Alan E. Schneider, 69, a model-train collector since childhood who traveled the country to photograph the disappearing steam-powered locomotive, died Tuesday, June 27, in a Broadview nursing home after a bout with lung cancer. “I don’t know how he got that passion for trains. Our parents never instilled it in him,” said his older brother, Barry. “All I know is he was a train fanatic ever since I was old enough to remember. You couldn’t take a step in our parents’ basement without tripping over models.” As Mr. Schneider grew up, he journeyed constantly to the East Coast and across the Midwest, photographing the regions’ last surviving steam trains. His collection grew to more than 10,000 pictures and hundreds of antique model rail cars. Mr. Schneider worked for more than 15 years at Kane Graphical Corp., a West Side manufacturer of display signs. But he spent much of his off time with other members of the Illinois Live Steamers Club and the Salt Creek Society of Model Engineers, his brother said. “He loved the history, the beauty and the adventure of the old trains,” his brother said. “It took him to a different world.” Other survivors include another brother, Philip, and a sister, Linda. Services have been held.
