This is an amazing biography and first hand account by Army railroader D.M.(Bing) Quimby serving with the 711th ROB during WWII in Iran. Thanks to his son, Russ Quimby and the Quimby family for sharing this amazing book with us,

Russ wrote ... Nancy, I just finished reading Christian Wolmar's "The Liberation Line" where I discovered your name and website. As a Class of 1974 West Point graduate who spent most of my working life in railroading, and as the son of a railroad engineer who was in the 711th ROB in Iran during WWII, I am gratified that you are preserving the Military Railway Service history and memories. Four of 13 chapters of my father's self published autobiography "One of the Last" by D.M. (Bing) Quimby (1995 Vantage Press) deal with his experiences in the 711th ROB in Iran. Only 200 copies were published, but I would be glad to send you a copy for reference. I think that you might find his story of some interest.

Fascinating autobiography of Bing Quimby, one of the last engineers to run a steam locomotive in the United States. A quintessential small town boy, the author describes his youth growing up in Nebraska in the 1920s, bumming his way to California in his teens (and getting into scrapes along the way), working as a fireman for the railroad, serving in the Army during World Ward II where his locomotive delivered supplies to the Russians from Iran, and then the years as an engineer of steam locomotives back home before making the transition to diesel. Illustrated with black and white photos. 232 pages. 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vantage Press; First Edition (January 1, 1995) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 232 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0533111544 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0533111541 

 

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Russell Quimby son of D.M. (Bing) Quimby sent these marvelous photos of his dad's 711th ROB service in Iran. 

Donovan "Bing" Morris Quimby 1918-2015 ( age 96+) Donovan Morris Quimby died at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home on June 23, 2015. D.M. “Bing” Quimby was born September 23, 1918 in Springview, Nebraska to Dr. Donovan Perry Quimby DDS and Ruth Ann Quimby (nee Morris). He grew up in Wakefield, NE where he graduated high school in 1937. He then attended Wayne State College for three semesters. In 1939, he moved with his parents to South Sioux City, NE where he domiciled for the next 73 years, and worked for the Chicago Burlington & Quincy and later the Burlington Northern Railroads. 

March 22, 1942 he entered the US Army and served with the 711th Railway Operating Battalion, Persian Gulf Command in Iran as a locomotive engineer attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant 4. Bing hauled lend-lease equipment to Soviet forces in Tehran for use against the Nazis in Russia. In 1997, the Russian Government awarded him a commemorative medal for his service. Prior to entering service, he met Ardyce Fern Sides of Dakota City, NE, and they were wed July 18, 1942 for the next 72+ years until his death. A day after their wedding, they did not see each other for the next 3 years. 

Bing was honorably discharged from the Army October 16,1945, and returned to Nebraska as a locomotive engineer until he retired on December 10, 1982, after 40 years of railroading. In 1995, Bing self-published his autobiography, “One of the Last,” which detailed his life in entertaining detail and the historical context of the “greatest generation.” For 50 years, Bing was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City. 

He was a Mason, and also a member of American Legion Post 307, the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, the Military Railway Service Veterans of WWII, and the Persian Gulf Service Veterans of WWII. He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Richard E. Quimby. 

He was survived by his wife, Ardyce, and three sons; Donovan Mark Quimby, Russell G. Quimby, and Jay M. Quimby, and their wives, and his sister-in-law Lois Louise Quimby nee Duffy. Bing and Ardyce have seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Bing is buried in Memorial Cemetery, Sioux City, IA with Ardyce, plot 300.

Sept 1944 

• MRS Iran killed Greeno 
• MRS France 
• 722nd Railway Operating Battalion Diesel Streamliner captured 
• 748th Railway Operating Battalion 
• Crockette died India Troy Time Record – Hitler’s Trains story 
• 712th Railway Operating Battalion Davis

 

April 1944 

• MRS Italy Kossuth 
• MRS Iran 
• 718th Railway Operating Battalion 
• Camp Clairborne

 

USA Military Railway Service and Iranian State Railroad. Includes MRS-Iranian State Rwy Rules and Operations booklet. size is 4 x 7 inches, 58 pages in English and 48 pages in Arabic Script. Shows signals and light requirements. Included are 17 B/W photographs. Some dated Feb 1945. No credit noted on pics, no negatives. Includes 17--4"x5" and 2 smaller. Some are Victory ships at RR service dock, Shaws train, Ahwaz depot/trains, Ahwaz-Teheran train, RR yards, Train wrecks, Celebration of 1, 000,000 tons to Russia with Russian color guard. Steam and diesel locos.

Album from World War II.

Photos documenting the 3rd Military Railway Service, Persian Gulf Command, US Army. (showing Frank L. Hoppe of Havre, MT and his service in Persia).  Many small snap shot photos of buildings, monuments, bazaars, native Iranians.  Of note, photo of the King and Queen of Persian (Shaw) and FDR, Churchill and Stalin photos (probably taken at Malta; Most of the photos are identified on reverse..

Also contains one letter home to his mother, Large fold out map of the world (1940s era, good condition), military theme cartoons clipped from magazines and newspapers, Program from "This is the Army"... Irving Berlin's All-Soldier Musical Review, newspaper clippings about how "Iron Horses" kept in condition by shopmen of the Railroad Battalions.

Ration Card belonging to Frank, Co. B, 730th., photo copies of V-mail sent home for Xmas, New Year. Photos of Palaces and hotels, at Isphahan and Parband, Holy Temple at Gahm, Gold Temple at Gham

730 MRS Rules and Reg Persia by cunningb

Photo album owned by Lt Deckinger that served in Iran for several years in the 730th ROB in Iran

730th Railway Operating Battalion by Nancy