David Hood, Ken Gutermuth, Donna Balkan and Sam Packwood	Ron Secunda and 2013 champ Trella Bromley

Rail Baron enjoyed a renaissance under the new GM management of its original 1991 Champ, Chuck Foster, back from Idaho after many years of absence. He managed to bring back some other rail riders too as the field reached numbers not seen in more than a decade. As the players gathered for the first heat, everyone felt the loss of Paul Van Bloem, a long-time assistant GM, who passed away this past spring. An honorary award was given in his memory for the highest net worth over three games of Rail Baron. This was won by Eyal Mozes. Mark McCandless won the staying-alive award for the least amount of money and property ($87,000) at the end of a game. 

Due to consistent play during the year and the opportunity to play online (thanks to Steve Okonski), the skill level has increased to be higher than ever before. The parity showed itself with 22 individual winners in 25 Preliminary games. There were only three double winners: Brian Smith, Bill Peeck, and Chuck Foster.

The 22 winners and three alternates made up the semifinal round and were seeded by area ratings at five 5-player tables. However, as so often happens amidst WBC’s many distractions, only 20 players appeared for the semifinals, so there were only four 5-player tables. The fifth seat in the Final was set by earlier criteria of (1) most preliminary wins, (2) the highest net worth from their wins, and (3) their net worth in the semifinal.

John Henry secured his semifinal victory with the least amount of net worth, with all five players having the necessary cash to win. Ron Secunda snared his victory with the unlikely disconnected combination of ATSF, NP, and SLSF by avoiding the Northeast. Norm Newton punched his ticket to the Final by dashing home to Chicago from Houston just ahead of Donna Balkan. Sue Lanham won a nail-biter as she was rovered once and then two destinations later headed home successfully.

Chuck rolled boxcars on his way to Pocatello from Houston and was able to snare the coveted PA in the Final. He added the ATSF, NP, L&N, CB&Q, and the RF&P on auction from Ron Secunda. Norm bought the NYC, B&M, SP, IC, and the CRI&P. Ron purchased the NYNH&H and then added the B&O, SAL, N&W, RF&P, and the C&NW. His semifinal luck of avoiding the Northeast ended as he visited Boston four times. Sue Lanham picked up the WP, the D&RGW, UP, SOU, C&O, and the MP. John Henry gambled on buying a Super Chief when arriving in San Diego. He arrived next in NYC with no money to spare and nothing to sell. He eventually bought the ACL, CMSTP&P, T&P, GM&O, and the SLSF. Chuck was the first to announce at $150, and it looked like he would cruise to victory, but with his difficult Houston home, he never got close. Meanwhile, Norm played a well-calculated game and rolled the Northeast at the right time. 

Seeing the end was near, Chuck tried to head home from Norfolk to Houston, hoping to get there in two turns. He was unsuccessful and was caught by Ron Secunda, forcing Chuck to head to his alternate destination, Pocatello. Meanwhile, Norm Newton arrived in Washington, DC, and headed home to Boston for the win. Chuck took second ($378.5), followed by Sue ($239), Ron ($124), and John ($116.5). In a deeply felt act of generosity, Norm donated his first-place plaque to Paul Van Bloem’s best friend, Steve Okonski.

GM Chuck Foster (seond from right) and his five co-finalists.