{"id":400,"date":"2024-05-23T09:04:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T09:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/?p=400"},"modified":"2025-09-01T23:01:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T03:01:21","slug":"in-memoriam-mike-brestel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/in-memoriam-mike-brestel\/","title":{"rendered":"In Memoriam . . . Mike Brestel"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-427 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x463.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"710\" height=\"321\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x463.png 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x347.png 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x694.png 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x271.png 600w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mike-Brestel-memorial-cover-photo-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.png 1640w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 710px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 710\/321;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that long-time Cincinnati Railroad Club member Mike Brestel passed away on May 22, 2024, just a week after his 73<sup>rd<\/sup> birthday. Mike was an active member throughout the years, volunteering in various ways &#8211; from working the club&#8217;s steam trips to presenting programs at club meetings. He was especially known as an expert on the Chesapeake &amp; Ohio Railway&#8217;s Cheviot Yard and environs. Many referred to him as Mr. Cheviot Hill. But Mike was so much more than Mr. Cheviot Hill . . . He was also a railfan, photographer, owner of Western Hills Photo &amp; Hobby, model railroader with his own C&amp;O layout at one time, member of the Cincinnati Model Railway Club, Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, honorary life member of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) and Cincinnati Division 7 MCR NMRA where he held multiple offices at the local, regional, and national level, served on the Summerail committee and handled the sound booth at the annual event, plus so much more than this space allows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Most importantly, Mike was a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor to so many who will greatly miss his presence in their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Friends &amp; family may call at Neidhard Minges Funeral Home in Westwood (3155 Harrison Ave.) on Monday, July 1st from 5pm-7pm &amp; on Tuesday, July 2nd from 10:30am until the time of the Memorial Service at 11am. Mike will be laid to rest at Rest Haven Memorial Cemetery in Evendale. \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3yJGhhW\"><em>Click here for Mike\u2019s obituary<\/em><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Frank Koch, Mike\u2019s close friend of 50+ years, wrote a very nice tribute detailing his contributions &amp; achievements to the model railroading community &amp; others which is <a href=\"https:\/\/img1.wsimg.com\/blobby\/go\/8e84aa5d-8239-474e-983b-e7d0fa0d8caf\/downloads\/Brestel%20Tribute%20by%20FJK%20v4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>available on the Cincinnati Div. 7 website here<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0 Larry DeYoung, who provided many photos of Mike for use by the CRRC, Cincinnati Div. 7, &amp; the NMRA, also provided a wonderful write-up about his friendship &amp; adventures with Mike <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/Brestel-02\"><em>which you can read here<\/em><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Now it seems fitting to close with <strong><em>OVER &amp; OUT<\/em><\/strong> . . . those same words Mike wrote as the title of his final magazine column as NMRA President in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><em><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Mike, may all your signals be green.<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p data-wp-editing=\"1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-402 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg\" alt=\"Cincinnati Railroad Club members working in the club car during steam excursion trip\" width=\"1944\" height=\"1296\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg 1944w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-club-steam-trip-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1944px) 100vw, 1944px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1944px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1944\/1296;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">Mike (2nd from left) and many other club members working in the club car during one of the club\u2019s many steam trips in this undated photo from the club archives.\u00a0 We can date this photo to 1988 or later based on the club\u2019s square 50th Anniversary pin on the hat of the gentleman at the far right. <em>(Cincinnati Railroad Club photo)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-409 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1820\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x728.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x1092.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-2048x1456.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Roberts-Brestel-Burchnall-railfanning-Sandpatch-1996-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x427.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1820;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">Railfanning Sand Patch with John Roberts (left) John Burchnall (right), and Larry DeYoung (not pictured) in April 1996. <em>(Larry DeYoung photo)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-413 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"552\" height=\"368\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Summerail-1996-MikeBrestel-working-sound-booth-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg 1944w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 552px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 552\/368;\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>1<sup>st<\/sup> Annual Summerail at Union Terminal in 1996\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">Pre-Show Prep: (L-R) Mike Brestel in the sound booth, Ron Flanary with back to camera working out a mic issue, &amp; standing behind the projector carts are Dan Finfrock, Jerry Obert, &amp; Dave Oroszi. Dave is using binoculars to adjust focus for the analog slideshow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-405 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/5-Summerail-1999-presenters-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"553\" height=\"374\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/5-Summerail-1999-presenters-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg 901w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/5-Summerail-1999-presenters-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/5-Summerail-1999-presenters-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x520.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/5-Summerail-1999-presenters-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x406.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 553px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 553\/374;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><u>Summerail 1999 <\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-family: andale mono, monospace;\"><em>(L-R): <\/em>Dave Oroszi, Ron Flanary (behind podium), Jim Corbett, Brad McClelland, Dale Brown, Mike Brestel, Kim Casagrande, and Paul Ramer<\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-404 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x734.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"557\" height=\"399\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x734.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x1101.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x430.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Summerail-2011-Mike-Brestel-Ron-Flanary-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg 1699w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 557px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 557\/399;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><u>Summerail 2011<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">After completing pre-show prep work, Mike takes a break with Ron Flanary in Union Terminal\u2019s Reakirt Auditorium before the doors are opened to Summerail attendees<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Mike was also the long-time proprietor of Western Hills Photo &amp; Hobby which combined his love for photography and trains (both model and prototype). \u00a0I\u2019m not exactly sure when he became the owner, but I can tell you my dad\u2019s first 35mm camera was a Christmas present my mom bought from Mike at Western Hills Photo in the early 1980s, and many a roll of slides and prints were processed through his store. \u00a0I also recall selling train magazines for Mike at the Div. 7 train show in the early 1980s when he was occupied with other customers at his store tables.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-406 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1697\" height=\"1097\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club.jpg 1697w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x993.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Hills-Photo-Hobby-Mike-Brestel-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x388.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1697px) 100vw, 1697px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1697px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1697\/1097;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">Here we see Mike hard at work in this 2006 photo by Larry DeYoung.\u00a0 <em><br \/>\n<\/em><em>(Store photo by Western Hills Photo &amp; Hobby)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-407 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"608\" height=\"811\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Mike-Brestel-CO-Russell-Yard-1978-Cincinnati-Railroad-Club-scaled.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 608px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 608\/811;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\">A young Mike in 1978 photographing the motive power and environs at the C&amp;O\u2019s massive yard complex in Russell, KY northwest of Ashland. At the time, Russell Yard was reported to be the world\u2019s largest railyard owned by a single company. The complex didn\u2019t lack for interesting photography subjects, as the coal classification yard also had the Raceland Car Shop facilities on about 84 acres at its west end, consisting of 5 buildings (each serving a different purpose in the car building process, while the east end of the yard had the locomotive shop and the Railroad YMCA; \u00a0a little farther east was RU Tower and the passenger depot. Definitely had lots of action to photograph at Russell back in the day!<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: andale mono, monospace;\"><em>(Larry DeYoung photo)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><em>Thanks to Larry DeYoung, Ron Flanary, Don Phillips, Summerail, and Western Hills Photo &amp; Hobby for sharing these photos with us.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news that long-time Cincinnati Railroad Club member Mike Brestel passed away on May 22, 2024, just a week after his 73rd birthday. Mike was an active member throughout the years,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-22","category-in-memoriam"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>In Memoriam . . . Mike Brestel - Cincinnati Railroad Club<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cincinnatirrclub.org\/WP\/in-memoriam-mike-brestel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In Memoriam . . . 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