Roy G. Benedict

We rail preservationists and historians have lost an important member of our community.  Roy G. Benedict, prolific writer and historian active with several rail organizations over the course of 60+ years, passed away unexpectedly.  He was 78.

Among other activities, Roy was long involved with CERA publications and also served a term as editor of First & Fastest, published by the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society.  His historic research and writings were meticulous, thorough and accurate.   A native of Chicago's South Side, he was considered a 'walking encyclopedia' of Chicago Surface Lines routes and operations.

Roy was a bachelor who lived alone on Chicago's Northwest Side.  He was employed as a schoolteacher. After retiring, he started Roy G. Benedict Publisher's Services as a sole proprietorship.   He did not own a car and used public transportation to get wherever he needed to go, traveling frequently to Indiana to observe NICTD board meetings or to distant libraries to research electric railways.  When invited to ride with others to railroad museums, model meets, and other events not accessible by bus or train, Roy was always grateful for the opportunity to tag along.

The accompanying photo below shows Roy enjoying Bob Olson's South Bend Electric Railway in October of 2016.  

There will be no funeral service.  Roy bequeathed his collection to the Illinois Railway Museum's Strahorn Library.  

--Eric Bronsky