First In A Series

Mountain Road Is Rugged Railroading

Railroad shops and enginehouses represent a giant industry providing Subdivision Provides Important Traffic Gateway employment to a large army of work• ers and contributing through payrolls to the prosperity of hundreds of cities (Feature Pictures on Page* 12-13) and towns throughout the country. It Performance of service per freight is estimated that these construction car is one measure of efficiency in the and repair plants embrace 2,825 build• The Maine Central's Mountain Sub• vision, is a story in itself. Briefly, railroad business. The average rail• ings. way-owned freight car in the United * * # division stands unique not only on 82 years ago the Portland and Ogdens- burg Railroad sought a passageway States in 1950 performed the equiv• our system, but also as representative for east-west traffic through the alent of moving a ton of freight 972 In October, 1951, for the first of some of the most colorful railroad• formidable barrier of the White miles daily, compared with 858 miles month since the outbreak of the ing in the East. Mountains. A one-time Indian war• daily in 1949. The peace-time record Korean War, railroads and car build• path was chosen as the only possible was reached in 1947, when the average ers succeeded in completing and de• It is the only part of our railroad livering 10,000 new freight cars. that operates in three states—Maine, route. From 1870-1875 the track was freight car performed the equivalent This means that a freight car came New Hampshire and Vermont. It laid, sections at a time, from Port• of moving a ton of freight 1,057 miles off the assembly lines every 4% min• has the steepest grades in the short• land, Me., to Fabyan, N. H. and from daily. Daily freight car performance utes night and day, seven days a est distances on the system. It has Scott's Junction, the other side of reached its all-time peak during week, throughout the month. the highest trestle, the shortest track Whitefield, N. H., to Lunenburg, Vt. World War II when an average of * * * sections. At one point in Crawford A 17-mile gap from Fabyans to 1,113 ton-miles daily was attained. Notch the sun never touches the iron Scott's remained until 1888 when the Before the war, the greatest average Height, not age, determines the for five months of the year. line was rushed to completion before daily performance for a freight car fare to be collected from passengers its charter expired. Then leased to was reached in 1940 when 664 ton- on the railroads of North China. All The early history of the Mountain the Maine Central, the Mountain road miles were reported. passengers over 4 ft. 3 in. pay full road, called "Subdivision" because it's connected with the St. Johnsbury * * * fare; those from 4 ft. 3 in. to 2 ft. 6 actually a part of our Portland di• and Lake Champlain Railroad (now in. pay one-half fare; and those under Fifty years ago the railroads could 2 ft. 6 in. travel free. have purchased locomotive and cars to form a 100-car freight train for not * * * more than $100,000. Today a 100-car Seventeen years ago the first suc• diesel-powered freight train (exclu• cessful streamliner passenger trains sive of cargo) may represent an in• were introduced. There are now more vestment of more than $1,000,000. than 300 streamliners in service in A three-unit diesel locomotive, cost• the United States—by far the largest ing about $153,000 per unit, adds up number operated in any country on to $459,000. Ninety-nine steel freight the globe. cars, averaging around $5,700 each, will cost $564,000; and a caboose will cost $11,000, bringing the total cost In 1950, wood preserving plants in up to $1,034,000. the United States subjected 109,498,- 000 cubic feet of cross ties and 8,974,- For every man, woman and child in 000 cubic feet of switch ties to chem• the United States and every soldier in ical pressure treatment. In addition, foreign service the railroads last year they treated by the same process, performed the equivalent of hauling a 170,316,000 cubic feet of poles, piles, ton of freight 4,146 miles, according lumber, fence posts, telegraph and to preliminary estimates. This com• telephone cross arms and other woods pares with an all-time high of 5,363 —a total of 289,000,000 cubic, feet, miles in 1944, the peak year of World much of which was for use by the railroads. THE FAMOUS Frankenstein Trestle in Crawford Notch is 518 feet long and towers 1,300 feet above the Saco River War II. through the valley floor below Bartlett on our line is the skiers' and Quebec Junction and Beecher paradise, the resort country, the fa• Falls. mous Eastern Slopes Region, but up When big freight RY-2 strains in in here through the Notch the mountains the pre-dawn darkness, the Bartlett reach straight up, and they're all force have the helpers serviced and rock. Responsible for keeping the the crew ready. The big job has Notch plowed out in the Winter and usually hauled out of Rigby with two on constant guard for ice and sliding or three 1,500 hp diesels on the head shale in the Spring is Track Super• end, so Bartlett engine 334 since it is visor A. S. Dodge and his force. a multiple unit, is coupled up with There are no motor cars up here. 331, 332 or 333 on the rear ahead of The men walk their sections, the the caboose as pushers over the hill. shortest on the system—3% miles as When the big job roars into Craw- compared to 8 miles on the mainline. fords, there's been 8,100 "horses" get• This is the site of our Frankenstein ting it there. The helpers are taken trestle, 518 feet long and towering off, RY-2 heads for St. Johnsbury and 1,300 feet above the valley floor be• the helpers go back down the hill to low. First built in 1875, it was re• Bartlett. placed in 1893 and again in 1929 when a second steel trestle was prac• HERE'S the Gilman Extra approaching Sawyer's River tically built around it. Two miles west of the trestle is Willey House, Lamoille County) and with the Ca• A single startling example of what former station and now company- nadian Pacific at St. Johnsbury, and this traffic means to the Maine Cen• supplied home for Foreman Joe Burke. It's here that from November to the Grand Trunk at North Stratford. tral was recorded Jan. 9. On that date Conductor C. J. Boutwell and March the sun never strikes the build• THE TRAFFIC STORY Engineer Herb Amidon on Train RY2 ing or track, huddled as it is, in the watched records fall as they hauled lee of the mountains. Then there's To the layman, and to some rail• Foreman J. B. McCann and his men roaders for that matter, it's difficult 69 cars and 15 empties into St. Johnsbury for a total of 4,260 tons, at Sawyer's River and Foreman Cor• to picture the Mountain Subdivision nelius J. Griffin and his crew at Craw• as an important gateway for our east- the most tonnage ever into that point and they hung up a mark of handling ford's. And no story of the Mountain west traffic. 93 loaded and 19 empties for a total would be complete without mention of A glance at any railroad map re• of 5,714 tons! Jim Chadbourne and his extra crew veals our delivery to the Canadian that man the plows up through the An equally illuminating example of Notch. Technically, track mainte• Pacific and Grand Tiunk on a direct, the Subdivision's major role as a practically straight line with Detroit, nance is no different on the Mountain, revenue-producer lies in its "over• there's just more to it, and there's Mich. head" traffic, i.e., traffic not origi• ASSISTANT TRAINMASTER on the Mountain is much silent admiration for the moun• John Robertson The Mountain Subdivision offers nating on our lines. In one month as tain men. an extremely desirable service to ship• many as 800-900 cars of overhead pers on Maine Central lines who have traffic may be handled eastbound and THE OPERATING STORY from 900-1,000 cars westbound. Paper BARTLETT, AND THE HELPERS commodities destined for the Mid- A single passenger train, 162 up to and paper products often account for West, both in cost and in delivery For five miles out of Bartlett the St. Johnsbury and 163 returning, 500 cars per month; forest products time. For example, our trains 375- upgrade is a relatively easy 1.5 per operates on the Mountain Subdivision, from 100-125. We receive some 376, the big night freights from Port• cent, but beginning at Notchland and and while lightly patronized, still of• months as many as 100 cars of cotton land to St. Johnsbury, offer "fourth for eight miles up the Notch, our mo• fers for the railroad enthusiast year and 200 cars of grain and grain prod• a.m." service between Chicago and tive power must overcome 2.2 per 'round, some of the most spectacular ucts along with many cars of packing Portland, which means merchandise cent grade and continuous rugged scenic splendor in New England. It house products. On our Subdivision from Chicago may be picked up in curves until it breaks out on the nar• also provides milk, mail and express are receivers of lumber, and shippers Portland the fourth morning after it's row plain of Crawford Notch station. service. shipped and vice versa. of pulpwood, paper, wood flour, and To get our big freights "over the furniture. Then there's the already mentioned hill" a group of four, 1,200 hp diesel payload freight, YR-1 and RY-2 night A vital factor resulting in con• helpers, numbered 331-334 are main• job each way; ZR-1 and RZ 2 local siderable savings to industries located THE ENGINEERING STORY tained at Bartlett. In charge is freight from Rigby to Bart'ett on on our lines is that the Mountain road Engine House and Car Foreman Wal• Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is a differential route for westbound The Mountain Subdivision's rugged ter Trecarten supervising 12 men on and Bartlett to Rigby on Tuesdays, traffic via the CP, CN, and St. J. & railroading is known to be the 15- three shifts and three carmen, since Thursdays and Saturdays. Out of L.C. This means that shippers may mile stretch from Bartlett, N. H. he also handles all car service be• Bartlett is the Gilman Extra running enjoy a lower rate on freight destined through Crawford Notch. This is the tween Fryeburg and St. Johnsbury Bartlett to Essex Station and return for many Mid-Western states. snow country. Just five miles below 5 daily except Sunday where the helper motions he was made traffic agent of engines are also used. The motive the Maine Central and assistant gen• Busmen Awarded Safe Driving Pins power also currently is taking a wood eral representative. On March 3, extra Beecher Falls to Lancaster and 1947, he was made general passenger return nightly except Sunday during agent of both the Maine Central and a heavy woods operation by the St. the Boston and Maine. Regis Paper Company. THE MOUNTAIN ROAD, ATTA BOY, BOB! PAST AND FUTURE Stuart W. Robinson, track repairman No other stretch of track on the at Bangor, can well be proud of his son, Maine Central system may lay claim Bob, now serving as quartermaster on to a more colorful past than the Moun• the USS Taussig in the Korean area. tain Subdivision, but it is today that Railroad men everywhere can best ap• its importance can best be measured. preciate what Bob is doing when he With dieselization of the road, star• wrote home to Dad recently: "Last tling savings in operating ratios have Saturday we shot up a railroad yard at been accomplished. This, coupled with Sonjin, Korea. It was about the size of steadily increasing recognition by the yard at Bangor. There wasn't much shippers of the advantages of our left of it after we and the USS Helena east-west gateway has resulted in a got thru with it. We ceased firing to V. J. MURPHY A. J. BENNETT G. E. ROLLINS E. F. CONANT robust traffic picture. The Mountain let the smoke clear and in came the Subdivision holds an important place fighter planes and bombers and worked Millions of miles of safe driving- by Five operators shared honors on in the Maine Central's future. the place over with napalem and 500- Maine Central Transportation Com• having completed six years of safe pound bombs. Then to make sure there pany bus operators were represented driving. They were George E. Rol• were no Commies left to rebuild, they last month when award pins were dis• lins, Vassalboro, Waterville-Portland MCTCo. Vice President strafed the area with 20mm cannon and tributed throughout the system. run, 331,093 miles; Edgar F. Conant, 50 caliber machine guns. Then we went Heading the list again Freeport, Belfast swing to work again with the big guns to knock was Clarence W. "Doc" job, 265,592; Arnold W. out any tunnel openings and switches or Edwards, operator on Brume, Portland, North cars that might still be of use to the the Lewiston - Water• Conway run, 254,657; enemy. ville - Portland run Robert A. Hattie, who had amassed South Portland, That yard and the tunnels and bridges the amazing rec• day Yarmouth, leading to it won't be of much use to ord of driving 237,455; and Rob• the Commies for some time. We will 486,454 miles over ert E. Leighton, go back later to see if they are trying an 11-year period H|| Falmouth, first to rebuild, and if so, will try to dis• without an acci• spare operator, courage their efforts." dent. The popular " 241,886. "Doc" who will have Charles H. Wet- 17 years with the stein, Lewiston, oper• EDGAR SPEAKER company next month, ator on the Lewiston- R. M. Edgar, assistant to the presi• has driven most of the Bath run, received a 5- dent, Maine Central and Boston and jobs on the system during year pin for 201,676 miles Maine Railroads, was featured speak• his service. He offered no of safe driving. er at a meeting of the new Railroad magic formula for his top rec• 'DOC" EDWARDS Four-year pins were award• Club of Maine last month in the Elm- ord, but his calm disposition ed to Perley W. "Slim" Wheeler, H. J. Foster wood Hotel, Waterville. and careful attention to duty is in• Westbrook; Ervin R. Carter, Hallo- dicative of his success. well; Clarence W. Anderson, Augusta; Harold J. Foster, general passenger and Walter W. Crane, Bangor. agent of the Maine Central Railroad SAME DIFFERENCE Second on the list was Operator Three-year pins were awarded to H. A. Watts, Eastport, who received and of the Boston and Maine Rail• "I shouldn't be offering you wine, Harry W. Hubbard and Thomas E. an 8-year pin. road, was appointed a vice president should I ? You are the head of the Elwell, both of Portland; Donald H. of the Maine Central Transportation Temperance League, aren't you?" re• Two Auburnites, Vernon J. Murphy Hill, Lewiston; Raymond L. Briggs, Company, last month. In addition to marked the hostess to her male guest. and Arthur J. Bennett received 7- Yarmouth; Einar E. Mason, Lewis- his new duties, Foster will continue "Oh, no. I am the head of the Anti- year pins. Murphy, on the Lewiston- ton; Edward E. Robinson, Portland; as general passenger agent of the two Vice League." Portland run, had driven 332,140 Cecil K. Bradstreet, Waterville; Jos• railroads. "Well, I knew there was something I accident-free miles and Bennett, oper• eph A. Smart, Yarmouth; James M. Foster entered the Maine Central shouldn't offer you." ator on the Lewiston-Bath run, 314,- Rollins, Augusta; and James F. Mc- service in 1916. After several pro• 662. Phei'son, Bangor.

6 7 Foss, 66, of 155 Cy Shaw Makes Last Trip Clark Street, Cyrus W. Shaw, 73, of Princeton, Portland, freight Me., fourth senior engineer on the checker at the Portland Division, retired last month Portland freight in a well-publicized and well-deserved house of the farewell salute from friends and the PTCo. after near• newspapers. Cy's last trip on No. 11 ly 41 years of Portland-Bangor was marked by a service. Foss en• story in the Portland Press Herald tered railroad when Superintendent Harry Strout, service as a Brotherhood Chairman, and others freight handler in A. W. BRUME R. A. HATTIE R. E. LEIGHTON C. H. WETSTEIN saw him off, and by another in the April, 1911 and Bangor Daily News when he ended became freight his last trip at Bangor. Cy entered clerk and checker Foss Receiving two-year pins were Ralph ham; Lawrence E. Brown, Water• railroad service in 1899 as a brake- in 1914. E. Harriman, Richard Clark, and Gil• ville; and Lawrence F. Warren, Eu• bert W. Powers, all of Portland; gene F- McNally and Hubert L. Oat- Spurgeon Sullivan, better known as Warren E. Libby and Stanley W. way, all of Bangor. "Sully," assistant signal supervisor at Beane, both of Lewiston; Raymond One-year pins were awarded Karl Portland, after 43 years of service. O. Simpson, Ellsworth; William J. V. Pierce, Augusta; Bert S. Shepard, Starting as signal helper in 1908 at Donovan and Damon E. Cunningham, Bangor; Edward L. Frank, Charles Brunswick, the following yepr he was both of Gardiner; William L. Hall, W. Foss, John J. McLaren, all of made signalman at Readfield remain• Augusta; Robert W. Alexander, Lewiston; and John A. Arnold, Port• ing until 1912 when he became fore• Richmond; Herbert A. Harmon, Gor- land. man at Lewiston. In 1921 "Sully" —-^^—^ was promoted to

, v signal supervisor , f<***r*\t Bangor and tranferred to as• sistant signal su• Alert Employes Praised By Strout pervisor at Port• land in 1941, re• maining in this Alertness and quick action by a when an automobile skidded onto, and 1 "*5B| position until re- crossing tender and a section fore• stalled on the railroad right of way. JL ' "ZSmf tirement. He was man at Augusta and Hallowell last Galloupe immediately went out to honored at a par- month succeeded in averting fatal ac• flag down Train .Mgjnl ty at the Colum- cidents to motorists. No. 12, the Ken• K 1^ bia Hotel Jan" 12 nebec Limited fpH 1 Railroad em- Portland Division Superintendent Cy Shaw due at the cross• 10 Harry Strout commended Crossing Sullivan P ^ who pre• ing in a matter sented him with Tender Maurice Choate of Hallowell of minutes. Gal• man on the Eastern Division, he an electric saw and drill. All of who, when seeing that an automobile loupe also re• switched over to firing and was set "Sully's" friends wish him and Mrs. had stalled on the Winthrop Street up as an engineer in 1905 and was Sullivan the best of everything and crossing at Augusta where he was ceived a letter of for many years a resident of Portland bon voyage on their pleasure trip to on duty, Jan. 6, grabbed a flag and c o m m endation when running on Trains 11 and 16. California this winter. ran down the track to flag down No. from Strout, who For 25 years he was secretary of his 1046 as it approached the crossing. pointed out that John A. Griffin, 72, of Portland, lodge of the Brotherhood of Railway their actions, loader and caller at the Portland Section Foreman Al Galloupe had "without » doubt, Engineers and received his 50-year freight house, after 27 years of ser• his crew working in the vicinity of prevented a very Gold Pass in August, 1949. vice. He entered railroading as a Chestnut Street, Hallowell, Jan. 15, serious accident." Others retiring were: Clifford W. freight trucker at Portland in 1925.

8 9 BLACK SHEEP Officials Attend Railroad Night A father can do only so much for his sons. When Conductor Harry A. Taylor took the Pennsylvania Limited out of Fort Dfce EditorsPage Wayne, Indiana, on its last run, he had his six sons for crew. From engineer to CLIFFORD A. SOMERVILLE fireman, they were all his boys, all EDITOR-IN CHIEF raised in the finest railroad traditions. GEORGE P MC CALL UM We hate to mention the sour note...... EDITOR There was a black sheep in his flock. WM. A WHEELER The seventh son is a bus driver. L ASSOCIATE EQiTOR (EMERITUS) —From the editorial page of the Portland Press Herald YEAR END REPORT passengers one mile, at an average The nation's railroads in 1951 made charge of 2.601 cents for carrying a all-time record expenditures for new passenger one mile. equipment and far-reaching improve• Despite the meager return on in• ments in their plant, which helped vested capital, the Class I railroads bring about further enlargement of spent in 1951 an all-time record carrying capacity and greater oper• amount of more than $1,400,000,000 ating efficiency, according to the AAR. to enlarge capacity and to increase 't'-lHI operating efficiency. Of this huge out• The railroads also carried a near- lay of capital spending, approximately record traffic of 643 billion ton-miles, $1,061,000,000 was allocated for the HEAD TABLE at the Port of Portland Propeller Club's annual Railroad Night last month were upper, left to right, Fred K. Hollyman, assistant general freight traffic manager, CP; E. S. Miller, first vice president, MeC; and took in record gross operating purchase of about 84,000 new freight Henry Craig, assistant to vice president, CN; Robert L. Travis, traffic manager, S. D. Warren Co., Portland; revenues of more than $10 billion. cars and about 3,500 new locomotive Oswald A. Trudeau, general passenger traffic manager, CN, guest speaker. Lower, left to right, Ralph A. Leavitt, Expenses and taxes were also at rec• president, Propeller Club; Frank A. Murphy, assistant to vice president-traffic, MeC; L. A. Putnam, president, units. More than $351,000,000 went St. J&LC; K. D. Beers, general freight agent, B&M; 0. L. Crawford, freight traffic manager, Rutland; R. B. ord levels, however, and increased for improvements to roadway, struc• Baldwin, assistant to vice president, BAR faster than revenues. Net railway tures and other fixed facilities. operating income fell from $973 mil• As a result of these new facilities lion in 1950 to $903 million in 1951 installed by railroads under the 1951 VETERAN EMPLOYES DIE been with the Maine Central about 50 years and is survived besides his and the rate of return earned on net improvement program, the railroads Death took several of our best widow, by a son, Parker Hall, elec• investment decreased from 3.96 per during the past year so enlarged their known and long-time employes last trician at the Shops. cent to only 3.54 per cent. carrying capacity and increased their month. Horace H. Doughty, 67, died Harry P. Lowell, 71, well-known efficiency that the average freight suddenly Dec. 24, at his home, 403 The telling effect that higher wage clerk-telegrapher at Augusta, col• train carried more tons of freight Broadway, Bangor. He had been em• lapsed and died Jan. 13 as he entered rates and prices have had on railroad ployed in the Bangor baggage room more miles during each hour of oper• the station to report for duty. Harry operating costs is evident from com• for more than 40 years. He leaves ation than ever before. had been with the Maine Central for parison of such increases with the far his widow, two sons, a daughter, six 36 years and had previously worked lesser increase in freight rates. Since brothers and four sisters. 1939, for instance, straight-time hour• for the NY, NH&H. He is survived THE COVER Lewis J. Sanborn, 72, who retired ly rates of pay for railroad workers by his widow, Mrs. Winnifred Harrity as general agent at Bath last year have increased 139 per cent, and There's 70 inches of snow on the Lowell who was a familiar figure at after more than 50 years of service, prices of railroad materials and sup• ground in the North Country this Win• the station as she often helped her died at his Bath home Dec. 28. ter and to our Bartlett crews that means husband check his accounts. plies have increased 130 per cent. Prominent in Masonic bodies, he is running plows through the Notch. In During the same period, the revenue survived besides his widow by two our cover photo Plow 79 with Engine received by railroads for hauling an sons, one Maurice L., railway express SLIPPING average ton of freight one mile has 624 is approaching Sawyer's River east- agent at Gardiner; two sisters and "And now, gentlemen," continued the risen only 45 per cent. bound after preceding our passenger seven grandchildren. train 162 up the Notch. Conductor is Congressman, "I wish to tax your Emile B. Hall, 78, paint shop fore• In 1951, the railroads received an Dolf Bergeon. Jim Chadbourne and memory." man at Waterville Shops, died sudden• average of 1.339 cents for carrying Bob Jones are on the flanger, Engineer "Good heavens," muttered a col• ly Dec. 31 at his home, Upper Main a ton of freight one mile. They also Tarzan Emerson, Fireman Sammy Drown league, "why haven't we thought of Street, Fairfield. He had been in ill performed passenger transportation and Brakeman King. that before?" equivalent to moving 34,399 million health for several months. He had

10 11 n'kent'A Snow ^ktm ^Jkan! HMouritalnA

SCENES ON THE MOUNTAIN SUBDIVISION show (1) Train 162, passenger job bound for St. Johnsbury, kicking up snow on a curve at Glen, N. H. (2) Sawyer's River section crew include left to right, Foreman J. B. McCann, Ivan Stonehouse, Carroll Kelley, and Robert Gardiner (3) The Gilman Extra hauling up from the lower yard at Bartlett (4) Little workhorses of the Mountain are these 1,200 diesels. Engine 334 shown here coming out of the engine house is a multiple unit and used with Nos. 331-332-333, perform helper service up the Notch (5) Engine House and Car Foreman Walter Trecarten is in charge of the important service and maintenance at Bartlett (6) The serv-a-train unit, a new fueling pump installed at Bartlett to service the diesels It might be interesting to note that on Calais Monday, Jan. 14, there were cleared through TJ. S. Customs, a total of 429 cars By P. D. ADAMS of various merchandise from Canada des• The local order of Eastern Star has a tined for points in U.S.A. Quite a ban• good representation of railroad people as ner week end. officers. Clerk Carl Ross is Worthy Patron and his wife Thelma is Worthy Matron. Agent Pullen's wife Lulu is treasurer and Bangor Motive Power president of the Orion Club and Operator McKay's wife Edna is secretary of the order. By CHARLIE LEARD Operator W. H. McKay, his wile and Miss Kathleen Farwell, daughter of the drifts up to 8 and 10 feet high over our daughter Marjorie went to Boston last week late Engineer Joseph Farwell, spent the tracks there. and took in the Ice Follies. holidays with her mother in Bangor. She Sympathy is extended to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Hay ward an• is an assistant field director for the Amer• Martin F. McGuff, assistant cashier, Bangor nounced the engagement of their daughter ican Red Cross and is currently located at Freight Office, who died Jan. 11 following Sara to John S. Cameron, third class fire• the USN Receiving Station at Brooklyn, illness. Martin who was well liked by man, TJ. S, Navy. Mr. Cameron's parents N. Y. all, had been employed as clerk in Bangor are Machinist and Mrs. Clayton Cameron Roy C. Blackmer, a veteran of World Yard and freight office since February 1918, of Calais shops. War I and who operated a set of fine camps Bangor M. of W. and held assistant cashier's position since Congratulations to Engineer Cyrus Shaw as well as a prosperous grocery store at April 1936 and was president of Bangor who retired on Dec. 28 in good health after Newport on the shore of Lake Sebasti- By JOHN MINCHER Lodge 76 of Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. fifty-three years of service. cook, died Dec. 25 at the Togus Veterans A recent caller at this office was Cpl. Trainman George Townsend enjoyed a Hospital. His daughter is the wife of Wil• James E. Roach, U. S. Army, who has been recent vacation. liam M. Rice, former vice general chairman stationed at Camp Pickett, Va., is in the Alden McKay of Boston and Nash McKay B&M and JICRR, Brotherhood of Firemen, Engineering Corps, and has been connected of South Berwick passed the Christmas Oilers and Laborers. with railway track maintenance at that Holidays with their parents, Operator and Sympathy is extended to Portland Di• post. He was formerly trackman in our Mrs. W. H. McKay. vision Engineer Frank J. Breau upon the extra crew on the Calais Branch. death of his mother, Mrs. Jeremiah Breau, 85, in South Brewer, Christmas Eve. A new Railroad Club, to be known as the STATIONED at Quonset Vanceboro ''Flat Wheelers" was recently organized in Point, R. I. is Carpenter Bangor. At the last regular meeting re• Mate 3/c Roy Mac- By HAKKV I). DAVIS freshments of "Diesel Oil and Washers" Gregor, former plumber (coffee and doughnuts) were served. The at Bangor who was re• Your correspondent in his recent visiting club is composed of model electric railroad called to active duty in the sick included calls on Clerks R. E. enthusiasts. the Navy last year Grant and W. M. Russell and found them The Ladies' Auxiliary of the B of LK both much improved, while Clerk C. W. and F recently elected the following of• Beers returned to work Jan. 9. ficers for 1952: Mrs. Lillie Caruso, presi• During the months November and Decem• dent ; Mrs. Ida McPheters, vice-president; ber there were imported through the Port Mrs. Ruth Dowling, chaplain ; Mrs. Helen of Vanceboro, from Canada, 237 cars of Merrithew, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Grace Christmas trees. Imagine the number of Fernald, collector ; Mrs. Flora Duddy. war• folks made happy in their distribution. den ; and Mrs. Mary Dauphinee, inner Due to increase in volume business guard. The meeting was held at the home through this gateway, a second switcher of Mrs. Merrithew. Mrs. Fernald assisted crew has been set up. This and the five- by Mrs. Duddy installed the new officers. Bangor Car Department day week assignment for yardmen in effect Machinist Helper Joseph Paradis. House• Jan. 1 has resulted in five men added to man H. N. Clark and Machinist A. C. Cyr By C. A. JEFFERDS the staff. have all been hospitalized recently. A welcome sight Jan. 16, was the Gov• ernment Coast Guard Boat which pro• ceeded to break out the ice in the river. The first vacation of the year was en• FIVE BROTHERS, all natives joyed by Carman H. E. Blaisdell who with of Springfield, got together his wife visited friends in New York State. at the home of Byron 3. HOME FOR NEW YEAR'S was Cpl. James E. Roach, Scott, Brewer for the first shown with his parents Engine Houseman and Mrs. A name recently noticed in the Bangor time in 50 years, July 1, M. J. Roach, Bangor. A former member of Perkins' Daily News was that of Harold E. Rogers 1951. Left to right, front Extra Crew for six years before entering the service, who with R. M. Flagg founded the R. M. row, John A., 65, Lynn, Roach has been serving with the combat engineers and Flagg Company in 1927. Harold, prior to Mass., Winfield, 70, of Lin• will soon embark for overseas duty that, was an electrician in the Pass Yard coln, Walter E. now of Lynn, and is now in business in Lewiston. Mass., 67. Back row, Byron C. F. Lambert is substituting in H. E. B. of Brewer, 62, and James Our sympathy is extended to the family Blaisdell's place in Freight Yard during E. of Orono, age 72. John of Horace H. Doughty, popular Bangor his vacation. Scott worked at the Bangor Baggageman, who died Dec. 24. He has A new face in our force at Union Station Engine House under F. S. been employed as baggageman at Bangor is Eugene Lagasse. Whitney in 1907; James since October 1918, and will be missed by Scott worked as carman un• all. 11. J. LaForge is substituting at North• der P. G. Smith in 1914 - Our facilities at Eastport were certainly ern Maine Junction as carman. m 1915; Walter E. Scott worked well blanketed with snow last month when Mrs. M. L. Jewett, wife of Coach Clean• as brakeman in 1908, trans• a snow fall was recorded on Jan. 8th of er M. L. Jewett. is visiting friends in ferred to switchman in 1909 16.8 inches with winds of 60 MPII, leaving Springfield, Mass. and resigned in 1918; last but not least is Byron B. 14 Scott who started as brake- man in 1908 and is still go• ing strong as yard conductor glad to see him have such a nice future worked in the Freight Office at one time, as to look ahead to. well as other offices in the Terminal. Spare Operator William Burdwood has Our correspondent, Mrs. Alice A. Mc• been relieving at Steep Falls for the past Laughlin, now car clerk, recently spent a two weeks. Agent Overfield has bid off an• few days with her brother and family in other job down East; and we understand Eastport. It was lucky she didn't arrive the new agent will be L. A. Campagna. after that severe storm they had down that The plumbers are finishing up the new way or she might have become snowbound. heating system at the Engine House. A We send our best wishes for a speedy number of space heaters are being in• recovery to Mary Ellen, daughter of Freight stalled, and the electricians have been wir• Clerk Edwin C. Noyes, she being a patient ing up the motors for the blowers. It at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. should be a good working installation when done. Rigby Car Department

BANGOR ENGINE HOUSE FORCE IN 1920—Charlie Leard sends in this old timer and says that the large By BILL HALE gentleman in center of front row is Frank S. Whitney, at his left J. W. Furrow who was foreman of locomotive Calamity Report From The Car Depart• repairs, at his right Miss Priscilla Leonard and then yours truly. The second from left is H. A. Libby, now ment : Carman Neils Axelson, who has foreman at Calais and the third from the right, standing back of the first two fellows holding their hats is Leo been off sick for about a month, is back to J. Beaulieu, now B&M Foreman at Concord, N. H. The bald headed gentleman directly back of Mr. Whitney work. was Harry E. Colman, a former Portland Division engineer and was locomotive inspector at time photo was taken. The old gentleman, bald and with a mustache leaning against the wall at the right background is the Coach Cleaner Harold Miller, was off sick late H. H. Butterfield who for years was general air brake inspector for the Maine Central with headquarters several days. in Portland and who at the time of picture was in charge of Air Brake repairs at Bangor Carman John Bodge has been off sick for Portland Freight Office and quite some time and while showing some Freight House improvement is still not able to return to One of the Eastern Division engineers work. came in the other day to request a pass to By MARJOUIE J. QUIGLEY AND ALICE Carman Daniel Norton is still off sick. Washington, D. C. and asked me if it en• MCLAUGHLIN Coach Cleaner George Lynch lost several titled him to a hangover in New York. Assistant Delivery Clerk Patrick J. Flynu days on account of sickness. A surprise farewell party was recently mountain attended the Ice Follies in Boston recently. Coach Cleaner Arthur Fields has re• tendered for Raymond Spaulding, billing He was accompanied by his niece and turned to work after several days' sickness. clerk at Bangor Freight Office, and he was nephew. Coach Cleaner Henry Stackhouse has also the recipient of a substantial gift. Refresh• Motor Operator John J. O'Donnell and returned to work after being out sick. ments were served following dancing by Beecher Falls, Vt. sister, Mrs. Mary McCann, have returned Harris Twombly, former Coach Cleaner Pops Old Time Band of Bangor. Raymond at Union Station, passed away Jan. 3. 1952 By D. W. DECOSTER home after a most enjoyable trip to New leaves soon to enter the Armed Forces. Orleans. in the Pembroke Sanitarium at Pembroke, Mrs. Flora A. Grant, 91, died Jan. 10 in The New Year started in cold and the We extend our sympathy to Head De• N. H. after a long illness. Sympathy is Hampden. Among the survivors are Frank pulpwood is moving well. "Stowell's Extra" livery Clerk Michael G. Norton in the re• extended to his wife and relatives. E. Grant, a former Portland Division engi• handles thirty or more loads from the Coos cent death of his uncle, in Boston, Mass. Carman Helper James Sproul, 76 years neer and L. L. Grant who was a fireman on every night. Loader and Caller William J. Farrell has old, retired Jan. 18 after 33 years' service the Maine Central Railroad for years. One While visiting General Agent Ranee retired to accept annuity under the terms at Cumberland Mills. In all this time he of the daughters surviving is the widow of Campbell of Berlin, recently, we saw of the Railroad Retirement Board, on Dee. only lost six days' work on account of sick• Harry Craven who was night foreman at former BX Operator Philip Brooks. Phil 31, 1951. Also, Freight Checker Bartley J. ness and everyone wrho knew him wTill miss Bangor Engine House for a long time. She is relief agent on the Grand Trunk. He Flaherty, on Dec. 19, 1951. Freight Checker seeing "Old Jim" around, but we will all be also left 25 grand-children and many great-"- mentioned the night that he and Joe Tur- Clifford H. Foss, on Dec. 31. 1951, and at pulling for him to enjoy the pension he has grand-children. cotte spent in Sherbrooke several years the same time, Loader and Caller John A. surely earned and live to a ripe old age. ago. Do you remember, Joe? As someone said. "Our railroad would Griffin. Our best wishes are tendered to all Laborer Asa Worcester has traded his tin be much better off if those who had noth• of these boys, who will be greatly missed by lizzie and is now the owner of a 1951 vint• ing to say—would stop saying it." one and all. age. Boilermaker N. W. Nichols and his wife Bartlett, N. H. We extend our wishes for a speedy re• Carman Tom Manning has returned to feel quite elated over the fact that their covery to Mrs. Shea, wife of Freight work following his vacation and injury. son Earl F. Nichols, who has just completed By BUD BURDWOOD Checker Dennis J. Shea, who has returned Carman Raymond Laburge is taking his three years' service in Germany, is now Domestic incidents : Trackman Ray Tripp to her home after being a patient at the vacation early as usual. back in the United States and is located at in trying to kill a fly with a swatter broke Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. Carmen Fred Porter and Martin Norton Fort Jay, N. Y. awaiting his discharge. a window, then told his wife that the cat A delightful get-together is anticipated are also on their vacations. They also are receiving congratulations on did it while jumping through. on Saturday evening. Jan. 19, 1952. when Coach Cleaner Mary Geary. Simmie Butts the birth of a grandson. Philip, born to Retired Trackman Buzzell Nealley is in a joint installation of officers of the Clerks' and Bernard Kearns are among the early their son Sgt. Irvin Nichols and wife at the hospital and reported to be doing well. and Freight Handlers' Union will be held vacationers. Dow Field Hospital on Jan. 13. New Arrivals : To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon at the Falmouth Hotel, at 7:30 P.M. A Carman Martin Conley is taking his va• F. Nealley, a son, named Stephen. And to large number are expected to attend, where cation Jan. 19, also a month in addition and Work is progressing on the installation Mr. and Mrs. Francis Graves, a son. Both a nice roast beef with all the fixings dinner is going to spend the time sunning himself of the new filter washing and drying ma• fathers are trainmen and are highly pleased will be held. in Flordia. chine at Bangor. Electrician F. R. Smith right now. • and his helper Donald Wing of the Signal We do extend our thanks to Section Fore• man Gerald E. Coggins and crew for keep• Department are doing the electrical part The pulpwood business on the Coos has Rigby Engine House of the job.. Machinist C. L. Shepherd and increased so much that a change in train ing the "sixty steps" so clean during our service has been made. 377's extra now innumerable snow storms this winter, as is his helper Kempton Johnston the mechanical By ALBERT B. WETMORE work and Arthur Cust is handling the runs into Bartlett and out each morning as always the case every year. Keep the good 378's extra. The night extra from Beecher work up, boys. Assistant Foreman James B. Marcroft plumbing end. When the apparatus is was reported out sick late in the preced• eventually put into operation it will be Falls to Lancaster and return seems to have Nancy Lee Mizula. daughter of Freight plenty to do. also. We have good prospects Checker William J. Mizula, recently visited ing month, and is receiving treatments al• capable of washing and servicing 40 diesel most daily at the hospital, although not filters per hour. of plenty of pulpwood loading at Essex, as • her sister in Bangor, who is a member of well, and the Gilman extra now runs to the orchestra at the "Lodge," Lucerne-in- confined. We all hope for his quick re• Raymond W. Cunningham of the Bangor that point each trip. Maine. covery, and to see him back with us once Freight Office was elected eminent com• Conductor Frank A. Pitman has retired We all send our best wishes for a rapid more. mander of St. John's Commandery at the and is on his way to Florida at this writing. and complete recovery to "Chick" Coyne A report on the usual Christmas Basket ,reeent annual meeting held in Masonic Frank has a home down there and expects of the Assistant Auditor of Disbursements fund as I stated in my column for the Hall, Bangor. to remain there permanently. We are all office, after her untimely accident. "Chick" month of December would be given in this

16 17 bountiful feast. One of the Pratt turkeys at present. Verne Coe, spare board xing jury. Mr. Fuller is expected back in the weighing 24 pounds was the center of at• operator, is covering Bodge's job. office before this is printed. traction. Have your eyes, ears been examined yet Freight Handler and Mrs. Wilbrod Audet Laborer Joseph Cribby tells me his son this year? If not then go pay a visit to were recent "week enders" in Boston where Ralph who is in Korea sends home some Mr. E. H. Winslow, examiner at Union they enjoyed the Ice Capades. beautiful silk garments to his mother. Station, in his private car east end of the Spare Operator M. R. Graham is cover• We have two of our employes hospital• yard. The number of the car is No. 1002, ing second trick at ticket office temporarily. ized : Machinist William Tatarczuik and Ma• can't help seeing it. Even if you have a A few friends, including several Maine chinist Helper Walter Anderson. card saying it has been examined and good Central employes, helped Retired Freight Engine Dispatcher "Koke" Kane who has till June or July of 1952, see him again Handler Arthur C. Davis observe his 83rd been out sick for some time will be back and if you pass his test, he will issue an• birthday Jan. 7. The evening was spent with us by the time this issue goes to other-card which will expire in 1954. playing cribbage and refreshments includ• press. Just received word that a brakeman in ing two birthday cakes were enjoyed. Probably one of the most exceptional the Portland Terminal yards has written a Retired Telegrapher "Eddie" Barrett seen events happened during the month to 90- poem about railroading it follows on the lately says he feels well and is looking for• year-old Alfred J. Burke, father of Store• same line, " 'Twas The Night Before ward to his garden this summer. keeper Didace Burke, who by the way was Christmas." Informers have revealed to a former employe of the old Thompson's me that it is a dandy poem and should be Point shop days. He was taken to the published in a railroad magazine. This hospital for a hernia operation, and did brakeman who wrote the poem does not Gardiner not know when they did the job on him. A LITTLE RELAXATION for George "Red" Miller, wish to have his name mentioned, he's very By M. L. SANBORN Rigby machinist, after a hard (?) day's work Here's how it happened. He was taken to modest. the operating room, as he supposed, for Yule Sawyer, brakeman with Portland Station Agent David Cameron had a few observation, but they gave him a local Terminal, has just arrived back to work days off this month. anaesthetic and performed the operation. issue of the Magazine. It was a success after being out sick for quite some time. It is rumored that there is a plan in The next day he was asked by visitors how Tommy Caufield. conductor of second the making to have a rubber bumper in• as usual. Those taken care of through the he felt. His answer to the question was, he collection were Boilermaker George Preston trick Yard No. 7 job, gives this reporter stalled on the end of the passenger sta• felt a little sore but they hadn't operated light signals from his lantern every eve• tion platform in order to lessen the shock Kankins, Machinists James W. Mudd. Eu• yet. gene A. Pollard and Arthur F. Fossett. ning coining back from doing his work at of operator Wendall Lewis' car bumping Richard Cote, son of Machinist and Mrs. Allan Pollack, B and B crew carpenter, Yard No. 7, and going through the station into it. Theodore Cote, sends word from Korea that made a rather hasty visit to Chipman, New to Yard No. 8. Thanks Tommy. I notice Operator Eben Lord wishes to thank those he is well, and is in the transportation di• Brunswick on account of a death and sick• those signals, and look forward to them fellow workers for their thoughtfulness vision. He drives a big 10-wheeler am• ness in his family. when on duty at tower. during his recent illness. Eben is back munition truck. He sent several beautiful There were two minor automobile acci• Walter Nelson, swing shift switchtender working now and we are all glad to see y gifts home at Christmas time made by the dents during the month. Laborer Edward east and west end of Union Station, is also that he has recovered from his operation. natives of that country. Thome's car received damage in a rear end pleased with the five day a week program. Freight Clerk Clyde Cooper had a birth• William Bricc, son of Machinist James collision, and your reporter lost a fender. Now he can spend more time at home with day party celebration at his home in Brice, has received his discharge from the The new shop committee for the Ma• his family. Winthrop on Saturday, Jan. 12, 1952. service and is now with the Walters Trac• chinist organization for 1952 was appointed Clyde being a member of the Winthrop B^ire tor Company, Long Island. New York. Our by its President, Linwood Sweatt. Chair• Department had the Chief of the Fire De• railroad has several Walters tractors. man, Linwood Sweatt, Eugene Annett, partment and other brother firemen among Laborer Bromalaus Siska tells me his Laurence Lanciault, and Joseph Ashley. the many guests who attended this eventful son Andrew was home for Christmas but Truck Driver Lester Walker and Laborer affair. will soon go to Korea. He is in the TJ. S. John McCarthy of Store's Department are Baggageman Olin Gordon has been get• Navy. out sick. ting some big pickerel catches from a lake Our safety record took a tumble on the' over New Freedom, Maine this month. It last day of December, when Stationary En• was rumored that some of these fish were gineer Arnold Cheney was injured at Rig• Terminal Notes Augusta so big that the hole in the ice into which by Power Plant. He was caught and thrown the lines were thrown had to be enlarged By FRANCIS A. MORELLI several times so that the caught fish could by the air compressor belt. He is. however, By ELLIS E. WALKER expected to recover and be as good as Yours truly wishes to thank Portland be landed. ever. The board now reads 17 days at this Terminal employes who sent Christmas Sympathy of all is extended to the widow Signal Maintainer George Curtis is busy date. cards, it was very thoughtful of you all. of Harry P. Lowell, second trick operator campaigning for a local candidate in these Stores Department employe Frank Kane Heard that Joseph Flaherty, first trick here 36 years. parts. George hasn't made any speeches took a belated vacation in December. He yard clerk at West Yard, Rigby, is coming Spare Operator E. O. Walton is acting yet or kissed any babies, that we know of, bad 4 or 5 days coming to him. along fine in a local hospital. general agent in place of General Agent but we are all pulling for him as he is evi• Machinist George Weeks returns to work Ed Waterhouse, second trick xing oper• P. E. Fuller who is laid up because of in• dently doing a good job. at the engine house after a layoff of sev• ator at Union Station, who was hit by an eral months. He was assigned the job automobile Nov. 13, is still in the hospital vacated by Machinist Laurence Lanciault and is recuperating from his injuries rap• on the third trick, there being no bidders idly. who could qualify who were working at the Maury Eaton, spare board call boy at shop. He had been employed at the Ports• West Yard. Rigby, when not working call mouth Navy Yard. boy job. shovels snow for a living off duty. Electrician Walter Emery went ice fish• He helped clean snow from switches at ing, and although he caught no fish, he did Union Station one Sunday in January, find five black ducks that were frozen in when Portland Terminal appealed over the STEAM HEAT FOR A FLOODED MILL the ice. radio for snow shovelers. was provided by our locomotive 464 Hn Sheetmetal Worker Archibald T. Pratt One local brakeman is happy that they in December when ice backed up the finishes his turkey project for 1951. He went on five days, and that is no other Penobscot River at Old Town and had birds ranging in weights up to 27 than congenial, smiling Ralph Arnold. He flooded boilers and a large section pounds. He had a case of tender-hearted• used to own head pin job on the 3rd trick of the dye house of the Ouenegan Mill ness at the last moment and called in a Union Station, until 1st of New Year. He of the American Woolen Company. professional poultry dresser to prepare his now owns the swing job as switchtender The locomotive supplied steam pres• pets for market. at west end of Union Station. . •» sure to keep the pipes from freezing, B. and B. Crew Carpenter Sam Austin only to find itself anchored to the Clarence Bodge, third trick Union-Station rail by ice when the emergency was had a family reunion at Thanksgiving. xing operator, believes in taking his two There were 14 who seated themselves at a over. It was short work to dislodge weeks vacation early. He is already on one it, however (Bangor Daily News photo by Joe Cobb) 18 Waterville Station manage the American end of the Brewery business if the assets of the company were By M. W. FLYXT in a fluid condition and that the company Operator R. L. Achorn is off duty on ac• remain in a liquid status. In anticipation count of illness. Operators Wakefield and and appreciation of the managership Henry Dart covering. has presented Bill with a Panama hat with Mr. N. S. Richardson of The Santa Fe square corners in the crown. was a recent caller in town. Welder Harold Varney, at the present Our holiday traffic was excellent thanks writing, is at home and coining along fine to the vagaries of the weather man who though he expects to return to the hospital grounded planes and iced up the highways. at some near future date for surgery. Conductor E. F. Cook has been off several Brother Leroy Webster has purchased a weeks due to sickness. We hope that he new 5 hp garden tractor and is booking will soon be able to resume work. orders for plowing and haying, come spring. Conductor G. L. Wheeler has returned to Checker Wallace Jewell has been bitten duty after being off a few days recovering by the- virus bug and has been confined to from a fall. the sack for a short period. It is with deep regret that we learn of Laborer Stephen "Pete" Moran long on GRANDCHILDREN of Signal Maintainer George Curtis, the sudden death of Operator Harry P. the sick list, died recently at his home in Gardiner are, left to right, Georgia Lee, seven, and Lowell of Augusta. Oakland. Tracy, six, Curtis. They're the son and daughter of Car Inspector E. N. Jones with Mrs. Mill Foreman Ernest Blckford has been popular Portland disc jockey and announcer George Jones have just returned from a short va• laid up with virus pneumonia recently and Curtis, Station WGAN cation spent in south Florida. "Urn" re• Abe Johnston has been ramrodding the ports a fine time but says that he was glad cabinet shop in the interim. to see snow again. Foreman Percy Brown has been laid up Signal Maintainer Helper Fred Pickings Operator L. E. Mcintosh has taken the for a few days with several broken bones either lost the running boards on his ear Tower "A" sw-ing position while Operator in his toe, resulting from a dropped steam or took them off for some unknown rea• C. Crandlemire takes the third trick at heat connector. son. He has had an offer to sell, but Fred MARRIED at a candlelight ceremony Jan. 8 at the Tower "A." Foreman Ralph Patterson has been a re• Pleasant Street Methodist Church, Waterville, were wouldn't comment on the subject when ap• Operator Rene Michaud is now in Ger• cent visitor in Baltimore, Md. inspecting proached the other day. Dwight W. Sparrow, son of Draftsman and Mrs. many and is attached to an Army communi• the new General Motors Electro-Motive Laurence W. Sparrow, Waterville Shops, and Louise Section Foreman Albert Allaire is off cation group. Plant there. Pat also had the opportunity Jewett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Jewett of sick with the flu. Edward L, Newton, sec- F. J. Holland, express office cashier, has to visit the Baltimore and Ohio repair Benton (Photo by Braadland) tionman, is filling-in for Albert during his been transferred to agent's position at shops watching both diesel and steam loco• illness. Manchester, N. H. Congratulations Fred. motive overhaul. Pat says the MCRR Shops still look darn good to him. Section Foreman Eddie Gamache at Rich• Machinist Charlie Whitney has returned mond, is off sick also and Sectionman Rich• Miss Evelyn L. Jewett and Dwight W. Sparrow, USN, were united in marriage at to work after being confined to the Togus ard Lewis from South Gardiner is filling in Hospital with a severe case of blood poison• for him. Waterville Shops the Methodist Church in a candlelight ser• vice on Jan. 8. Dwight is the son of ing- . „ . Jimmie Gordon, Baggageman Olin Gor• By KEX STEVENS Draftsman and Mrs. Lawrence Sparrow, Retired Blacksmith Welder John Tramor don's brother, fills in as spare baggageman and at present is stationed on the USS New died Jan. 9. He had been active until re• on Saturdays at the Gardiner Station. Magazine News from the Mainspring of Jersey. cently and sold seafood to the boys in the the Maine Central Works : The line forms Mail Carrier Adolphe Turcotte seems to Machinist Helper Reggie Breton has re• shops. He had about 45 years' service with be well rested now after his strenuous work at the right, boys, and don't crowd. Fore• the Maine Central. man Bill Otis has been notified officially cently bid off a job on the Setting Up side handling mail over the Christmas Holidays., and his former job in the Wheel Room is Carman R. Hugo Small is on the sick that he has fallen heir to a share in a list. Garage Foreman Nick Ballard of the brewery, in Gutenborg, Sweden. Bill re• being covered by Helper Walter Moores. Seaman and Mrs. Daniel Oliver of Nor• Among Car Department helpers recently Railway Express Agency in Lewiston was ceived an official letter addressed "Jarn- furloughed are Gus Campbell, Art McKon- a caller at the express office this month. vagstjanstemannen" William D. Otis, which folk, Va. have been visiting his parents, BTU Engineer and Mrs. Ango Oliver. kie, Frank Johnson, Urban Dulac and Joe Engineer Harry Pettingill has found a literally translated means "Servant of the A new potential stenog for the RR is Bouchard. new place to park his car evenings while Railroad." (Bill allows that after some 30 Carman Helper Virgil Harding is filling he is away in Waterville covering his job years' service that the translation is ap• Velma Marie, born to Carman and Mrs. Sid propriate.) Hereafter Bill will be pleased Brown, Jr., on Dec. 13 at the Thayer. in for Carman Junior Dow while Dow is on there. Harry used to push the car in the vacation. Station Yard, but ice and snow conditions to be addressed as Braumeister. Former Machine Apprentice Ernest Niles, made it quite difficult to get started for Painter Henry Pooler, upon hearing Bill who accepted a position as private in the Carman Maurice Thibodeau is spending a home, especially after a heavy snow fall. Otis' good fortune, graciously offered to Army, has been a recent visitor at the hitch as ear inspector in the yard crew. Shops while on furlough. Machinist and Mrs. Burr Blanehard re• Another bell ringer in the Stork Derby is cently observed their 30th wedding anni• Tractor Driver Ralph Brickett who, with versary on Dec. 31, 1951. the capable assistance of Mrs. Brickett, Harry Boucher, bolt machine operator, is brings forth another potential Railroader candidate for some sort of prize as he in son Clayton, born Dec. 12. caught a 5%-lb. pickerel through the ice Laborer Bob Tully is sporting a new set recently. GOODBYE to old Train of choppers. Watchman Stoddard Stevens recently Wilfred, Laurier, Ernest and Lewis, sons 20 Sept. 29 at Water• of Paint Helper and Mrs. Albert Lacroix, ville as Baggagemaster brought in a fine 53-lb. beaver that he hail trapped. have gone to California to work in the air• Raymond Barriault, left, plane industry. loads the last baggage Mrs. Betty L., wife of Painter Bill Mingo, and mail, and right, she has been discharged from the Sisters' after Painter Charlie and Mrs. Lawry have been gets ready to pull out of a long illness. in Boston attending the Ice Capades. the Waterville station Painter Henry Pooler has received word The committee on organization for the that his daughter Beatrice is secretary of new Railroad Men's Club are making a the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, concerted drive for an increased member• California. ship. The club affords you an evening, Joyce and Gale Kendall of Melrose, Mass. each month, of instruction and entertain• have been spending their school vacation ment and a good speaker is featured each with their grandparents. Foreman and evening to bring you topics of interest Mrs. Eddie Johnston. about railroading and industry in general.

21 Hartland of the St. Agnes Guild at a lawn party held The "flu-ey bug" bit General Bookkeeper Mrs. Dennis Shea was a patient at a at L. A. Dysart's camp. Mrs. Sirois was Virgil C. Hawkes real hard, causing him to local hospital in January. an active member and is missed by all. be absent from his work for several days. Mrs. Coleman Conley, wife of Trainman By ANN NEWCOMB A few days earlier Clerk Paul Crawford Conley, was a patient at a local hospital. Second Trick Operator O. B. Buckely and was also off duty for the same reason. Mrs. Buckely went to Georgia to visit their While Leslie "Tater the Caterer" Cum- daughter-in-law and grand-daughter for mings did his annual stint for Uncle Sam the Christmas holidays. Eugene Wakefield, in the Post Office Department during the spare operator, relieved him for his vaca• Christmas rush, his brother, Eugene, ably ^ General Oltices substituted for him on the catering busi• tion. Operator Buckely is now all relaxed and back to the old churn. ness in the General Office Building. "Tate" reports that he had a gala New Year's Holi• Section Foreman Harvey Fillmore has a By MARY E. MORSE, ERNESTINE GRAVES day in Philadelphia, even acting as Mas• new traveling companion, Sectionman Vic• ter of Ceremonies at a big party ! tor Thompson, who also resides in Pitts- AND LILLIAN G. SMALL Members of the Accounting Department field. Thompson displaced Evan Reynolds Congratulations to Richard Whalen who who no longer works for the R. R. have asked your reporter to include a note was appointed assistant signal supervisor of thanks among this month's news items at Dover, N. H. for the Boston and Maine for the extra holiday time given us the Kailroad. afternoon before Christmas. We all ap• Among the weddings over the holidays preciated it. and many thanks, Mr. Miller. was Miss Barbara Betts of Bar Mills to Mrs. Prince, wife of Inspector Harry Burton W. Pease, chainman, Dec. 31, at 8 Prince, has been in the hospital fighting a A QUICK NAP of L. o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy bout with double pneumonia. We wish her King on No. 14 while Betts, parents of the bride. Attendants a very speedy recovery, "Hoppy" says he stopped in Pittsfield sta• were Mrs. Roger Betts, matron of honor, did fine with the housework, but running tion and Eugene Pease, best man. A reception the washing machine almost floored him! followed the wedding for relatives and What, no instructions with the machine? friends of the couple. Engineering Depart• ment employes presented Burton with a purse of money and best wishes. •llII • HERE'S THAT FAMOUS TEAM of Hunter and Fisher Charles Plumly. midshipman at Annapolis, (left to right) ready to take Train 12 out of Bangor Ray Hard is back to work after a spell Md., son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Plumly. of not feeling well, being relieved by the was on leave over the holidays, spending it 1 M *f old standby Arthur Soule. at home. If G. Wheeler, brakeman on Waterville- Mr. and Mrs. Percy H. Coombs (student Harmony extra, has been in the hospital track supervisor) are receiving congratu• 'dak due to an injury he received from a fall lations on the birth of a boy, James Har• recently. We are all glad to see he has re• mon, born Thanksgiving Day and weighing By JOHN J. KEATING turned to work. s lbs. It is rumored that Gil Fournier and Wishes are expressed for the speedy re• To Agent Stevens at Unity B. M. L. R. R. Wheeler are competing with .Toe Shaman. covery of Mrs. G. E. Nickerson, wife of —for your information I am apologizing for the error I made in calling the Agent Business on the branch is now at a peak, purchasing agent, who is a surgical pa• By JACK HAYES, CHARLIE EARLEY AND at Thorndike Mrs. Stevens. Figure Mrs. the weather has been tops for our pulpwood tient at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. JAKE ASTLE traffic. Among those taking late vacations in• Higgins is very happy to be Mrs. Higgins, agent at Thorndike. A bit of belated news : At the time Mr. cluded .lames E. Mills, Gertrude G. Shine The following little ode was received by Sirois left Pittsfield for his new agency at and Lillian G. Small. Sympathy is extended to the families and Operator Art Bennett from a lady pas• Skowhegan, Mrs. Sirois was presented with Clerk Grace Morrison had a fine vacation parents on the death of their loved ones. senger : a beautiful plate as a gift from the ladies the last week of December, visiting friends Engineman and Mrs. Joseph Malia, Mrs. Here's to the driver of a Maine Central and relatives in Massachusetts. Horace Doughty, Mrs. Thomas Vashaw, bus. Lena M. Hodge, secretary to the comp• and to Railway Express Station Foreman Who stalled in Welchville and began to troller, took advantage of the long Christ• Arthur Grant. cuss, mas week end by visiting at her home in Mrs. Charles Ready, wife of Engineman (She means fuss, of course) Colebrook. N. H. Ready, was a patient at the Eastern Maine Under the bus he had to crawl, Edward C. Paine, special assistant to the General Hospital at Bangor. At this writ• The ground was cold and that wasn't all. comptroller, was called to Bellows Falls, ing she was at home convalescing. So here is a fur robe, he can use while Vt. Dec. 23, because of business. B. M. Trainman George Johnson suffered on his back, Cigars were being handed out recently a broken arm and Maine Central Trainman So the South Paris bus can go and get by "Cliff" Ball, train crew dispatcher, be• Charles King a broken leg. back. cause of the birth of a grandson, Michael Trainman and Mrs.' L. W. Judkins of Eddie Frank is doing spare work out of Anthony, born to Sgt. and Mrs. Richard A. Itumford enjoyed a trip to the West Coast Lewiston, he is first spare. Ball, Dec. 27, in the Naval Hospital, Parris in December. Ken Marston has bid off the swing job in Island, S. C. Retired Conductor and Mrs. Pitman have Lewiston. purchased a home in Sanford, Fla. Come Frank Donnell (one time driver for Horace N. Woodbury, general accountant, back home once in a while for a visit, M. C. T. Co.) has returned home after one and Mrs. Woodbury, celebrated New Year's "Pit," year with the Armed Forces in Korea. by taking in the sights of Boston and at• tending a performance of the Ice Capades. Mrs. Woodbury, the lucky gal, also enjoyed a few days in New York during that same WHAT DATE was this old week. timer taken, asks owner Bob McComb, second The gang in the Cashier's Office state trick operator, Matta- that they are working on a big scoop for wamkeag. Shown in the our monthly news items! We just hope Foxcroft Yard, Maine they don't keep us in "suspenders" too long TRAIN CREW on the Waterville-Harmony Extra are, Central engine 142 was —we're impatient to know what's cooking ! ! used to haul the St. John left to right, Brakeman F. J. Sandy, taking G. (A switch in gender on two busy fifist floor Wheeler's place for the day, D. Desmond, engineer; Commandery on an excur• rooms trapped Leo the Lion but we under• sion, Portland to Fox• G. Fournier, rear brakeman; G. Miles, fireman; and stand he passed it off with complete savoir croft H. F. Clukey, conductor faire.)

22 23 "A Plea For The Puffers"

(Dwight Sargent is chief editorial writer for the Portland Press Her• ald. He's back at his desk after a year as a Newman Fellow at Har• vard University, a chosen mark of recognition for the working news• paperman. Dwight likes railroads and railroading men. He's ridden our diesels, taken his kids down by the station on Saturday morning and written about us graciously in his columns. He'd be the first to acknowledge the railroads' operating problems. Because he's a senti• mentalist too and expresses so vividly the thoughts of many railroaders, we're reprinting here one of his recent editorials.)

"Diesels have the muscles, but our purlers have the charm. Duller and gloomier the world will be when gray-black smoke puffs on the horizon no longer signal the presence of a steam engine riding the rails down below.

The thought saddened us, the other night, as we drove a few enchanting miles over the Newburyport Turnpike, an old sleam puffer alongside as a traveling com• panion.

Greetings, it whistled, with a rich steam whistle, bold and clear against the quiet sky. It's almost vulgar to mention a Diesel snort in the same paragraph. First the whistle, then the rattling dance of the wheels — biddleydurk, biddley- durk, biddleydurk. Say it right and it mimics the sound of the sooty local that pranced past us like a friendly hound, chuffing toward Portsmouth. The whistle, the biddleydurk of the wheels, the soothing sharpness of escaping steam, steam that oozes out from any old place In the big puffer-bellies — all a part of locomotive harmony so pleasing to the ears.

The sight of it was as exciting as the sound of it. The track ahead lit up by a proud beam from the headlamp. In the old days it might have flushed a hobo from the ties. Behind the lamp, the massive cloud of a black boiler, lumbering past the moon.

Down aft the firebox, door open on blaze-red coal, its glow squirting slantwise up into the night; the black paper-doll silhouette of the fireman, shovel in gloved hand, shuttling from fire door to coal pile like a ghost in an autumn cornfield. A line of vague blackness; the tender, baggage car with a porthole of light, a weary milk car, empty tank waiting on Portsmouth cows. A pair of snugly- coupled passenger cars, squares of orange windows blending into a shooting star of orange windows. Passengers. One or two. Maybe three, astride green velvet seats with backs that swing over so people can play whist atop scarred suitcases.

In the last window, the outline of a squarish hat, the kind French generals wear. Hat of the sleepy conductor, fumbling with penciled record of the trip. Red lantern perched aside the rear door, wobbling easily. And off she chuffed, toward Ports• mouth. Another whistle, sharpened by gusting wind, muted by distance, fainter now, a final volley of blddleydurks, a steamy grunt, and she was gone, swallowed up by pastures, elms and white church spires."