Alan M. Shelley

SHELLEY, Alan M.
Passed away on September 26, 2005 after a long illness. Al was born in San Diego on September 22, 1927. When he was 2 years old, his dad gave him a Lionel train set which sparked his love of trains and railroading. When Al was 6 years old his family moved to Sacramento. He graduated from Sacramento High School. After serving in the Army Air Corp, as a map maker, Al and long time friend Bill Miller installed the famous live steam train ride at William Land Park. Al worked as a locomotive engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad for 43 years (from 11-6-46 to 5-23-89). In the late 1960's Al joined the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers and helped install and operate the popular live steam train ride at Cordova (Hagan) Park. Al was also an active volunteer at the California State Railroad Museum for 23 years (1976 to 1999), working on many locomotive and car restoration projects, and training Firemen and Engineers for the Museum's excursion railroad.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Martha Shelley, and half-brother Fred Demarest. Al is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Anderson Shelley, and many nieces and nephews, step daughter Jackie Mertz; extended family of Bill Miller, Janis Dosty and family, Steve and Cheryl Meyer, and many other kids from the Sacramento Southern Railroad.
In addition to Al's love of railroading, he was an avid stamp collector and an accomplished machinist, woodworker, and draftsman.
Join Al's family and friends for a celebration of his life on Sunday, October 16, 2005 at the California State Railroad Museum. There will be a train ride on the Sacramento Southem Railroad at 5:00 p.m. departing from the foot of "I" Street in Old Sacramento. Following the train ride, the celebration will continue in the Museum Roundhouse. Please enter the Roundhouse through the Turntable doors (on the Sacramento River side of the Museum).
In lieu of flowers, Al would be pleased if all would register on the National Organ Donor Registry. Al was on dialysis for the last 7 months of his life and saw many young people at his appointments who would have a chance at a normal life with a donated kidney. Mary asks if you have railroad clothes, wear them.