Quote:Railroad entrepreneur R.J. Corman dies at 58
Published: August 23, 2013
R.J. "Rick" Corman, the Jessamine County entrepreneur who built a backhoe business into a multimillion-dollar railroad and construction company, died Friday. He was 58.
Company spokesman Noel Rush said Mr. Corman died about 11 a.m. at his home in Nicholasville. Rush said the company's officials would have a statement later.
Full story: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.kentucky.com/2013/08/23/2782221/railroad-entrepreneur-rj-corman.html">http://www.kentucky.com/2013/08/23/2782 ... orman.html</a><!-- m -->
I read the book about him. He must have been an impressive man but working for him was not easy at all. He may rest in peace.
Sorry to hear that..He diffidently knew how to build up business on a weak branch line the he leased.
I first met Mr. Corman in 1982, when he was contracted to rebuild the trestle that collapsed under our train on the F&C. He had already established himself in the railroad construction field and was a very down to earth fellow at that time. Watching them rebuild the trestle, he stood and talked to me for a very long time about railroading and how he hoped to one day expand his company into railroad operations - which he did.
This link to the Corman website about Mr. Corman's passing
http://www.rjcorman.com/pressreleases/Vi...elease.pdf rather sums the man up, especially the statement "demanding boss". He did indeed become very demanding as his company grew and to say he changed would be an understatement. No doubt a necessity to make his operation successful and keep it running. He was very highly respected in this area and did a lot for his home town of Nicholasville and supported many hospitals and charities; donating large sums of money to help them out.
Many people will have different feelings about the late Mr. Corman, but you have to admire how the man came from virtually nothing to build a diversified railroad mini-empire and manage to operate very marginal lines that no one else wanted. Even to the point of creating his own business for lines that had little or no rail traffic on them.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the R J Corman Railroad Group within the next year or so. I have a feeling that it will be split into different companies and many of the marginal rail lines sold off to other companies that might be interested in them. I doubt that either his son or daughter have the drive or will to try and hold all this together. But only time will tell.
Rest in peace Mr. Corman.
A second story for background:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/07/the-ballad-of-richard-jay-corman">http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/ ... jay-corman</a><!-- m -->
Ed:It will be interesting to see what happens to the R J Corman Railroad Group within the next year or so. I have a feeling that it will be split into different companies and many of the marginal rail lines sold off to other companies that might be interested in them. I doubt that either his son or daughter have the drive or will to try and hold all this together. But only time will tell.
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Since GWI bought Rail America I wouldn't be surprise if GWI steps up and makes a offer for R.J.Corman Short Line holdings.
It's my understanding that, sadly, there wasn't much interest beyond himself in the QJ...and she'll likely become a static display in her crystal palace (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8324964681_08ba2602c0_z.jpg">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8324 ... 02c0_z.jpg</a><!-- m -->)
nkp_174 Wrote:It's my understanding that, sadly, there wasn't much interest beyond himself in the QJ...and she'll likely become a static display in her crystal palace
That's what we keep hearing around here and what I think will happen with the QJ. The QJ is down for its 15 year inspection and I've been told it's not high on the list of priorities. The QJ will be on display at the Midway, KY Fall Festival again this year, but of course not under its own power. After that, who knows what will happen to her.
The management and crews have no love for the two diner trains either, but I don't expect to see any changes with those for a while. The Old Kentucky Diner Train in Bardstown has proven to be quite a tourist draw for that city and the city would have a fit if Corman discontinued its operation. The one in Lexington (only two cars) may die on its own. Time will tell.