James W. (Jim) Lilly was born in Huntington, West Virginia in 1968. He credits his love of railroading and its history to growing up watching the Chesapeake & Ohio (Chessie) system and playing with his Grandfather Jim's post-war Lionel trains. The defining moment for Jim as a rail fan was in October 1985 with a first-class steam train ride on the New River Train behind Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765. He spent the entire trip in the vestibule and came home covered in soot and grinning from ear to ear. In college he relaxed from studying and work by watching trains of the Southern Railway (then Norolk Southern but with lots of Southern equipment) roll through town.
A DCNRHS member since 1990 and President since January 1, 200, Jim has been heavily involved in planning and operating excursions and trips. As Vice President from 1995-2000, Jim was responsible for developing the dcnrhs.org and doverharbor.com web sites that brought the DCNRHS into the Internet age , restoration of our three baggage cars, and for two grants for the DOVER HARBOR that the DCNRHS received from the NRHS in 1995 and 1997. He was awarded the Bent Spike Award in 2000, .
Jim is a qualified Mechanical Officer and Steward on the DOVER HARBOR and can frequently be found aboard the car on trips and on Saturdays during work sessions at Dover Park. He especially enjoys the history of the Pullman Company, and seeing America by Rail. Jim said in a 2009 interview "Until you've ridden the DOVER HARBOR through the rockies you've never actually seen America." He is also well connected at the National NRHS having served as National Director of NRHS' Internet Services since 1999.
Jim's most far-flung railroad adventure was riding the Indian Pacific across Australia. He has also ridden trains in Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, France, England, and Germany. He has ridden most of the major Amtrak routes in the United States aboard Dover Harbor and countless special trains.
About DCNRHS Jim says, "I love the people of DCNRHS, the DOVER HARBOR, and the fact that we are a club that 'does things. We have much to be proud of, our DOVER HARBOR, Library, Franklin Inn & Collinsville Inn, our trip programs, outstanding meetings, and our RailCamp scholarship am ong others. We are in the midst of an exciting organizational transformation that is building the 21st Century version of DCNRHS. We will continue our outreach and educating the public about railroading past and present. I want our programs and activities to continue to be enjoyable for our members."
Jim has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Clemson University (1990) and a Master's Degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University (1994). Professionally Jim works as a project manager and software developer in information technology and on Internet projects. Jim also enjoys fishing, hunting, college football, and travel.
Jim lives in suburban Maryland. He has two school-age children, Grant and Mason, both who share his love of trains and are DCNRHS members as well.
Articled written April 2010. |
