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 

 James J. Darcy

Glen V. Jones 

 Hollis O. Pack

Alfred Joseph Blake 

Lewis V. Stitt

The 740th Railway Operating Battalion in France & Belgium Charles W. Heffner

Mr. Russell G. Decker Obituary  Parma, Ohio 

Russell G. Decker, age 88 of Parma, 

WWII Army Veteran, beloved husband and soul mate 54 years of the late Ruth E. (nee Askew); loving father of James (Sandy) and Janet Feckler (Thomas); dear grandfather of James, Moneka, Richard (Deanne), Jason, Jennifer, and Heather; great-grandfather of Austin, Haven, Donnie and Olivia; father-in-law of Richard Urich; uncle and friend of many. Russell was a man with a big heart who never knew a stranger. A family man who truly enjoyed being with his family. In a crowd, he was the life of the party. At home, work and church,he always had a great sense of humor. Russell was an active, longtime, and faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church where he served on various committees and as an Elder and youth group counselor. 

He was very proud of his country, serving in the Army during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations with Company C, 752 Railway Operating Battalion. His battalion hauled freight, ammunition, gasoline, tanks, guns, engineer construction equipment, troop hospital cars, and food. Russell was decorated with two bronze stars and was a locomotive engineer operating Army locomotives from Le Harve, France to various locations in Germany. Russell's battalion #752 got together for a reunion every year for 50 years and he never missed one. He was also very active in the local chapter of the Cleveland Lutheran VFW. Russell was a chemical operator 30 years for the B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company in Avon. 

He passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010. Memorial contributions may be forwarded to St. James Lutheran Church, 4771 Broadview Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109. Funeral Service at St. James Lutheran Church, 4771 Broadview Rd., Cleveland on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment at Sunset Memorial Park, North Olmsted. Friends may call at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 7501 RIDGE RD., PARMA FROM 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M. ON TUESDAY. 440-842-7800

Alvarez, Miguel A.

Cook, Lewis W. Co.C