoyable outings. Bob was known to all the railroad crew, who counted on seeing him trackside-- and, if they didn't, would call his home to see if he was OK! Of course, it was about more than their obvious affection for him. They were counting on cookie and brownie care packages from Bob's wife, Tink! Bob's beloved Tink passed away five years ago, taking a big piece with him. Several of us visited Bob, at his Lyndonville home, where we'd have "slide nights" and occasionally crash on the couch in anticipation of a fun-filled "chase" the next morning. These days, my friends seem to be passing at an accelerated rate. I'll miss his dry Vermont humor. Bob would consider it a compliment if I told you he "could B.S. with the best of them." Bob, may you NOT rest in peace! After all, we know you'd rather have a trio of maroon and gray CP RS2's approaching (with 40 foot boxcars and wooden caboose).
Bob's obit reads as follows: Robert Sheridan passed away peacefully at NVRH on May 24, 2019. He was born October 6, 1927 in Burlington, VT and was a WW II veteran stationed in Germany. He married Glenrose “Tink” Twombly on July 1, 1951. Tink predeceased him on January 6, 2014. In 1975, he left Fairchild Industries and he and his beloved wife moved from Burlington to Lyndonville where he joined Mardon Industries as their Purchasing Manager. Bob retired from Mardon’s in 1989.
Bob was an avid train “chaser” and photographer. His photos were featured on calendars and in several books and videos. Various organizations invited him to present and narrate slide shows of the trains he photographed. His family and friends will greatly miss his easy-going nature, chats, and, of course, his jokes!
He is survived by his sister Peg Sheridan-Lefebvre, nephews, Douglas Burnham and wife, Phyllis, and David Burnham; great-nieces, Tami Burnham Jones and husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Ashley and Allison, and Laurie Burnham Vahedi and husband, Ali, and their daughter, Caley.
At Bob’s request, there will be no viewing or service. We will honor Bob and Tink’s desire to be interred together this summer at the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, VT.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com
CLOSING WORDS
Tell-Tale Productions is viewer supported by people like you. Our continued existence depends on your support. Please like our Facebook page, and share with others. The entire climate of visual media is in transition. Several scripts are in the works, and new state-of-the-art equipment has been secured. Sales of our existing catalog of forty titles funds this future. Please check out the $12 DVDs, downloadable titles beginning at $4.99, and sign up for our free You Tube Channel. Several free bonus, full length productions, and dozens of trailers can be viewed.
TELL-TALE ON THE ROAD
September 7: Glory Days Festival, White River Junction, 10 AM-4 PM. DVD's, Robert C. Jones books, and other railroad ephemera at unbelievable prices. Two tables!
September 19: Bristol Historical Society, Howden Hall, Bristol, VT., 7 PM. James R. "Jim" Jones with a live Powerpoint presentation on the Rutland and Bristol Railroads, and local lore, "NEW HAVEN JUNCTION: Crossroads to Caskets." Limited quantity of DVDs and books for sale.
September 21: Rutland Train Show, Holiday Inn, Route 7, Rutland, VT 10 AM-3:30 PM DVD's, Robert C. Jones books, and other railroad ephemera at unbelievable prices.
December 7: Winooski Train Show, Rt. 7, Winooski, Vermont
We look forward to seeing you at the local shows, or joining you in cyberspace. Warmest regards,
James R."Jim" and Marilee C. Jones
Tell-Tale Productions
