WESTERN PACIFIC Jl.:f!J~1?!JSfs

~k· ~bt Q!) THE BUDD CARS ARE ROLLING

Vol. II, No. 3 OCTOBER, 1950 With the first eastbound departure The model selected contains a 17 -foot of the new Budd cars on September baggage compartment and seats 70 Department of Pu bli c Relations 15, Western Pacific began operation of passengers. This action was followed WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD a 100 per cent streamlined passenger in a matter of hours by the NYC, who SACRAMENTO NORTHERN RAILWAY TIDEWATER SOUTHERN RAILWAY service. The first westbound Zephyr­ ordered two RDC- l's (all passenger 52b Mission -St reet, San Francisco 5 ette left Salt Lake City on September carrying cars). Since that time orders Lee "Flash" Sherwood, Editor • Arthur Lloyd , Jr., ~s~ociate Editor 17. The cars operate in each direction were placed by the C&NW, PRR, B&O, Member American Railway Magazine Editors' AssocIatIon on a triweekly (Sunday, Wednesday, and NYS&W. and Friday) schedule, departing from For Western Pacific, the advent of Oakland Pier at 7: 57 p. m. and Salt the modern self-propelled diesel rail I N D EX Lake. City at 7: 30 a. m. Running time Page car presents a solution to an extremely eastbound is 22 hours and 48 minutes, knotty problem of passenger service. The Budd Cars Are Rolling 3, 4, 5, 6 while westbound the run takes 23 Its main line extends from Oakland to hours and 30 minutes. Salt Lake City, 928 miles. Two- thirds Meet Our General Chairmen 7 8 The two modern self- propelled rail Railroad Hour Winter Format diesel cars, Model RDC- 2, were pur­ R ear view of the car shows electric marker lights 9 and Mars, red oscillating taillight. Winged emblem In the Good Old Days chased from the Budd Company, was put on by Mechanical Department to match 10,11 other WP power. Don't Be Half Safe! Philadelphia, designers and builders of the cars used in the California That's a Good Question! 11 12,13, 14 Zephyr, at a cost of $130,000 each. Up the Ladder . Prior to placing the order with the 14 Mileposts in Gold . Budd Company, Western Pacific put WP Employee Killed in Korea 16 the demonstrator (RDC-l) car in trial 16 revenue service, operating over the In the Armed Forces 600-mile run between Portola, Cali­ 17- 24 incl. Caboosing . fornia, and Salt Lake City during the 25- 28 incl. The Rape of Our Roads period January 18-27, thus being the 29,30,31 first railroad to have one of the cars Sports . 32 in actual service. Prior to this oper­ Railroad Lines ation, the car had toured the country, Ch' . N d Michelson Elko' Robert Munce Jr .. Los making short exhibition runs for inter­ CORRESPONDENTS: Bill McGra.th, lcago. '11:~ Fared Kreuger' Sacra~ento; Madge Sl n.ughtner, Angeles; Hazel Petersen, Oakland; SHelen Small'S~ro~l G~rdon Halvorse~ Sacramento NOllhCln : Jimmy ested railroad officials. Sacramento Shops; Irene Burton, ac:ament~ ore. Moll Fa an 'Lawrence Gcrdnlt. J1m Mills, Collins. Bob Gonsalves, Salt Jrak;'hC:lir~ Rst:n ~~~~~fs'cor; ctias. H~ Myers, San Jose; Vlqc1n h, Rustan, The success of the test was indicated Maurice Notter, Carl Rath, Du ~YD ,e Me s, Tidewater Southern; Shirley Lee, W end ovcl . Gene Trace, Stockton. ora onroe, by prompt placement of an order for the first Budd car to be purchased. ~7 M II . I'. I'OSTS 2 MILEPOSTS 3 for about one-half the cost of a con­ of this mileage lies in Nevada and Utah, ice held last January. Seats were re­ ventional train of equivalent appoint­ where population and related passen­ moved from one end and a temporary ments. The two 275-horsepower diesel ger traffic potential is sparse. The baggage compartment was so con­ engines, driving through torque con­ now famous and extremely successful structed that the interior trim and verters, provide for smooth, rapid ac­ Vista-dome California Zephyrs, intro­ decorations of the car were untouched. celeration. The engines operate at duced in March of 1949, were designed Since the demonstrator model pos­ ~bout 70 per cent capacity, except dur­ to attract the long-haul passenger, and sessed no baggage doors for the period mg starts, so general wear and tear is feature a daylight schedule through of the test, all head-end business had slight. Budd's engineers figure that the scenic Feather River Canyon. At to be handled via the conventional vestibule doors. The Railway Express they can run for 4,000 hours without this time local trains, Nos. 1 and 2, major' overhauls. were established to perform the serv­ Agency assisted by diverting, wher­ ices that the Zephyrs fixed consist and ever possible, shipments of unusual As long ago as 1938, Budd started fast schedule made impossible. De­ size or livestock. With the co-operation work on a new kind of brake which spite all efforts, the financial return on of the Budd Company's service engi­ would not only last longer, but make these local trains was extremely dis­ neers, a welded stainless steel sheathed less noise. Usual brakes consist of appointing, resulting in a loss ap­ pilot was designed and attached to the metal shoes that clamp onto the rim proaching a million dollars a year. front of the car, replacing the truck­ of the wheels. The idea of metal touch­ mounted pilots which, while satisfac­ ing metal seemed abhorrent to Budd To explore the capabilities of the tory for commuter service, was un­ so he constructed thick discs which Budd car, special arrangements were suited for main line service in moun­ circle the axles just inside each of the made with the Budd Company to wheels. Brake shoes made of non­ modify temporarily the demonstrator tainous terrain. metallic, but sturdy material, clamp Collapsible conductor's desk is located at rear of car. model and to equip it for the test serv- In the test, which included runs cresting the Sierra Nevadas at Beck­ onto the sides of this disc, much the wourth Pass, traversing the Nevada same way hand brakes work on a bi­ compact torque-converters save about desert and then descending from the cycle. As a result, the brakes are 12,000 pounds over the standard en­ plateau to the floor of the Great Salt supposed to last for 10,000 miles with­ gine-to -generator - to - electric traction Lake Desert where it crosses the out change of linings, as against four motor setup. Bonneville Salt Flats on a 43-mile tan­ to six thousand miles for standard shoe Before being placed in service the gent, the RDC-1 acted as a complete clasps and it takes only 62 seconds to cars were sent to Sacramento shops train and proved to be an adequate replace one. for mechanical and other improve­ substitute for the usual steam-powered Stainless steel construction reduced ments in order to make the cars more consist of two or more conventional body maintenance while easy replace­ adaptable to Western Pacific service. cars. ment and repair of the diesel engines Electric water coolers were installed Traffic-wise, the Budd car presents simplify motive power maintenance. in the car, as well as additional toilet an attractive appearance. Its stainless In 6,000 miles of test service, the car and hot water facilities, and outlets for steel construction makes it a fitting averaged 2.8 miles per gallon of diesel additional lights for convenience of the supplement to the California Zephyrs. fuel at a cost of slightly more than passengers. Eight photo murals de­ For this reason, Western Pacific has three cents per mile. Fuel cost for picting scenes in the Feather River dubbed the cars Zephyrette. Equipped stearn locomotives used in similar Canyon, have been placed in each car with air conditioning and thermo­ service averages 22 cents per mile. For which decoration adds much to the at~ statically controlled heati ng, it affords a one-unit train the RDC is amazingly tractiveness of the cars' interiors, Re­ a comfortable ride summ I' 0 1' winter. light, and this helps account for the clining seats have been installed in the Temperatures wcll blow z'ro were fast acceleration and high speed. Budd center compartment of one car for the encountered during th t st nllls with­ engineers saved 3,000 pounds per truck use of through passengers, and the by welding up a lightweight assembly Mirror provides good rear visibility for engineer. out any discomfort to th pllsscngers. second car will be so equipped as Comfortable chair-style seat was installed at Sacra­ Cost-wis , th cal' can h op rated instead of using solid castings. The soon as material is received from the mento Shops. MILEPOSTS 4 M lL1U'OSTS 5 and a desk and hot plate added for use of the baggage man. These improvements were developed (This is the third of a series of articles about and engineered by W. B. Wolverton, Western Pacific's General Chairmen. Personalities of the employees serving as General Chairmen for mechanical engineer, assisted by Mar­ the other railroad labor organizations, as well as the 14 chairmen who are not W P employees, will appear shall Brown, chief draftsman, and R. E. in future issues of MILEPOSTS.) Schriefer, shop engineer. Preliminary preparations and test runs were ar­ Frank James, gene'ral chairman of ranged by Colin C. Kdridge, assistant the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, to the general manager. was born in Placer County, J anuary 18, 1904. He moved to Oroville with ZEPHYRETTE SCHED ULES his family in 1906, where he attended grammar and high school. TRAIN No. 2 DEPARTURE TIME TRAIN No.1 (Sun., W ed .• Fri.) ( Mon. • Thurs., Sat. ) Frank entered employment with the 7: 30 PM San Francisco (Ferry) 7: 35 AM Western Pacific on June 26, 1920, as a 7:57 Oakland Pier ...... 7:15 call boy, and thereafter held various 8:08 Oakland (3d&Wshtn) 6:49 positions of baggageman and train f 8:40 Hayward ...... 6:08 f f 8:53 Niles ...... 5:55 f desk clerk at Oroville and Portola. f 9: 10 Pleasanton .... 5: 37 f In May 1928, he went to Sacramento f 9: 19 Livermore 5: 28 f as assistant train and enginemen's f 9:51 Carbona 4:56 f 10:27 Stockton ...... 4:26 timekeeper in the superintendent's 10: 51 Thornton 4: 01 office, and worked in various positions 11:27 Sacramento . .... 3:25 there until 1936, when he went to the 12: 22 AM Marysville ...... 2: 33 Sacramento freight station as bill and 1: 02 Oroville ...... 2: 00 Frank James f 2:14 Pulga ...... 12:37 f interchange clerk, remaining on that 3:01 Belden ...... 11:47 PM position throughout the war years, built up an extensive collection of 3: 47 Keddie ...... 10: 59 until 1946. During that year he was stamps, his chief hobby, although he Interior view shows two of the eight large photo 4:07 Quincy Junction ...... 10:39 murals installed in each car. assigned to the position of rate clerk enjoys hunting and fishing whenever 4: 32 Sloat ...... 10: 12 4: 50 Blairsden 9: 55 and subsequently to that of train desk time permits. factory. The front and back stationary 5:15 (Ar) Portola ...... (Dp) 9:30 clerk, which position he held at the He has few plans for retirement be­ portions of these seats are equipped (MEAL STOP) time of his election to the position of yond the development of the walnut with foot rests which may be folded 5: 55 (Dp) Portola ...... (Ar) 8: 50 general' chairman in June 1947, after orchard where he lives. He feels that 6:20 Reno Junction. . 8:22 upward and backward to an out-of­ 6:50 Doyle ...... 7:55 having acted as division chairman and this will be the ideal spot on which to the-way position when not in use. 7:03 Herlong ... 7:38 financial secretary - treasurer to the retire in future years. Special fish racks were installed in the 8: 25 Gerlach . . 6: 20 Western Pacific System Board of the baggage compartment for convenience 9: 05 Sulphur .... 5: 39 Brotherhood for many years, in ad­ 9:33 Jungo .... 5:15 "NATCH" in handling shipments of iced fish, and 10:25 Winnemucca ..... 4:35 dition to his position of secretary to his Last summer a high school boy was gyro lights added in front and rear for 11: 24 Battle Mountain . 3: 26 local Brotherhood of Railway Clerks earnestly filling out an application additional safety. Lighted numbers, 12:53 (Ar) Elko ...... (Dp.) 2:00 from 1931 to 1947. for employment. Several questions 375 and 376, were installed on the roofs (MEAL STOP) 1' 30 (Dp) Elko ...... (Ar) 1:23 Frank resides in Carmichael, Cali­ seemed to puzzle him. The personnel of the cars, and the front ends re­ 2:23 Wells ...... 12:16PM fornia, with his wife, Elizabeth, his son, manager , noticing the boy's trouble, painted to match other power. 3' 18 Shafter ...... 11:17 AM Lawrence, who attends high school, went over to help him. The first thing For the convenience and comfort of 4:25 Wendover ...... 10:05 and daughter Betty and son William, 5:36 Delle ...... 8:34 that caught his eye was the blank the crews, water coolers were installed 6:45 P M Salt Lake City.. . .. 7:30 AM who attend the Carmichael grammar marked "Salary Desired?". Next to it in the cabs of each car as well as East of Oroville, Trains No.1 and No. 2 school. was written, "Yes."-The Pullman modern well-cushioned engineer's will stop on fl ag at any stati on to receive or During his spare time Frank has News. seats. A conductor 's desk was built in, discharge passengers. MI L E PO STS 7 6 MILEPOSTS ~+~~~~~++~~~~~+~

Monday night, October 2 marked miliar as their delightful musical ro­ ~ MI 1'1~ ~I!!J~~ ~~!!IJ ~Ai~ ~ the return to its regular winter format mances. Victor Herbert, Rudolf Friml, + + of the Railroad Hour, starring Gordon Oscar Strauss, Gilbert and Sullivan, Jl(+~~~~~++~~~~~+}Roberta," "Wizard of Oz," and The Railroad Hour is among the se­ "The Fortune Teller." A specially­ lect few radio programs recommended written Christmas program will be by community radio councils, educa­ presented on December 25. tional groups and parent teacher or­ The names of the composers whose ganizations, which list it in bulletins works will be heard on the Railroad and membership mailings as highly Hour are, in many instances, as fa- desirable for family listening. Among the show's most ardent supporters are Chorus, directed by Norman Luboff. provides vocal support for baritone star Gordon MacRae (at the music teachers, librarians and profes­ microphone) . sional musicians. One of its greatest compliments was a telephone call from the world-famous violinist, Fritz Kreisler, who had just listened to his £nX1.N the fall of 1910, W estern Pacific's first passenger train, the Overland own composition, the operetta "Apple '-./ VJ Express, was a little short on passengers. California Zephyrs, with pas- Blossoms," with MacRae and Dorothy senger waiting lists, were just a dream. But, in the days of "23 Skidoo" Kirsten. He said, "It was beautifully -as today-romance was in bloom, and the excitement of a train ride thrilled done, and I enjoy your show week young and old, as evidenced by the entranced expression on the young man til after week." short pants. M ILEPO ST S 9 Don'l Be BALF Safe! By HOMER BRYAN

Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over a are 30 deaths caused by 740 home, 200 lantern that burned up 17,000 Chicago store, 91 factory, 8 church, 7 school, buildings in 1871. Since then there have and 3 hospital fires. The forest area been so many fires caused by the annually burned over is equal to the thoughtlessness, neglect and procras­ area of the State of West Virginia. Can EDITOR, August 22, 1910. As Arizona arid New Mexico did not become states until tination of beings endowed with sup­ we be indifferent to such a tragic waste MILEPOSTS: 1912, the flags in the picture techni­ posedly much greater intelligence that of human life and material resources? The August issue of MILEPOSTS says the cow can not well be held up to cally should show only 46 stars. How­ Certainly we should not be! that Western Pacific's first passenger scorn. ever, a check with the San Francisco Let us look at the cause of some of train arrived in Oakland on August Let's look at the causes and conse­ Public Library and several local flag the fires of 1949: 22, 1910, while the flags appearing in quences of fires in which Mrs. O'Leary manufacturers reveals that the appar­ Fires the picture on page 12 shows 48 stars. and her cow had no part: ent answer to this question is that the S,?"oking and matches...... 91,000 Arizona and New Mexico did not Eleven thousand Americans die Misuse o£ electricity...... 70,200 flag manufacturers in 1910 knew the become states until 1912, and stars are needlessly and more than twice that De£ective heating equipmenL ... 49,500 two states were soon to be admitted Careless handling and use of not added to the flag until July 4th number are severly burned each year. to the Union and replenished their inflammable liquids...... 41,800 following the month of the state's ad­ About 70 per cent of the fatalities are depleted stocks of U. S. flags with those Defective or overheated mission. women and children. Every day there chimneys and flues ...... 25,800 showing 48 stars in anticipation of Children playing with matches.. 24,200 What is the answer to this apparent future sales. Sparks on roo£s ...... 23,500 discrepancy? w.estern Pacific, too, always looks " y J. C. Miller, Engineering Dept. PelY no mind to the Safety Rules Whether at work or in the home ahead! there are many things that we can d~ ANSWER: We both are correct. WP's first pas­ Instructor: "What happens when a human body said CdrmQ~ Fedrless Ired· to improve such a record of destruc­ is completely immersed in water?" senger train did arrive in Oakland on Student: "The phQne rings." He didntusehis silly blue flag-- tion. A few of the important ones are: I ' Smoking and Matches . . . Use friction Now Fearlessfred is dead. lighters and safety matches wherever away from it. Keep smoke pipes clean metal cans to hold necessary collections possible. Keep matches where small and in good repair. Always look to fires of rubbish. Do not let r ubbish accumu­ children can't reach them. Cultivate before leaving a building or retiring. late in the shop, plant or in the home. careful smoking habits. Don't smoke in Fires start quickly in rubbish piles and the garage or attic, nor in areas posted Careless Handling of and Use of In­ flammable Liquids . .. Gasoline is often spread rapidly. Put hot ashes in metal "No Smoking." Never smoke in bed! handled casually, yet it is more treach­ cans only, never in paper or wooden Misuse of Electricity . .. Don't leave erous than dynamite! Use it only for containers, and do not keep such con­ electric irons with the current on. Be the purposes for which it is intended; tainers near any combustible materials. sure any wiring is done by a competent Good housekeeping in the home, in electrician. Keep appliance cords as Le., fuel for engines or lights that are designed for its use. Never bring gaso­ the plant, and on the road, is one of the short as possible and be sure to replace line, benzine or similar inflammable most effective fire prevention activities. them when they become the least bit liquids into the home for any purpose. Every day needless fires are burning worn or frayed. Fuses are the safety people to death, out of jobs and out of valve for a wiring system-use proper Use carbon tetrachloride for small cleaning jobs. Send extensive cleaning homes. We hear a lot about security. sizes, never a substitute. to the cleaners. Do not use kerosene or We can do much with a little thought Defective Heating Equipment .. . gasoline to start fires in stoves. and care to make more secure our jobs, Have heating equipment checked an­ Rubbish Fires . . . Provide covered our homes and our lives. nually. Keep combustible materials MILEPOSTS 11 10 MILEPOSTS UP THE LADDER children by a tormer marriage, David J., J r., an ensign in the United States Upon the retirement of Carl W. Ellis Navy Air Corps, stationed at Pensa­ May, 1944, and remained on that job cola, Florida, and a daughter, Mrs. on July 31, Fred A. Tegeler, Jr., was until October, 1945. appointed signal engineer, with head­ Jeanne Clark, a registered nurse prac­ Tegeler left Union Switch and Sig­ ticing at Alta Bates Hospital. quarters at San Francisco. nal Company in May, 1946, to accept Born May 30, 1918, at St. Joseph position as assistant signal engineer on Missouri, he completed an electrical the Western Pacific. He was appointed The promotion of L. J . Gosney to engineering course at K ansas Univer­ acting signal engineer on November 1, position of comptroller and general sity in 1940, following graduation from 1949, and assisted Mr. Ellis until his auditor has been announced, effective St. Joseph Junior College in 1937. He most recent appointment. September 1. L. J. Gosney M. M . Christy first entered railway service in 1937 Mr. Tegeler lives in Corte Madera Born in Lyonsville, Tehama County, man and boatman, and also enjoys a working during summer vacation~ (Marin County) with his wife and two California, September 3, 1903, Gosney game of golf when time permits. When with CB&Q signal forces, from which children. received his education in schools in at home, many of his spare hours will he obtained a leave of absence each that vicinity including Sacramento find him in his home workshop. year to return to school and complete High School, and a course at Heald's Effective September 1, David J. He is a member of Fairmont Lodge his education. He entered the CB&Q Business College night school at Sac­ Spowart was appointed auditor of No. 435, Free and Accepted Masons, signal engineer's office in Chicago in ramento, following which he continued equipment service accounts, under the California Consistory of the Scot­ November, 1940, as circuit draftsman. whose supervision is maintained a home study in accounting for twelve years. tish Rite, and the Islam Temple of the In March, 1941, Tegeler entered the complete record of Western Pacific Shrine. employ of Union Switch and Signal cars and equipment. In 1919, he went to work as a clerk Company as apprentice engineer and Born at Ansqnia, Connecticut, April for the Sacramento Northern Railroad in November of that year began ~ork 9, 1897, Spowart first entered railroad at Sacramento, and in 1920 became a M. M. Christy has been appointed as field engineer on centralized traf­ service July 10, 1910, as an office boy machinist's apprentice for the South­ executive assistant, with duties as as­ fic control work and coded track in­ in the office of Auditor of Equipment ern Pacific in that city. Serving as signed by the president. Coming to Western P acific in Janu­ stallations. After working in this ca­ Service Accounts for the Southern Pa­ hostler, fireman and conductor for the ary, 1949, as traveling accountant, pacity on several railroads, including cific Company. After holding various Diamond Match Company at Stirling positions in that office until September, City for one year, he returned to the after two years' employment in the large installations on the Seaboard motor transport industry in the mid­ Airline, Atlantic Coast Line, P ennsyl­ 1918, he left to accept a position with Sacramento Northern in 1923, working in various positions in the accounting west, Chris was promoted to auditor vania and Milwaukee, he was assigned the W. R. Grace Steamship .Company, import and export department. department from clerk to head ac­ of payroll accounts on May 1, 1949, to work on the original CTC installa­ After returning to the Southern Pa­ countant. In 1931, when the S.N. ac­ and to position of assistant to general tion in the Feather River Canyon in cific in January, 1921, he worked in counting was taken over by Western auditor on August 1 of that year. the office of the chief engineer until Pacific, he was assigned to position of Born May 26, 1917, at Seattle, Wash­ July, 1923, when he resigned to enter agents' and conductors' clerk until his ington, he attended the University of service of the Western Pacific as head promotion to traveling accountant in Washington and graduated from the clerk, car records, advancing to chief 1937. After three years in this position University of Minnesota with the de­ clerk to the superintendent of trans­ he was made special accountant for the gree of B.B.A. in transportation, portation. Promoted to position of su­ general auditor, was promoted to as­ graduating "with high distinction." perintendent of car service in 1944 he sistant general auditor in 1946 and be­ Prior to World War II, Christy served in that capacity until his re~ent came general auditor in 1948, in which worked primarily in the public utili­ appointment. capacity he remained until his most ties field, and was purchasing agent On July 1, 1940, D ave married recent promotion. and merchandise manager for the Audrey M. Melbin, a former employee Mr. Gosney lives in San F rancisco Alaska Electric Light and Power Com­ F. A. Tegeler D. J. Spow,rt of the Western Pacific. He has two with his wife. He is an ardent fisher- pany, Juneau, Alaska, prior to entry

12 MILEPOSTS MILEPO STS 13 MILEPOSTS IN GOLD

Western Pacific congratulates the following employees to whom Service Pin Awards were made during the month of September, 1950: 3S-YEAR PIN Charles W. Long...... ______Agent-Telegrapher______." Western Division 30-YEAR PINS Sampson Etchebehere._ .... __ __ ...... __ ... .. Stationary Engineer..... ___ .. _... _____ ._ ...... ___ . __ .. Mechanical Dept. Glen B . Gorham.___ _. ___ ...... Locomotive Engineer.___ .. _...... _.... __.. _.... -.. Eastern Division Edward M. Hansen...... __ ..... Chief Ticket Clerk...... __ . . ... ___ ...... __ .Passenger Dept. J. M. McCracken. __ ... ______. ______.... Brakeman... .. ___ ...... ____ ...... __ _Western Division Shelby]. Perry__ .... _._ ... ___ . __ ...... __ .... Locomotive Engineer.__ __ ...... ____ ... '_... __...... Eastern Division Arthur J. Piers______Dispatcher______Eastern Division Clifford B. Rushmer______.Designine Engineer______Engineering Dept. Cecil G. 'Trumbo ___ _._ ____ ._. ______. ______Locomotive Engineer ______.. ___ . ____ ._. ____ .. ______. __ . __ .Eastern Division Leonidas T . T r uro.____ _ . __ Clerk __ •...••.. _...... ___ . ___ ._ ...... _.. . _. __ . ____ Western Division Donald T. W oods_ __ .. _Locomotive Engineer... ___... . __ .Eastern Division 2S-YEAR PINS Arthur W . Clays ______. ____ . ____ .Switchman.. __.... ____ ...... __ ..... __ ... __ . __ . __ .. __ ... _.. Western Division William D. Edgerton.. __ .. ____ ._ ____ ... Conductor.. .. __ ...... _. __ .... __ ...... _..... __ ._. Western Division Hugh Edmunds ______._. ______. __ . __ Conductor ...... __ ..... _. .. _._ .... __ ._._ .. ____ ._._._. _.... ______. Eastern Division Harry Main, Jr.-----­ ____ _. ______._ .. __ Locomotive Engineer __ .... __ ...... ____ . _____ .. ___ ._. _...... Western Division Carlos W. Mangum_ ___ . General Agent______Oakland Grace Phillips_...... _.... Secretary to General Agent.... __ ...... San Francisco 20-YEAR PINS Glenn E . Fo·x __ ..... ____ . ___ ... _ ____ .. Conductor..... _...... _____ .. _. ______.. __ . ______.. _.. __ .Eastern Division This miniature California Zephyr train gave Western Pacific second. place award in the Ber~~ley Foot­ William P. Peacock.... _.______Section·Foreman ...... _____ .______... Western Division ball Festival parade, Friday evening, September 22, for which the company received a large gold trophy. Ray W. Rich ____ .. ______..... ______yardmaster ...... _____ . __ ._._ .. _ _.Western Division Two weeks before, the little train traveled up Market Street in San Francisco's Adm.ission Day parade. Paul F. Werner.. .. __ ...... ______...... _._ ._. __ ... Telegrapher...... _...... ______San Francisco George F. yarrington.... __ ...... _...... Conductor.... __ ._ .. _. ______.. __ .. _...... _. __ . __.... __ __ _. Western Division with children of WP employe.es as " passengers." IS-YEAR PINS The train was constructed to scale by Ray Maker, of Oakland. and operates under its own power. Chil­ Marion T . Clark ______._ .... _. Division Accountant ______. __ Eastern Division dren come for miles around to ride on the famous streamliner when it is on exhibition at various markets Howard J aeger ..... _. ___ ...... ______Transit Clerk ______. __ ... ___ .. _..... _... _.. _ . ______.Auditor's Office and amusement places around the Bay Area. Nicholas J. Laughlin ______. Conductor ____ .. _._. ______... __ _ _. ______. Western Division Elmer L. Partain __ .... Conductor... _._ ...... ______.Western Division Thomas Peesko .. _. _____ . ______.. ______.Traffic Representative.. _. ___ .. _ _Seattle. Washington IO-YEAR PINS Philip L . Cameron __ . ______. __ .. _._ .. ______.. Conductor.. _... ___ . ___ .. _. Eastern D!v!s!on Robert C. Heitkamp._. ____ .. Conductor ___ .. ______. ___ .. _ _ . _____ .. ______.Eastern DIVlsion Lloyd W. Hurd ______Brakcman ______.. Eastern Division Fred L. McElroy ______Agent-Telegrapher. ______Eastern Division Anthony V . Quill ______. Clerk ______.... __ __ ...... Transportation Dept. WP employees are eligible to receive their first Service Pin after 10 years of service with the company. Each five years thereafter your pin may be EXCHANGED for one in tho next higher bracket. Let your supervisor know when you are entitled to receive a pin. on active duty with the Army in 1941. latter position that he directly super­ Army service included duty with the vised all Army transportation activi­ Transportation Corps and General ties on the Alaska Railroad. Staff Corps in various operating and Married, Chris lives in San Fran­ staff capacities including service as cisco with his wife and two children. Chief Transportation Officer, Alaskan His hobbies consist of deep sea fish­ Theater of Operations. It was in the ing, skiing and mountain climbing.

14 MILEPOSTS WP EMPLOYEE KILLED Besides his mother, Mrs. Bonnie Grover, he is survived by two brothers, IN KOREA James Sweetwood, a World War II Believed to be the first Nevadan, as veteran, and Bud Sweetwood, carman well as the first Western Pacific em­ for Western Pacific at Elko. All are ployee, to be killed in action in Korea residents of Elko. A sister, Mrs. Claude ea&oosing Charles O. Sweetwood, 21, was re~ Barnes, lives in Redding, California. ported lost in action September 8 while serving with the First Cavalry Division San Jose A trip to Topeka and Kansas City near Taegu, southern Korea. was enjoyed by diesel supervisor JOHN IN THE ARMED The local freight office staff put on Born August 31, 1929, Charles en­ an impromptu celebration on Sep­ F. FLYNN and family. John reports a tered Western Pacific service October FORCES tember 19 when they learned that good trip, cool weather with some rain, and the wheat harvest in full The following Western Pacific agent GEORGE D. KEYES entered West­ J ern P acific service forty years ago. swing, making· the country especially employees are now serving in the beautiful. Armed Forces: A birthday cake, complete with candles, was presented to Mr. Keyes A journey to Portland, Oregon, and FRANK S. CLAWSON return along the beautiful coast line Assistant Accountant, Elko while the staff trooped into his office singing "Happy Birthday to You!" where "the fish were biting," made a JAMES C. DAVIS nice trip for car foreman E. C. EAGER Switchman, Wendover George began his service in 1910 at GUILDO P . FEDERIGHI and wife during the latter part of Sep­ Messenger-Janitor, Sacramento Oroville before that station was built tember. JOHNG.FoRD and literally transacted business on ~ Roundhouse foreman R. T. RONAN, Ticket Clerk, Elko drygoods box until facilities were com­ according to good reports, went deer CLYDEE. GALLAGHER pleted. Machinist, Sacramento hunting. Following his good example, MELVIN R. HELMICK Oroville JOE WEST, S. M. NOBLE, J . W. WALSH, Clerk, Reno and F . E. WHEELER , all of the car de­ PETER L. JOSSERAND Switchman FRED SMITH entered St. Signalman, Traveling Outfit Car Joseph's Hospital in San Francisco the partment, took off for the hills in WILLIAM N. MORTENSEN latter part of August for surgery. Re­ search of the elusive bucks. In case Carman, Oakland turning home September 11, he ex­ you have any extra venison, gentle­ KEITH A. PETERSON men, .. . ahem! Assistant Timekeeper, Elko pects to recuperate for about a month HARRY SARAFAIN and then return to work as good as Following his vacation, R. T. RONAN, Stenographer -Clerk new. Western Pacific's general chairman of San Francisco the American Railway Supervisors DONALD W . SMALES Many in the ranks have been vaca­ Charles o. S weetwood Association, left October 7 for Chi­ File Clerk, Elko tioning the past few weeks, among cago to attend the National Con- 24, 1946, as a carman helper, and upon W . J. SOREL them baggageman-caller H. R. MAC­ being furloughed in January 1947 he Revising Clerk (SN), Oakland vention. ' OSCAR J . STREETER AFEE and wife who ambled around joined the Army. After serving three Yard Clerk, Elko Northern California. years with occupation forces in Japan, HENRY DE P . TELLER Road foreman of engines N. F . he returned home and, re-enlisted Claim Investigator, San Francisco ROBERTS and wife took a new Buick early in the spring of 1950 and was OCTOBER COVER to Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Yosemite again sent to Japan, from whence he Engineer L . W . Woods Park, San Francisco, and Rockaway gets ready to depart from was sent to Korea at the outbreak of . Mileposts will be forwarded to all Elko on the eastbound Beach, enjoying the scenery and a little trip after a 40-minute the war. WP employees entering the service of golf, NFR's favorite pastime. stop for lunch . The A native of Elko, Charles received their co untry, including overseas assign­ Zephyrette also makes a Engineer O. W. HEARING and wife 40-minute stop at Elko his education in the Elko schools be­ ments, if they will keep the editor ad­ on the westbound trip have just returned from a wonderful and similar stops ar~ fore coming to Western Pacific. vised of their military addresses. made at Portola fo r rest at Derelict Springs, California. breakfast and dinner . . 16 MILEPOSTS ------.....-.

Brakeman JACK LATHAM returned Signal engineer F. A. TEGELER spent bel' of relays must be reconditioned from a fifteen-day visit with relatives a week of his vacation at his former and that comes first. and friends in Lubbock, Amarillo and home in St. Joseph, Missouri, after at­ JOHN F . QUINN, one of the last eligi­ Dalhart, Texas, and reported he had a tending the AAR convention in New ble bachelors in the engineering de­ fine trip. York City. partment, was married to Frances P . Those new cars rolling in and about In talking with HOMER BRYAN, our Strate in Winnemucca at 9: 12 p. m. on Oroville are conductor J. FLETCHER'S safety first expert, retired engineer September 12. Quietly performed, with Oldsmobile and yardmaster "Boss" A. G. BECKER stated he had been con­ no fanfare, they were married by Jus­ BONNER'S Dodge. fined to the hospital for two months tice of the Peace Jack Hubbard, and Switchman CHARLES HINCH took a after having been bitten by a spider were attended by Mrs. Hubbard and vacation from chasing box cars to in a mountain cabin. Becker says, "I the manager of the Sonoma Inn. After chasing deer. Reports are he didn't get can't take it any more. Why, in the old R. c. Beltz, VP-GM office mgr., received $1.00 for a short honeymoon they returned to photo taken in his back yard in Berkeley_ Bell was their apartment at 1755 Pine Street, a buck, but he did bring home about days the spider would have died!" removed from a 2-8-0 Baldwin locomotive, No.6, built in 1906. and on Monday afternoon were pre­ 30 pounds of nice bass from down Our underground reporter has found sented with an "Ostermaster" by the Suisun way. out that MR. and MRS. KENNETH LEWIS, gang at the office with all best wishes. General clerk-warehouseman MEL­ executive office, are now taking up until recently re-employed for vaca­ VIN R. HELMICK stopped off in Oroville folk dancing. Must have been watch­ tion reliefs. A Marine in WW -2, he ROBERT HULLMAN, new secretary to en route to Fort Eustis, Lee Hall, Vir­ ing the dancers on SID HENRICKSON'S saw action in the South Pacific. FRANK WOOLFORD, chief engineer, en­ ginia, to visit his father, carman JOHN new television set. Another extra T&T operator at GO tered on his duties September 25. Bob HELMICK, and family. Mel reported to Now, JOE VALERGA, also of the presi­ is JOAN MAVITY, daughter of second hails from P rtland, has been in the Fort Ord for induction service on dent's office, is saving his nickels and trick wire chief PUMPHREY. Joan city only a few weeks, and is now August 30. dimes for a TV set. But no folk dancing worked for WP during the last war a "native." Married, under 30, very San Francisco for him. A great sports enthusiast, h e and while on vacation from UC, where efficient and sharing good looks and she studied X-ray. Returning to WP charm, Bob also drives his own car. Mr. and Mrs. FLOYD YOKUM were wants to watch-of all things-the lady after serving as an expert X-ray tech­ He takes over the duties of TOMMY recent visitors to the signal depart­ ( ?) wrestlers! Says they're terrific. nician at California Hospital in San ment. Floyd, signal maintainer at The girls in the transportation de­ Francisco, she is a welcome assistant Spring Garden, is still on the sick list partment said good-bye to CATHRYN during the CWTent man-power short­ from injuries sustained when his motor MEANS on September 8, who left for age of telegraphers and teletype oper­ car was caught in a rock slide last Seattle in a newly purchased, though January. . antiquated, Chevy. After a few easy ators. Quite a railroader. MAURICE "MOOSE" PAULSON is happy Twenty minutes after deer season lessons, she got her driver's license and to be working the T&T relief assign­ opened on September 16, ARNOLD took off. Arrived safely at horne, too, ment. After moving his family here SCHMITT, general CTC maintainer at b'gosh! from Keddie, he is regaining that Sacramento, got himself a new Buick Seen proudly driving around Oak­ "well-fed" look and now enjoys life and took off for the hills. We don't land Pier in a new Mercury was A. W. in Oakland. know what the bet was, but under­ ARNALL, conductor. "She's a honey," stand that CTC maintainer Walter claims Ace. Third trick wire chief and teletype Potts had to payoff on Arnold's good T&T operator EDWIN KOWSKE was technician CHARLIE PATE has been shooting. relieved by CARL LINDSEY, Quincy, wearing a very preoccupied look these Vacation time found JOHN GRASER, while enjoying his well-earned vaca­ days. He is busily engaged figuring signal department accountant, enjoy­ tion. Carl, formerly worked as day out a way to get the "hot" end of the ing his vacation up north, in Oregon, clerk, was promoted to T&T operator tape from the middle of a tape reel wP's Le(} Delventhall, Jr. (left), j(}ined AAR's while ELEANOR WHIT,E, stenographer, in GO and then went on the line to without having to rewind it onto an­ Kraska, SP's Schmidt, SFe's Erwin and AAR's other reel. Might be able to help you Ketchell, in a recent survey of carloading oper!l­ went southbound for her vacation in work at Keddie. Later resigning, he tions in California's canned goods industry to assist Los Angeles. joined the National Guard at Quincy out by Christmas, Charlie, but a num- that industry in prevention of freight clail11 damage.

18 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS 19 MEADER, on leave of absence because ing in Reno on October 7 announced of his physician's advice to move his the marriage of JOE BOOTHROYD, mail ~~~~======~ small son to a higher altitude. room, and his bride, the former Juanita MIKE CAPRARO, elevator operator, J elencich of San Francisco. Our best has returned from a four weeks' vaca­ wishes to the happy couple, who will tion, part of which time was spent near make their home in San Francisco. Los Gatos to improve his recent ill In the event you saw DURA CHESLEY, health. Hope your "ups and downs" LOIS HEIMAN or RUBY GORE, all of our will be limited to your job now, Mike. traffic department, busy behind a desk HILDING NILSSON, our most genial at H. Liebes department store during assistant building engineer, dropped WP working hours, it was all for a in to see his boss, BILL FISCHER, during good cause - obtaining signatures for vacation, and reports that Bill is com­ the Crusade for Freedom Drive. ing along fine after his recent illness, Oakland but won't be back to work until the The Pacific Coast Hull Association first of the year. Seems like a long time advises that WP's marine operation of since you were around, Bill, and we floating equipment on San Francisco think Hildie will agree! Bay is at the head of the safety list, Those wedding bells you heard ring- which achievement merits congratu­ lations to our Marine Department per­ sonnel. Weare pleased to accept into our marine organization the following new employees: NATHAN YALLOW, BOB "I assure you, Mr. Terwilligur, the railroad will mail you your small change if it is found!" PERRY, JACOB VAN DER BOON and HANS ALBERTSON, deckhands, and ALONZO home, while GERTIE HUTCHISON and Running into snow at Yellowstone, TAYLOR, fireman. husband fished up Klamath Falls way BRUCE and J UNE STILWELL continued LAUREL HERRICK of Castro Valley did and DON NAYLOR visited around Lake on their way to Bruce's home town of a nice job as relief in the trainmaster's County. Butte, Montana. office at Oakland during vacations. We welcome WILLIE WILLIAMS back JULIUS FRICK spent the second week New switchmen at Oakland and to his Oakland car desk after'working of his vacation at his uncle's ranch San Jose are: NORVAL WADLOW, PETER so long in San Francisco. up in the mountains above Jackson. MARVIN, ALEX CARLE, ALEX BLAIR, H. DAVERKOSEN is now back with us What's the attraction up there, Julius? CARL WORKMAN, Ross HEMINGER, ALAN at his old stamping grounds, taking Roy F ALQUIST was scheduled for a ETHERINGTON, GLEN HERSHINGER and over the revising desk, after spending vacation, but became sick and spent FRANK DIGNON. Welcome to Western a year at the Oakland freight office. the time in bed. Weare glad to report Pacific! Welcome back, Dave! he is much better and back to work PETE LUND is the new conductor of Store Department again. Better luck next year! the "Trevarno Local" and "engineer" Vacations are still in order. GLADYS TOMMY PINKHAM spent part of his of a beautiful new DeSoto. MORTON spent the second week of hers two weeks in Los Angeles. Probably EVELYN EAGLE, her husband and son at the Russian River. would have stayed longer if he had Bob, spent a very restful vacation at CARLOS PRIETO went fishing along met our LA reporter, BOB MUNCE, that Yosemite recently. Evelyn is demur­ the Sacramento River. He didn't say city's greatest booster! Correspondent Hazel Petersen gets $1.00 for this rage clerk at Oakland freight. CHARLIE how many fish he caught, but said he glamour. shot of H. E. Stapp, terminal trainmaster. Everyone had a tiny bite of the wee and his assistant, L . Foster, taken in Oakland yard. DAVIS elected to spend his vacation at had a restful week. birthday cake presented to CHARLES 20 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS 21 Holloday estate to inspect his two new MARCHAND on September 12. Charlie Los Angeles to break a local gambling house, but thoroughbred colts which, according to felt very good about the one candle are now back at work learning the Harry, will be the best race horses in For a while it looked as though GO stuck in the center. hard way. The Fitzgeralds went to the state of Utah. had moved to L.A. The occasion was ALMA KLEPSIG received the bid for the recent meeting of the Pacific Coast Pensacola and returned through the the position of purchase requisition H. RAY COULAM, general agent, is Transportation Advisory Board and Smokies. clerk, and MARCELLA KAHL takes over team chairman of the Metropolitan here to attend the sessions were: GERRY COFFEY took his two weeks the stenographer clerk position. Business District of the Community President WHITMAN, SN Prexy KEAR­ by spelling Ginny, the better half AL DABBS had the misfortune to have Chest Drive. A. W. SILFVAST, traffic NEY, V -P POULTERER, AFTM CURTISS, while she relaxed and he took care of his car struck while parked in front representative, is working under Ray GFA MITTELBERG, Manager Perishable the twins. Gerry was glad to get back of his home. The car was wrecked so as a team captain. Freight FAYE , Superintendent of to the office to rest! badly that he now drives his La Salle Something is wrong in the SLC Transportation GALLAGHER and Assist-· KEN RANK sold his home in Franklin instead of the Buick. Tough! trainmaster's office. First Trainmaster ant Freight Claim Agent GOHMERT. Park and next day bought a Chevrolet. We are sorry that MARIE HARRIS will H. L. MCGLOTHLIN was stricken and EARL WILLIAMS, formerly with WP Being unable to locate a new home of no longer be with us, as her husband confined to the hospital, where he and now the new California State the type they want, K en is thinking has been transferred to San Francisco, underwent a serious operation, then Traffic Manager, joined AFTM CUR­ of housing his family of six, three and the transfer will necessitate their Assistant Trainmaster 1. L. KILGORE TISS, GFA MITTELBERG and your cor­ kiddies, too, and the Collie pup, in the moving to the Bay Area. took over and immediately thereafter respondent for dinner at the Pacific Chevy. Terrifying prospects. he became stricken and a patient at Those of you who know By LARSON Eighth and Brannan Railway Club meeting held here re­ our local hospital. HARRY YOE, train­ cently. (the Bay Area philanthropist) should FRED W. CARBINE, revising clerk, was master from Elko, came in for relief DORIS HILL, clerk, returned from ask him how he likes the 4gers. Sev­ presented with a beautiful wallet upon duty and apparently everything is now spending her vacation where it seems eral of the Chicago crew are indebted his retirement on August 31, as a re­ under control again as both regular literally millions of other Americans to By for the new shoes he so gra­ membrance of all his co-workers at trainmasters are now on the job. spend theirs, right here in sunny ciously donated to their little ones. the local freight office. Cake and coffee . Southern California. She had a glori­ That is, except GEORGE WENIG, the con­ was served at the little gathering. Our ORVILLE HAYS, brakeman on the ous time. firmed bachelor. George bought new very best wishes for your future hap­ Zephyr, is confined to his home after suffering a heart attack. ties. piness, Fred! Chicago Hear that wedding bells have rung DORIS SCHNEIDER, expense clerk, is Some weeks back the wind blew in ", .. I'm telling you for the last time ... we have for retired Engineer G. A. LORENZ . no use for your type of cowcatcher." feeling very lonesome these days and a refugee from the frigid wastes of we all offer her our sympathies. Her Retired Conductor BILLY MEEHAN California, by the handle of ROBERT husband, an Air Corps reservist, has spent a week visiting friends in Salt MUNCE, JR. Bob is an A-l fellow, and been called to active duty. Lake, and G. A. "SHADY" SNOWBERGER your Chicago correspondent and he is enjoying .his retirement in Califor­ Salt Lake City had a fine couple of hours together nia. He writes regularly. seeing some of Chicago's more promi­ Just finished a tour of duty on the The Tooele Valley local is now oper­ nent sights. There was a brief mist for Zephyrette between Salt Lake City ating on a regular assignment and has a few moments-not to be construed and San Francisco, and found enthusi­ taken up some of the slack and senior­ as a shower of any proportions-but astic response to this new service from ity dust is settling due to the recent we had to beach the automobile and the passengers. shuffling around upon inauguration of swim to the nearest pub only a short While on my last eastbound trip- I . the Zephyrette. distance away, or didn't you know will beat JIMMY COLLINS to the punch Dear "Flash": "Salt Lake City is not where he was, Mrs. Munce? on this one--met retired Passenger Many vacationers arol.\nd Chi. ROSE Conductor HARRY BAKER and his wife, in California. Please correct my mail­ ing address!" (Oops! Our error. We MARIE FITZGERALD and hubby Vern who were returning from a six weeks' GLADYS HESSION and hubb; Tom' Californians are getting nearly as bad trip up and down the West Coast. Re­ went South with the swallows, touring ceived an invitation to go out to his as those Texans, Jimmy.) New Orleans. Gladys and Tom tried 22 MILEPOSTS A nine - pound seven - ounce baby San Francisco THE RAPE OF OUR ROA DS boy with a good pair of lungs, full October 6th, 1950 (Following is a condensed article as published by The Reader's Digest, .Ju?e 1950, f~om ~ne written head of black hair, blue eyes, and a by Frederick G. Brownell in the Buffalo Evening News, May 20, 1950. Permlsslon to repnnt thiS thought~ Gi lbert H. Kneiss, provoking article was granted by The Reader's Digest.) tr emendous appetite came into the San Francisco. world September 11 at 9: 09 a. m. His f f America faces a transportation crisis road construction is being diverted to parents, Rita and BILL MCGRATH, Dear Mr. Kneiss: of the first magnitude. Under the re­ resurface them. " named him William Michael McGrath. On a ccount of i llnes s i n the lentless battering of outsize and over­ Each of the 48 states has enacted Consequently, Bill is more chesty than hous ehold I have been very s low loaded trucks, the three million miles maximum-Ioad-limit laws to protect ever and we don't blame him. Good i n showi ng my appr eciat i on of roads that comprise this nation's its highways from destruction wrought luck, Bill, and we hope the boy looks and thanking you .for sendi ng me arteries are going to pieces faster than by too ponderous vehicles. But many like his mother. the Augus t i ssue of Mileposts . we can find the money to replace them. long-distance haulers-a minority RITA MAE worked for the WP in It is most i nteres ting a nd i n­ within the trucking industry as a Chicago before Bill signed her up to Of the 37,800 miles of interstate formative and I must confess whole - persist in over-loading their a lifetime contract, and the supervisor trunk highway in the country, 35,500 brought back to my mind many gargantuan rigs. Recently several hun­ of nurses on the Maternity Floor at miles need immediate improvement at i ncidents I had forgotten . And dred drivers openly challenged high­ the hospital was none other than Miss it was nice too, to see my dear a cost of 11 billion dollars, It would cost another 49 billion dollars to bring way regulations by parking their Jo McCarthy, daughter of ATM E. A. old Dad on the front cover. "boxcars" on the Pennsylvania Turn­ MCCARTHY. all our roads up to traffic requirements. You have been most gracious to pike and asserting that they would not We can now forget the horrible Even the famed Pennsylvania Turn­ me i n the pas t, and I was s o turn a wheel until either the legislature thoughts of our Cubs and Sox, since pike is, according to some au thorities, s orry to have to dec line your upped the gross weight limit or the the Chicago Bears have taught the beginning to show the effects of heavy i nvitat i on to go to Qu i ncy. authorities stopped enforcing the law. 4gers and the Rams a few basic facts Thank you s o much for your trucking. Many other roads that were This demonstration was broken up of the gridiron. ki ndness and thoughtf ulness. expected to last for at least 30 years only when Pennsylvania's Governor Editor's note: Due to delay in the With best wishes to you and without major repairs are breaking up Duff ordered state police to "haul or mails, news from Elko and Stockton the We s tern Pacific. in five years or less, and taxpayers' bulldoze" offending vehicles off the was j"eceived too late for publication, Sincerely, money that should have gone into new highway. and will appear in next month's MILE ­ Edi th Keddie POSTS. The above letter of appreciation was received from Miss Edith Keddie, A drunk was watching a revolving daughter of Arthur W. Keddie who door and saw a man walk in. As the made the first survey for a railroad door swung around a- pretty girl through the Feather River Canyon in stepped out. 1867 and whose picture appeared on "Darned good trick," he muttered, the cover of the August issue of MILE­ " but I still don't see how that guy POSTS, on the fortieth anniversary of changed his clothes so fast." Western Pacific's first passenger train -N. C. & St. L. Ry. Bulletin. through the picturesque Feather River Canyon. The Congressman's wife sat up in bed, a startled look on her face. A little boy was sitting on the front steps. and the "Stephen," she whispered, "there's salesman asked: "Is your mother home, little boy?" a robber in the house!" "Yes sir," replied the little boy. After knocking several times, and getting no re~ "Impossible!" came the sleepy reply. sponse, the salesman turned to the boy: "I thought you said your mother was home?" Today's crowded highways are no place for overloade~ truck~ and trailers such as th,is huge 2~-ton behemoth "In the Senate, yes, but in the House, "She is," replied the boy, Hbut I don't live here." which claimed two deaths, six autos, a cafe, bar, service station and po~t office, while careenmg out of con~ never!" -Railway Employees Journal. trot down the Ridge Route near Grapevine. 24 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS 25 Spokesmen for the trucking industry picked up a truck bound for New Jer­ seesaw. Soon corners begin to crumble pooh-pooh overloads as a cause of sey with a cargo of sheet steel 35 tons and eventually the slab is reduced to pavement damage, insist instead that above the legal limit. Released in bond, a broken jumble. the weather is to blame. But a ten-mile the driver continued on his way, doing Most states from time to time set up stretch of U. S. 66, the main route be­ irrepara ble damage to much of the check points where trucks are weighed tween St. Louis and Chicago, is a highway he traversed. and the drivers of over-loaded ve­ typical proof to the contrary. Pounded Many of the first-class highways are hicles arrested. But truck operators day and night by heavily burdened built of concrete slabs nine inches keep one another posted on when and trucks and trailers, the two outer lanes thick, and they will normally stand up where weighing is taking place. The of this four-lane highway have been under an indefinite number of loads first driver to pass a newly established smashed to pieces, whereas the two as heavy as nine tons per axle (the check point warns trucks mo~ing i.n inner lanes, traversed by lighter pas­ maximum load allowed in two-thirds the opposite direction by flashmg hIS senger cars, are still in good condition. of the states). Colorado's highway en­ lights or wigwagging with his arms. At Although it usually takes repeated gineers have determined that pave­ the next filling station he alights and overloads to destroy a highway, a single ments exposed repeatedly to axle loads phones the news to his dispatcher. load, if big enough, may turn the trick. in excess of nine tons crack up ten N one of your hard-earned tax dollars g? toward Gas station proprietors, lunch­ 15 During the war a certain utility com­ maintaining railroad rights of way such as needed times as fast as those not subjected to wagon operators and other roadside for repairing your highways damaged by ceas,eless pany received permission to move an such strains. Other state engineers pounding of heavily overloaded trucks and trailers. entrepreneurs gang up with the truc~­ especially massive piece of machinery have estimated that it costs from 14 to ers to outwit the police. Near Elgm, drove their tractors back for second over Indiana's highways. There was no 17 times as much per mile to repair a Illinois the highway patrol discovered apparent damage at the time but it soon road habitually used by heavy trucks loads. a plac~rd at the road's edge reading began to show up. Two years later you and trailers as one that commonly Impatient drivers and those with "Weighing 1 Mile Ahead," placed there could trace the exact route of this truck bears only lighter vehicles. perishable cargos may attempt to de­ by some local conspirator. Between across the state by a trail of cracked tour around weighing stations onto Yet weights from 13 tons to more Washington, D. C., and Richmond, Va., and broken pavements. secondary roads. There the ponderous than 20 tons per axle are frequently I was shown a truck stop with a bril­ rigs inflict even greater damage. De­ Long-distance trucking has more reported. In some states violations have liant neon sign. "It may be just a co­ touring trucks have broken down hun­ than doubled in the last ten years, and become a general practice. In Louisiana incidence," a Virginia highway official dreds of miles of blacktop built to today the trucking industry employs recently, 66 per cent of the loaded remarked, "but the onl~ time we e~er accommodate only farm vehicles. They . more people than the railroads. Regu­ five-axle tractor-trailers weighed dur­ see that sign lighted IS when we re also have caused an alarming increase lar truck lines now link San Francisco ing a checkup were found violating the weighing on Route 1." in broken bridges on country roads. with Chicago, Boston with Dallas, Min­ law. Forewarned drivers often move il­ Indiana alone has been losing an neapolis with Atlanta. Sixty per cent of "Pumping" is what destroys most average of one bridge per month from this year's Florida citrus crop will legal loads on week ends -when concrete pavements. The familiar weighing stations customar ~ly are over-loaded trucks detouring to evade move north in trucks. Even steel is "thump! -thump! -thump!" as your closed - or simply wait until check­ the law. shipped out by truck-as much as 30 tires pass over successive pavement weighing ceases. Near Conneaut, Ohio, But besides wreaking highway dam­ per cent of the steel produced by cer­ joints is the tip-off that the highway age that runs into hundreds of millions not long ago, more than 300 trucks tain mills. has begun to "pump." Pumping starts of dollars every year, these overloaded According to a federal official, at least with the almost imperceptible flexing were parked along a stretch of U. S. 20 juggernauts are the cause of many one long-distance truck out of every of a concrete slab as an extra-heavy just west of the Pennsylvania line, fatal and near-fatal accidents. As they four breaks the weight laws of the vehicle passes over it. Moisture be­ while a few miles eastward Pennsyl­ climb the slightest hills at a tortoise state through which it is passing. A neath the slab is forced outat the joints, vania police manned their scales and pace, the drivers of cars behind th~m truck flagged down recently by the bearing with it particles of soil. Each looked in vain for customers. On an­ become impatient and pull out of lme Pennsylvania police was loaded to time the pressure is reapplied, more other occasion, when weighing in Vir­ to pass. State police report this as a three times the legal limit. In another muddy water is squeezed out, until a ginia continued for several days, scores common cause of highway accidents. instance, outside Pittsburgh, patrolmen cavity is formed and the slab starts to of drivers unhooked their trailers and Other accidents occur when brakes, 27 26 MILEPOSTS MILEPOSTS strained beyond their limit by over­ full cooperation to state police in en­ loads, fail to hold on downgrades, or forcement efforts. A formidable bar­ when drivers allow their overloaded rier to enforcement is the conflict • SPORTS • behemoths to pick up speeds as high between weight requirements of the as 80 miles an hour on long descents. various states. Massachusetts limits A Midwestern operator told me the gross weight of the largest type of frankly that he expects to go on over­ vehicle to 25 tons, whereas next- door WIN ONE-LOSE ONE YOUNGSTERS WIN loading as long as he can get away with Rhode Island allows 40 tons. Nine tons The Western Pacific Club won its Two hundred Western Pacific Sacra­ it. Said he : "You can't make any money is the maximum axle load that is legal first Industrial Division basketball mento Shop employees and their fami­ trying to stay legal." There is, of in a majority of the states; but Dela­ game September 25 by edging out lies enjoyed seven thrill- packed inn­ course, more profit in overloads. ware allows ten tons; Maine, 11 tons; Crocker Bank 46 to 45. ings of comedy recently as age and By toting only five illegal tons of New York, 11.2 tons. Pennsylvania has youth battled in the fifth annual Old freight per trip, one truck may yield After trailing 20 to 8 with eight 53 separate weight classifications for minutes to go in the first half, the Men-Young Men softball game spon­ up to $12,000 extra revenue a year. different types of trucks. sored by the Western Pacific Amuse­ And operators of overloaded trucks trainmen started to find the basket and Aroused citizens could force some left the court for intermission behind ment Club. The youngsters lasted the can undercut rates established by legi­ regional uniformities in state laws, longest and won 23 to 19. timate haulers who may have to choose 24 to 18. strengthen the hands of law enforce­ The second half was a see-saw battle It was a nip- and-tuck fight all the between violating the law or losing ment officers and halt a threatening their shirts. until, with one minute and a half to go, way, with comedy accounting for the Congressional move for federal regula­ WP tied up the game with Cliff Gerst­ high score. The all-around play of Recognizing the peril to themselves tion of the trucking industry. Such a ner's field goal. Then came the thrill­ Manual Francis drew continuous ap­ in the growing protests, the American surge of public opinion is long overdue. Trucking Association recently pledged ing climax. With the game tied at 45 plause from the crowd. It was Francis' points each, Horace Lohmeyer let fly first outing as a player for the "old with a shot from the floor as the final men." gun sounded. His shot went wide, ~)Ut Refreshments and dancing followed he was fouled in the act of shootmg the game. and received two free throws. The Box score: game was over when the first throw dropped through the hoop. YOUNG MEN OLD MEN Player AB H R Player AB H R Cliff Gerstner was high for WP with Silver, c ...... 6 3 3 Cusenza, c ...... __ .6 3 1 0' Rullian, If .... ,, 5 2 3 Stadler, p ...... 5 2 1 17 points, followed by J ack Ditty V. Latino, p ...... A 3 3 Asbury, lb...... 4 2 3 Cunha, 3b ...... 6 4 4 Latona. 11...... 5 2 4 with 11. S. Latino, cf ...... 6 3 3 Velasich, 3b ...... 5 3 2 Schenk. 55 •. .•...... 5 4 3 Leo, 2b...... 4 1 0 * * * Konvalin. 1 b ...... 5 2 3 Poncioni, cf ...... 4 1 1 Albertson, 2b...... 5 1 2 Patterson, S5 _____ .5 2 3 Two free throws and a looping field LaSalle, rf ...... 4 1 o Crane. rf __ . ___ ...... 5 2 2 goal in the last two minutes of play Francis, cf, p __ __ .A 4 2 enabled the Bank of California quintet 46 23 24 47 22 19 =---J to come out on the winning end of a 38 to 35 score in Western Pacific's both halves, with the score see-sawing second game, played at Kezar Pavilion in a closely played game. While West­ on October 5. ern Pacific outshot their opponents Although the railroaders took ad­ from the floor, they lacked in dropping vantage of every opportunity to score, their free throws and thereby lost their their opponents managed to freeze the opportunity to come out on the win­ ball during the last minutes of play ning end of the score. " What a marvelous age this is . .. we could've gotten there and back by train in the time we've waited for and made scoring difficult for the rail Fifteen points gave Cliff Gerstner this fog to lift!" five. The game was even throughout high score for the second game. 28 MILEPOSTS MILEPO STS 29 "MR. SHORTSTOP" during 1938 and 1939, when he lived BOWLING LEAGUE SOFTBALL CHAMPS (The following article, sent in by general agent in Stanislaus County. After ten teams had battled it out Three-hit pitching by electrician R. R. Taylor, is reprinted from the Sports Page of In high school, Dinkel captained the for first place during 18 weeks of bowl­ Vince Latino and heavy hitting by ma­ Record of Saturday, September 16. ~~~O~)tockton 1928 Stockton High School basketball ing, the Summer League sweepstakes chinist Al Stadler and draftsman Bob "Mr. Shortstop" of Stockton softball, team that captured the last state cham­ ended with a three-way tie for first Cunha gave WPAC a 12 to 5 victory Stan Dinkel, had his name placed with pionship before the CIF was split. place and the roll- off, which took place over the strong O'Neill Station's nine that of five other local greats as the That team was the fourth quintet that September 7, ended the contest with in a hard-fought play-off game re­ outstanding Stockton softball player of Pete Lenz coached to official state the following winners: cently. The win gave Western Pacific the year today. titles from 1921 to 1928. TEAM PINS its second consecutive night softball His name has been connected with Dinkel had a chance to play baseball Silver Canyon ...... 1,644 championship. Silver Arroyo ___ ~ ___ ..... _. ___ .. _1,525 the local diamond sport since he fin- with the San Francisco Seals in 1928 Silver Palm ... __ ...... __ ...... 1,498 The railroaders grabbed an 8 to 5 but turned down the chance in organ­ ished high school INDIVIDUAL WINNERS edge in the third inning and then held ized ball. in 1928. In 1932, SWEEPS GIRLS PRIZE SWEEPS MEN the opposition scoreless for the re­ Dinkel made the After his years of softball 'activity, L. Carlson ...... $5.5Q ...... S. Lewis mainder of the game while adding four Dinkel's name joins that of Irv Bau­ L. Studt...... 4.50 ...... R. Monson shift when softball B. Thomas ...... 3.50...... H. Donnelly more WP counters. Latino also con­ com, J erry Cleland, Bob Beckham, Val M . Rathburn ...... 2.50...... E . McKellips tributed to his moved from the M. Trickett...... 1.50...... A. Potter College of the Pa­ Cleland and Doug Woods in Stockton's R. Alexander ...... SO __ ... ___ .. ______.H . Trace win by pounding cific campus to softball hall of fame, the Elmer Wells out three hits in Memorial, named in memory of Oak Members of the three winning teams the baseball dia­ were as follows: as many trips to mond in Oak Park. Park's long-serving gatekeeper. the plate. Under the direc- How many years it took "Mr. Short­ SILVER ARROYO SILVER PALM The champions stop" to achieve that place Stan won't Ann Malfa Florence Clifford Stan Dinkel tion of Harry Brit- Ruth Stone Gertrude Shout will receive indi­ say. But he does admit that at any time Hab Trace John Graser vidual trophies ton, then president Frank Thompson Carl Rath of the softball association, Dinkel one of his three sons will be pushing for the accom­ him off the diamond. SILVER CANYON plishment. The helped build the two diamonds now Eugenia Loo Lelon Wagner in use. Betty Thomas J ames Cotter score follows: Vince Latino In 1935, Dinkel played with the C. M. WP PIN LOOP NAMES OFFICERS High average, series and game scores WESTERN O 'NEILL PACIFIC BROTHERS Menzies team that captured the state Andrew A. Crist and R. L. Kimball for the bowlers were as follows: Player AB H R Player AB H R title. Since then he has played with the HIGH AVERAGE HIGH SERIES Stadler, c,2b .... 2 2 2 Thomas, Ib ...... ! 0 0 were elected president and secretary, Musillani, 2b .... 3 ! ! Dragish, 55 ...... 3 0 0 Stockton Merchants, Stockton Box, respectively, of the WP Bowling Lenore Studt ...... 156 Lenore Studt ...... 520 Cunha, 3b ...... 4 2 3 Leighton. 3b.... 2 ! 1 Charles Dooling...... 173 Ken Stoney ...... 611 M. Latino, Ib.. 3 ! (). Reimer, 2b ...... 3 1 1 Native Sons, the Eagles and all the top League at an organization meeting,in O'Rullian, 1£.. .. 3 ! 0 Martin, c ...... 2 1 2 local teams. This year, still active and HIGH GAME Konvalin, cf .... 2 1 1 Camp, rL...... 3 0 0 the Alhambra Bowl, Sacramento, in Mildred Butterfield ...... 203 V. Latino, p .... 3 3 1 McAdams, C£ .. 2 0 1 still to be feared, he held down the September. Ken Stoney ...... 266 Albertson, 55 .... 3 0 1 Rodriguez. 1£ .. 2 0 0 shortpatch for the Stockton Elks, win­ Latona, rL ...... 2 0 2 MacDougle, p .. 2 0 0 The league is composed of five President Frank Thompson and Silva, c ...... 2 1 1 ners of the valley tournament. Once teams made up exclusively of Western Secretary Spen Lewis announced that 28 12 12 20 more he travelled to the state tourna­ Pacific employees. The league will ) ment with a Stockton team, 22 years Western Pacific's Winter League got Score by Innings: R H E play against WP teams in Stockton and 1 3-12 14 after he began the sport. under way September 21, and anyone Western Pacific ...... 3 San Francisco. interested in the sport is invited to O'Neill Brothers ...... 3 O. 0- 5 3 Dinkel hasn't always been solely in * * " join the gang at the Downtown Bowl, the big ball and short basepaths of When I go to bed at night I always Jones and Eddy Streets, at 7:00 p.m. Traffickers (last year's champs) out in softball. He has played baseball with see green signals and red signals in each Thursday. the Amblers and captained the Mo­ front with seven wins and two losses. front of my eyes. With eight teams representing vari­ Individual averages to date find Ken desto entry in the State League, a Did you ever see a psychiatrist? semi-pro organization that preceded ous departments of the Company, the Stoney and Charles Dooling with 179 No, only green signals and red sig­ end of the third week of play finds the pins each. the professional California League, nals.-B of LF&E Magazine. MILEPOSTS 31 30 MILEPOSTS Sec. 34.66, P. L. & R. WESTERN PACIFIC MILEPOSTS U. S. POSTAGE 526 Mission St., Sa n Francisco 5, Calif. PAID Return and Forwarding Postage Guaranteed San Francisco, Calif. Permit No. 537 1 M3 . ALAN ASKE 175 S. LINCOLN ST. ROSEVILLE , CALIF.

POSTMASTER: If undeliverable for ANY REASON. notify sender, stating reason on Form 3547. postage for which is guaranteed by sender.

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad is celebrating its 100th anniversary. First train oper.ated between Lou isville and Nashville, 187 miles, on October 27, 1859. Mile­ a ge now extends to nearly 5,000 miles and serves thirteen states. • • Portable typewriters, paper, second sheets, and carbon, are now available without charge to passengers on the Katy's Texas SpeciaL • • • Whistles of Lehigh Valley Diesel locomotives on the New York-Buffalo route now give forth chime-like sound effects instead of the klaxon horns. • • • Eight new lightweight sleeping cars and four new 2,000-h.p. diesels have been added to Illinois Central streamlined passenger service. • • Pacific Fruit Express will add 2, I 00 refrigerator cars to its fleet of 38,000, described as the world's largest. PFE is owned jointly by the Union Pacific and the Southern Pacific . • The Frisco Railroad has placed car and rail orders amounting to more than five and one-half million dollars. • • An e ntirely new 450-mil e railroad lin e has linked the peninsula of Yucatan, which forms the "south shore" of the Gulf of Mexico, with the rest of the Mexican railway network. • • • To meet popular de mand, an additional morning train in each direction between Portla nd a nd Seattle has been instituted by GN-NP-UP pool service.