A Passion for Trains
While his interest in model trains began as a young boy, over the past 50 years Russ has built five model railroads. The current layout is a 250-square-foot HO scale reproduction of the 175-year-old East Broad Top Railroad, a 32-mile-long narrow gauge short line that once served Mount Union, Pa., site of Russ’ first parish and where he met his wife, Dixie. His first project was built in the 1970s on two 4' x 8' plywood sheets in the basement of the parsonage. As he moved to other churches and ministries, he would integrate parts of former layouts and expand on them. He has earned numerous certifications from the National Model Railroad Association, leading to the award of Master Model Railroader in 2019. He has also written extensively for various journals and magazines and maintains an online blog detailing his work. He shares his passion with his wife and grandchildren who inspire his designs. “My wife is my biggest supporter,” says Russ. “Whenever we moved to a new house, she’d tell the realtor ‘We need a room for the trains!’” His “train room” and workshop is a veritable museum of railroad memorabilia as well as, a lifetime of memories. “Whenever I give a tour and tell people about the history of the railroad, the people who worked on it and places the trains ran, it’s a trip down memory lane.”
Russ with his Men’s Group comrades.
“Pastor Russ Norris has led the men's breakfast group for as many years as he has been at St. Mary's. Always faithful to the organization in terms of scheduling a cook and reminding all of the calendar (first and third Tuesdays of the month.) Most importantly, he gives communion at every meeting. It is the act of setting up communion that Russ brings a special skill: the ability to segue. No matter what the subject of discussion as our hour comes to a close - whether the Episcopal Church, developments in world religion, politics, or even sports - suddenly Russ will say ‘you know it was a room just about this size’, or, ‘Jesus was joining his friends just like we are all friends here ,’ or, ‘There were 12 in that upper room just like we are 12 sitting around this table today’. And then, like magic the communion ceremony begins. The Lord's prayer is recited before the host is passed and our very moving, simply beautiful service is over. ‘Go in peace,’ says Russ, and then ‘It's time to do the dishes!’” - David Knauer “Twice each month, Russ has faithfully organized, encouraged, and grounded the Men's Group breakfast. It's a low-visibility ministry which is deeply meaningful for the dozen or so who are there - and Russ commonly leads us into a brief Eucharist by remarking that Christ similarly gathered twelve around the table for a simple meal. He will be profoundly missed.” - Rob Parke
“We will miss Russ: his sermons, his elfin smile, his warmth, friendliness, compassion and positive focus. For me he’s a model of discipleship.” - Marian Ferguson
Learn more at the Friends of the Broad Top Railroad Read Russ’ Blog
3
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online