By Railfan & Railroad Staff

PASADENA, Calif. — Stan Kistler, a talented photographer who captured the transition from steam to diesel on the Santa Fe Railway like few others, died on September 29. He was 91 years old. 

Kistler grew up in southern California and took his first railroad photo at age 12 in 1943. His hometown railroad, the Santa Fe, quickly became a favorite and he would make many memorable images along the railroad starting in the mid-20th century. His work would later be preserved and presented in two books: “Santa Fe: Steel Rails Through California” that he co-authored with Don Duke in 1963, and “Stan Kistler’s Santa Fe in Black and White” in 2009. His work also appeared in numerous magazines over the decades. He was also recognized for his work by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, which gave him the prestigious Railroad History Award for Photography in 1996.  

Kistler’s black & white and color images have been preserved by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art and will be digitized in the coming years.

Kistler’s wife Brenda passed away earlier this year. He is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.