Rich Melvin began his railroading career in 1966, on the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad. He worked out of the P&LE's Gateway Yard in Struthers, Ohio for several years before being laid off due to a slow-down in business. In 1968 Rich enlisted in the Army. While in the Army, he worked in television studios at West Point and at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Rich was honorably discharged in 1972. In 1978 Rich formed Hopewell Productions, a video production company which produced many steam train videos in the 80s and 90s, including several about the 765. Rich joined the 765 crew during the winter of 1982-83. In 1985 Rich took over the Operations Manager's position with the 765 crew. In that position he worked with various host railroads to plan every move the 765 made between 1985 and 2016. In 1996 Rich went to work for the Ohio Central Railroad. He was assigned as an engineer on their Youngstown (Ohio) Division. In 2004 Rich was promoted to Superintendent of Operations of the Youngstown Division. He held that position through 2008 when he resigned from the railroad to pursue other interests. Rich was also a commercial pilot, flying aircraft for several different corporate clients over the years, including the Ohio Central Railroad. His last assignment was flying a King Air 350 for its owner until April 28, 2019, when he flew his last flight and retired from flying. Rich made his last run as engineer on the 765 on September 25, 2016. With 18 members of his family on board the train and his two grandsons in the 765's cab with him, Rich ran his final trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Cleveland, Ohio. Rich's grandsons Matthew and Nathaniel had their hands on the whistle along with Rich for a last, long whistle blast which marked the end of Rich's 50-year railroad career and his time on the 765 crew. Rich and his wife Linda will celebrate 52 years together in 2020. They live in Hilliard, Ohio and enjoy traveling the country in their motor home.
