'RAILROADING was his whole life," Jack Vodden said of his brother, Southern Pacific engineer Neal Vodden, who died April 7 of cancer at the age of 71. For more than 40 years, Neal Vodden, who lived in Los Gatos from childhood, drove steam and later diesel locomotives between San Francisco and San Jose. By the time he retired in 1986, he was senior engineer on Amtrak's Coast Starlight.
Retired to his home in Scotts Valley, he continued his interest in steam. When the Golden Gate Railroad Museum in San Francisco restored SP engine 2472, which had been on display outside the San Mateo County Fairgrounds, Vodden was at the throttle on May 1, 1991, when it ran for the first time in 34 years. On other occasions, he ran the big steamers on rail-fan trips to Sacramento and to San Jose and Gilroy.
Neal Vodden's connection with Los Gatos and the trains that came in to the downtown area began when he was a youngster, and he couldn't get enough of the big engines. When he hung around a Peninsula roundhouse, veteran engineer Billy Jones hired him to service the engines. Later he became a fireman, and then an engineer. He helped Jones build his backyard line, which now has a home in Oak Meadow Park.
Vodden, who never married, is survived by his brother.
STEVE Wozniak was the guest conductor May 2 as Los Gatos High School's Symphonic Band joined the San Jose Wind Symphony for an evening of light listening, celebrating the lively arts. Outstanding senior music student Brian MacDonald performed Concertante for Alto Saxophone. The Wind Symphony under Darrell Johnston offered works by composers from Franz Liszt to Irving Berlin. Besides the orchestras, the audience was treated to a performance by ballerina Kathleen Wehr.
TOP bicycle racers from around the United States and the world will be on hand May 10 for the 23rd annual Cat's Hill Criterium. The race, including the steep Nicholson Hill climb, demands strength and stamina. In past years, more than 5,000 spectators have been on hand. Racing begins at 10 a.m. and involves senior men's, women's and masters' categories. Top-ranked riders like Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and Eric Heiden are among those who've raced this course.
MARIE ROSE Guild, Los Gatos Chapter, will hold its annual Strawberry Luncheon, benefiting the Sisters of the Holy Names, in the Care Center of the Los Gatos Convent on May 8. The $17.50 luncheon ticket includes hors d'oeuvres and strawberry sangria served in the patio garden, as well as lunch and prizes.
THE LOS GATOS Elementary Education Foundation has raised more than $1 million to aid our schools, including some $100,000 this year. To celebrate, the foundation is holding the Thanks a Million family picnic June 1 at 12:30 p.m. on the lawn of Los Gatos High School. The picnic is open to the public. The program includes a drawing for a Chevrolet Suburban.
TWO Los Gatans were honored for their work with inmates at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas. The Santa Clara County Library Reading Program recognized Sharon Herald and Thomas King for their volunteer efforts with the Inmate Literacy Project. Herald works six to nine hours a week in the Elmwood Library, and King volunteers four hours a week and has tutored many inmates to improve their literacy skills.
WE AND OUR Neighbors Club, at the corner of Los Gatos-Almaden Road and Union Avenue, will be the setting May 22 at 7 p.m. for a talk by Paul Duchscherer, author of The Bungalow: America's Arts and Crafts Home. Cost is $10. Proceeds will go for clubhouse repairs. We and Our Neighbors, at 105 years old, is the oldest women's club in the Santa Clara Valley. For information, phone Beatrice Mead, 377-1463.
DAVES Avenue School holds its annual carnival once again on May 10, from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Many game booths with fun prizes are promised. Admission is free, with game tickets at 50 cents each. For the toddlers, there's a petting zoo. Call Monica Sabo, 395-4480, for information.
FORMER White House chief of staff and former congressman Leon Panetta speaks May 6 at the Hyatt St. Claire, 302 S. Market St., San Jose, under auspices of the World Forum of Silicon Valley and the Commonwealth Club. The 7 p.m. dinner is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.
LOS GATOS Lodge was the site as local members of the Reform Party of California met April 19 to elect new leaders for its Region 4, embracing Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Wilma Ferrario of Los Gatos was one of those named to committee positions.
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This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, May 7, 1997.
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