Vol. III, No. 1 JANUARY, 1942

A NEW YEARS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT WILLIAMSON TO ALL IN NEW YORK CENTRAL SERVICE:

As we enter the New Year my wish for all of you is that you may find in it that Fortunately, the railroads are better prepared than ever before to assume their happiness of spirit which only right thinking and right action in the face of full share of the national effort. We have men trained and skilled in their work. adversity can give. We have plant facilities unequalled anywhere else in the world. Our operating practices have been developed to a high degree and shippers are whole-heartedly The world is, temporarily, in darkness; but if we pause to think we find every cooperating to enable us to operate soundly. reason to have faith. In the right spirit we shall come out of darkness to enjoy the blessings of a more enduring peace. But the road will be long and hard and will The spark to set our transportation machine into the most effective action is the call for all we have to give. patriotic, enthusiastic spirit of that great army of men who run the railroads. I am sure that spark will not be lacking; I know New York Central men and I believe The share of the American railroads in our common task is a large one. We that they and all other railroad men will do their job and do it well, in the knowl• must move in an ever increasing stream the men of our armed forces and the edge that they are speeding the defeat of the enemy and preserving the security equipment and food supplies for them and for our allies. We must move the raw of the American way of life. materials and the finished products of the industry and agriculture upon which those armed forces and allies depend. We must move food stuffs and other essen• Sincerely yours, tials to keep our civilian population going. And we must do all this without delay. F. E. WILLIAMSON, President

83,634 View Mrs. H. H. Lehman, Wife of New York State Governor, Christens Empire B. & A. Marks State Express Super-Streamliner in Grand Central Terminal New Empire on Centenary of Curtailed Tour Pioneer Route In an unexpectedly curtailed tour One hundred years ago — December before entering service, December 7, 27, 1841 —through passenger rail one of the two new streamlined trains service between Boston and Albany for the Empire State Express "played was established over the Boston & to" an admiring audience of 83,634 peo• Worcester and the Western Railroad. ple in New York City, Albany, Schen• These two pioneer railroads were com• ectady, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, bined in 1867 to form the Boston & Westfield, Erie and Buffalo. Everywhere Albany, now an operating division of the New York Central System. it was acclaimed as the most comfort- able and beautiful day train so far The Boston & Albany was thus one built. of the first railroads constructed in the United States during the era The exhibition train of the "Em• of Empire building and development of pire" was unfortunately prevented the West. It actually preceded by ten from fulfilling its scheduled tour to years the completion of the Hudson Cleveland and Detroit because its River Railroad between New York twin running mate, returning East City and Albany. from tests on the Toledo Division, re• The original road in the Boston & ceived a large number of flat wheels Albany was the Boston & Worcester, as the result of a grade crossing acci• chartered June 23, 1831, and opened dent in heavy fog near Dunkirk. The for seven miles, to Newton, April 16, exhibition train, therefore, returned 1834. Service began with two trains early to New York City to prepare daily from Boston to Newton and for its first run. return. The station in Boston was at The exhibition tour began Monday the corner of Washington Street and morning, December 1, in Grand Cen• Indiana Place (now Corning Street), tral Terminal, when Mrs. Herbert which was also the first railroad sta• H. Lehman, wife of Governor Leh• tion in Boston. man of New York State, christened The road was opened to Ashland the "Empire." Speakers during the September 20, 1834; to Westboro ceremonies were Governor Lehman, November 15, 1834, and to Worcester M. J. Alger, Vice President, Traffic, July 4, 1835. A newspaper account of who represented President F. E. Wil• the day read: liamson, and Edward G. Budd, Presi• "The Boston & Worcester Railroad dent of the Edward G. Budd is now brought so near its completion Manufacturing Company, Philadelphia, that the Cars have commenced running builder of the twin 16-car trains for regularly for the accommodation of the "Empire." the public. On Saturday the 4th, four Among the notable figures present engines with trains of cars each carry• at the ceremonies were former Gov• ing in the whole 1,500 passengers ran ernor Alfred E. Smith and Mrs. over the road four times ..." Smith; James A. Farley; Newbold The first Board of Directors con• Morris, President of the New York sisted of Nathan Hale, David Hen- City Council, and New York State shaw, George Bond, Thomas Motley, Public Service Commissioners George Daniel Denny, Joshua Clapp and R. Lunn and Maurice C. Burritt. Henry Williams. Mr. Hale, a relative of Captain Nathan Hale of the Revo• Immediately after the ceremonies lution and father of Rev. Edward the large throng which was waiting Everett Hale, was President. John M. to view the stainless steel super- Fessenden, a West Point graduate, streamliner early in the day began to was Chief Engineer. file through the train. The locomotive On November 7, 1836, the first sta• was placed on one track and the tion on Washington Street was aban• train on another, adjacent. The ex• doned, the road moving into a new hibition ended at 11 p.m., after station at the corner of Beach and 35,102 people had enthusiastically ap• Albany Streets on the site of the pres• proved the new "Empire." ent Albany Building, Kneeland Street Bad weather and short exhibition being crossed at grade. This station periods, on the second day of exhibi• was in use from 1836 until September tion in Albany, Schenectady and Utica, 5, 1881, when the Boston & Albany held the number of visitors down to moved into its new station on Knee- 8,331. On the third day, in Syracuse land Street. The Kneeland Street Sta• and Rochester, a total of 19,382 vis• At top, snapshot of the actual christening, which was done with New York State wine. Left to right, Newbold Morris, tion of the Boston & Albany was ited the train. In Westfield, more President of the City Council, New York; Edward G. Budd, President of the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, abandoned for passenger trains July than one-half of the entire population builder of the twin trains; Mrs. Lehman and at right Mrs. F. E. Williamson, wife of the President of the New York 23, 1899, when the Boston & Albany viewed the train, and in Erie 9,219 Central System; M. J. Alger, Vice-President Traffic, New York Central System, and Governor Lehman. trains came into the South Station. more people were attracted by the Above at right, M. J. Alger, Vice-President Traffic, who represented President Williamson, who was unavoidedly absent The first station of the Boston & "Empire." in Washington, is shown as he broadcast over the coast-to-coast Columbia Broadcasting System. Worcester in Worcester was on Foster Above at left, Governor Lehman is photographed in the cab of one of the Empire's new streamlined super-Hudsons, (Concluded on page 8) of 4800 horsepower. (Concluded on page 8] 2 Central Headlight

culars" that must be placed on file in their proper order. Old Homespun I believe this whole business is Central Headlight regulated by law so we cannot do much By H. P. Palmer about it but I have worked at stations Published monthly for New York Central System employes and their families where the weight of the tariffs on file in nine states and two provinces of Canada by the Department of Public Rela• exceeded the weight of the outbound tions. Contributions are invited but no responsibility is assumed for their THE country station agent has never spun school of Americana that the return. Editorial offices, Room 1528, 466 Lexington Avenue, New York City. received much publicity. People will country station agents are held to• freight shipments for an entire year. travel two thousand miles just to see gether by common bonds of doctrine, Editor a cowboy and there are over a hun• principles and methods. dred cowboy ballads that have at• Of course, the life of a country C. W. Y. Currie tained popularity. But no one has agent has undergone many changes in written a ballad about the country From Our Readers recent years. He is no longer the sole station agent. Associate Editors means of communication with the out• The citizens of rural communities Likes the Century Frank A. Judd C. A. Radford side world; the radio has changed all have always been greatly interested in of this. I remember back in Novem• The following letter was received Chicago Cincinnati the operation of the railroad that ber, 1916, being located at a small recently by F. E. Williamson, Pres• serves them. Every farmer knows the station on the New York Central when ident: schedule and the number of many the presidential election was held. No "In these days of turmoil and un• Volume 3 January, 1942 No. 1 trains. When a new locomotive is as• one could tell for certain whether pleasantness I am of the opinion that signed to Train Number 7, the farmer Hughes or Wilson had been elected. when something nice can be said it takes pride in the change; he notes Farmers for miles around quit their should not be kept to oneself, hence We Can All Help to Win the War the number of the new engine and work and gathered at our station to this letter. comments on it when he comes to the await telegraphic reports. For one en• "On October 17 I left San Fran• station. tire day there wasn't a tap of work ODAY you don't have to carry a gun to be a soldier! cisco on the Union Pacific stream• Several years ago at a women's sew• done in that neighborhood, excepting liner and headed East. Two days later The moment Congress declared a state of war, that moment at the station. T ing society meeting held in a small I boarded the 20th Century in Chi• every railroad man automatically was enlisted actively, in effect, in village up in Dutchess county, New This business of an entire commun• cago, and exactly one month later York, the entire afternoon was taken the service of his country. ity gathering at the railroad station is took it back again in order to con• up with a discussion of the merits of an old American custom. On a single nect with the Super-Chief. In the Vital as has been railroad service heretofore, its importance today Engine 1505 as compared to the 1492 track division of the Central the last past fourteen years I have done a and hereafter, for the duration, is transcendent. which previously had been hauling the two trains of the day met at a station great deal of travelling in practically local freight. located in a country village of about every country in the world and it is The safety of ourselves, of our families and of our country; our In order to be successful, a rail• 800 population. The trains were sched• without the least hesitation that I say very liberty itself, depends upon a vast production of arms and sup• road, or any other business, must have uled in at 6:30. Everyone in the vil• perfectly frankly I have never been plies. Production depends upon transportation, of which the railroads the good will of its customers and it lage ate their supper at 5 o'clock, on anything finer than the 20th is in this item of good will that the changed their clothes and then went Century. must provide a major part, and that increasingly. No one except the country station agent has played so to the railroad station. After the trains "From the moment I set foot on railroad man, you, can do this job and upon the way you do it may important a part. had departed, the entire crowd pro• the train I was conscious of a certain ceeded to the post office and waited depend in large part the future of all of us. Let's just look at the case of a farmer atmosphere not usually found on such for the mail to be sorted; that officially who drives up to a country station conveyances. Every one seemed glad In the next few months immense new defense plants will be coming ended the day, so far as that village with a few barrels of apples for ship• to have me on board. I am speaking was concerned. into production. In addition, the decline in normal commercial manu• ment to the city, 75 miles down the in the first person, although I know facture will be balanced in part by the transformation of many peace• road. Before the apples can be re• Some 25 years ago I was acting as this applies to every one. My com• ceived for shipment the farmer must agent at a very small station on the partment was immaculate, and as a time industrial plants into defense organizations. Upon railroad trans• provide a duly signed "Uniform Do• New York Central at Christmas time. matter of fact cheerful, the porter portation will depend, in the last analysis, their efficiency. mestic Straight Bill of Lading." The entire community depended upon solicitous, the conductor friendly, the that station for their limited enjoy• secretary efficient and courteous, and New York Central men, and their colleagues on other railroads, Did you ever examine one of those ment of Christmas. In addition to his the maid like a domestic of many bills of lading? The apples are ac• showed amazingly, in 1941, what they could do. In twelve months the regular duties, the agent was also the years' standing. cepted subject to the conditions on the post master and he operated a small railroads of the United States moved more tons of freight more miles bill of lading which consist of several "My dinner was served in my general store. Oh yes, the country sta• than were ever moved before, in an equal period, anywhere in the hundred words on the face of the pa• room quickly and well, the food was tion agent is a versatile sort of fellow. per and some four thousand words on delicious and the waiter made me world! At one station on the Central the feel as though he were actually re• its back. Perils of the sea—vessels in agent was Justice of the Peace for sponsible for my welfare. All of Of the railroads' performance, Chairman Eastman of the Interstate distress—the act of God—public ene• more than twenty years. He frequently which boils down to the simple fact mies—authority of law — riots — the Commerce Commission recently said: conducted court in his station. He had, that my trip to and from New York hazards or dangers incident to a state in his official position, married more on the 20th Century was one of "I think it fair to say that the railroads have performed as well as of war; are all covered in the wording than one hundred couples in his ticket complete satisfaction, and I take this

farmer has ever read the conditions office. Passengers on trains stopping at opportunity of thanking you and your Now comes a new and fateful year, with the country being placed printed on a bill of lading. He couldn't that station would frequently observe staff for what I consider the acme of perfection. as fast as possible upon an all-out wartime economic basis. To perform do it and get home in time to do the a well dressed young couple on the platform and would wonder if they their tasks adequately, the railroads need more cars and more motive chores. He puts his faith solely in —Natalie Guggenheim Bowden." Charlie, Bill or Jim, the Station Agent, had alighted from the train, or if San Francisco, power, but whether, under existing circumstances, these can be ob• with whom he has been doing busi• they were going to get on it. They November 28, 1941. tained or not, the most intensive use of present equipment must be ness for years. were just waiting for the train to pull out of town so the station agent could It is possible for a man to work in maintained. unite them in holy matrimony while he an office at Grand Central Terminal Likes Harlem Service In this every New York Central man will play his individual part, clasped a "Standard Book of Rules of and still not be considered one of the From the New York Sun the Operating Department" in his left a part vital to the welfare of himself and of his family. The avoidance leading citizens of New York City. hand. To the Editor of The Sun—Sir: Af• of every unnecessary delay; the speeding up of routine duties; quick The country station agent is always a ter a recent rainy day in the Berkshires leading citizen of his village. Perhaps Every small village has at least one repairs to rolling stock and locomotives and inter-departmental team my daughter and I, on a home-hunting that is why the country agent is usu• man who is known as "the local char• trip, found ourselves being rushed work, beyond any heretofore known, are obvious means to this end. ally such a contented fellow. It is dif• acter" and that fellow spends most of from Egremont, Massachusetts, to his time hanging around the railroad We have done a good job; it is up to us to do a still better one. ficult for a man to work up much of Hillsdale, New York, to catch the last a reputation in New York—the place station. The "character" always keeps train back to New York City. We ar• Right in our present jobs, we can all help to win the war. is so large. I knew a man in a small his watch set right to the second with rived just as No. 26, New York Central village on the New York Central who railroad time. He meets all of the Railroad (Harlem Division pulled out Soldiers all! was famous because he had spent forty trains, is always ready to lend a hand from the station. Our friend honked years making a living at sawing wood with the baggage or express and is his horn and then ran along the plat- with a bucksaw. Now in these days usually a humorous sort of person— from waving his arms. Then the train we have men skilled as technicians strictly a product of the small Ameri• slowed down and stopped and the con• The Central Headlight and its editors extend to all its readers their greetings and as thaumaturgists, we never can village. ductor on the rear platform called out for the holiday season and their best wishes for the New Year. Luck to yez all! know what they work at, if anything. In the hope that some official may for him to run beside the tracks. How• Sawing wood is something we all read this article, I would like to point ever, when he saw two frantic, be• understand. It seems to fit into the out that there is just one little detail draggled women following, he had the American picture like apple pie, fried in connection with the job of country train backed to the platform. The Roundhouse chicken, frosty mornings, the little station agent that is not enjoyable. Breathless, we sank into the last seat red schoolhouse and a home run with Nearly every train brings in large en• and tried to express our thanks for By Sim Perkins the bases filled. It is in this home- velopes containing "tariffs" and "cir- what seemed a miracle of kindness. Soon we discovered that a valuable

Outside of the war, in this eastern One of the features of Grand Cen• paper had been lost in the scramble. end of the woods, about all the tral Terminal today is a huge Amer• Again the smiling conductor (E. R. folks can talk about just now is our ican flag, which is suspended over the Wandell) came to the rescue, sending from the next station a telegram, writ• new Empire State Express stream• arcade between the Main Concourse Information Booth ten upon a paper drinking cup, to our lines. These twin trains are hum• and the main waiting room. This flag, late host. Upon his own initiative he dingers. Wherever they were shown about 40 feet long, is one of the phoned the Hillsdale station master to on their exhibition tour they left the largest in the country and is the same BELOW are given the answers to a number of search the platform and report results folks gasping with admiration. Most one that was used to decorate the questions asked recently by some of our readers. at Pawling. It was not until we reached of the women, God bless 'em, wanted Concourse during the great Liberty Pleasantville that a negative answer to take home the stainless steel kitch• Loan rallies held there in the first They are printed here in the expectation that they will came. The telegram, however, brought ens in the dining car, not to mention World War. interest others besides those who made the inquiries: better news next day. some of those handsomely upholstered Placed in position as part of the 1—In terms of passengers carried, parlor and sleeping Altogether, such extreme courtesy movable deluxe chairs in the parlor decorations to mark the christening of car business in the first six months of this year was 27 shown by the employes of the railroad cars. the new Empire State Express, it is percent above that of 1940, and coach business was 15 has made us more than ever wish to And here's another thing, all the likely to remain where it is for the percent above that of a year ago. live in the beautiful neighborhood shorties in the crowds that swarmed duration of the war. through which it passes. through the cars discovered that for —The first of a series of Pacific locomotives. Class K-80, 2 JEAN MILNE GOWER the first time in their lives they had Earl E. Pierce, General Passenger was introduced on the Michigan Central Railroad in 1904. been given a break. Practically every• Agent, received his baptism of fire in Larger locomotives of this type were designed in 1907 and one of them, if he had been given front of a microphone during the 1911. These were the K-2's and K-3's, respectively. Allen Stuart, who announces Doro• time, would have tried out the new exhibition stops of the new Empire at thy Kilgallen's "Voice of Broadway" individual, adjustable foot rests, cov• Syracuse and Rochester. In both these 3—Of the 13,379,000 persons in New York State, about programs over Columbia network Sat• ered with soft rubber, that are a new cities he broadcast, in Syracuse for 90 percent live in the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys — urday mornings and Tuesday evenings, feature of each coach. These foot rests the first time, and came through the along the main line of the New York Central. makes a hobby of trains. make it possible for any passenger, ordeal magnificently. 4—The Michigan Central Railroad Company was char• whether his legs are short or long, to Incidentally, in every city which the tered March 28, 1846. have a foot rest that exactly fits his Empire visited on its exhibition tour, The first patent for a refrigerator jambs, Progress, I calls it! it was visited by the local mayor. car was issued in 1867. Central Headlight 3

Cleveland Legion's Sturgis, Michigan Railroad Station as it Appeared in 1878 New Officers for Boston Legion Post New Head is Bauer Sergeant Walter Garnett Post No. New York Central Lines Post No. 261 of the American Legion (employes 999, Inc., American Legion, Cleve• of the Boston and Albany Railroad) land, elected the following officers had officers for 1942 installed, October for 1942: 21, at the Hotel Lenox, Boston. Commander Geo. R. Bauer, Elec• Past Massachusetts Vice Commander trical Car Maintenance Dept., Collin• James P. McManus, assisted by Na• wood; First Vice Commander A. A. tional Assistant Sergeant at Arms Law• Senger, Electrical Car Maintenance rence Riley, installed the following: Dept., Collinwood; Second Vice Commander D. K. Solomon, Senior Commander C. J. Fischer, Locomotive Vice Commander F. J. Johnson; Junior Shops, Collinwood; Third Vice Com• Vice Commander W. L. Ten Eyck; Ad• mander G. C. Corwin, Assistant Yard jutant W. V. Dorney; Finance Officer Master, Collinwood; Adjutant K. A. C. W. Hawkins; Chaplain T. J. Dub- Heiny, Engineering Department, Cleve• bie; Historian F. L. MacEachern; Ser• land ; Finance Officer C. L. Rowe, Loco• geant at Arms E. A. West and Service motive Shops, Collinwood; Chaplain Officer J. J. Calligan. A. D. Judd, Boiler Shop Foreman, Speeches were made by J. L. Truden Linndale; Historian G. H. Carney, retired General Manager of the Boston Yard Conductor, Cleveland and Ser- and Albany, by the Post's Pas Com• geant-At-Arms C. L. Moss, Locomo• mander, J. J. McGuire, and by officers tive Shops, Collinwood. representing the State, the County and The new Auxiliary Unit officers various Posts of the American Legion. are: Among the guests were B. O. Roth, Foreman, Car Department; P. MacPhee President Mrs. K. A. Heiny; First Assistant Foreman, Car Department; Vice President Mrs. H. J. Criswell; Andrew Kenny, Foreman Car Cleaner Second Vice President Mrs. O. Nich• and H. Springer, traveling engineer. ols; Secretary Mrs. P. B. Brundage; Treasurer Mrs. E. C. Peterson; Chap• Refreshments were served. lain Mrs. F. A. Costello; Historian This old print of a passenger house and a freight train of 53 years ago is owned by Harold Freeland of Sturgis. The Mrs. J. Syzmanski and Sergeant-At- locomotive was a wood burner. Note the plug hat on a waiting passenger. Arms Mrs. A. G. Sheppard. Gone But Not Forgotten The officers were installed by A. R. The double trunked "elephants" Lynn, retiring Commander and the only national convention city which which have been blowing cold air into the cars at Grand Central Terminal for officers of the Auxiliary were installed has not heard its clanging bell and its W. T. C." Girl, 16, to Play with Symphony by Mrs. E. F. Gottfried, Retiring proud whistle. It carries the members the past ten years during the summer President, at Joint Installation Cere• to the points of interest in the cities months, are about to be retired to the jungle of scrap iron, as their usefulness monies held at the Post Club Rooms, where it goes and is always a source Miss Jean Geis, daughter of Robert the youngest member in her gradu• has passed. The many fine new air 537 East 152nd Street. A dance fol• of admiration whenever it appears. L. Geis, an employe of the New York ating class this June. conditioned coaches which the New lowed. Central for twenty years, now attached Next Fall she is to make her East• York Central is buying have forced the The Sons of the Legion Squadron, to the District Engineer's office at ern debut in a concert at Town Hall, iron beasts back to the haunts of their No. 999, elected Roger Nece Captain. Cincinnati, is to appear as piano solo• Puette Honored at New York City, and this is the crucial childhood. The Squadron is entering its third ist with the Cincinnati Symphony test for those who aspire to the year and promises to go places this Cleveland Dinner Orchestra, February 1, under the Chief Keeper Hawthorne and his as• concert stage. sistants will mourn their loss greatly, year. J. P. Puette, Supervisor of Elec• direction of Eugene Goosens. as they have learned to love these trical Appliances of the Line West, Some of her major appearances, in This orchestra is one of the major beasts. They will miss the demand for at Cleveland, retired from service on addition to the numerous recitals and symphonic organizations and is known them on the busy days preceding holi• October 31, after 38 years of con• concerts she has given, include: in throughout the world. Only soloists days. tinuous service with the New York 1938 an appearance on Major Bowes' of world renown appear on the regu• Central. program, at which time she received However it's a good thing to see lar subscription series of concerts and the highest number of votes; in their passing, as they certainly could Mr. Puette was born in Lenoir, only those who have shown especial 1939, as the youngest soloist to be eat a lot of ice. N. C, on October 1, 1873, and en• talent and promise appear with them presented on WLW's "Musical Chance tered the service of the New York at any time. of a Lifetime" program, broadcast Central as an electrician at Collin• over the Mutual National Network wood, on September 1, 1903. Angel is Given Bag and also as soloist at the Ohio Build• On February 1, 1919, he was ap- At a smoker given by the New ing at the New York World's Fair; pointed Assistant Supervisor, Elec• York Central Athletic Association, in 1939 and again in 1940 on coast-to- trical Appliances, with headquarters Columbus, Ohio, October 30, Otto coast program over NBC; in 1940, as at Cleveland, which position he held Angel, retired yard clerk of West soloist with the Huntington, West until March 16, 1921, when he was Columbus, was presented with a trav• Va., Symphony Orchestra and also appointed Supervisor of Electric Head• eling bag and pen and pencil set in a full fifteen minute program over lights. On November 1, 1921, he suc• given him by West Columbus em• the Mutual National hook-up and in ceeded the late H. C. Meloy as Super• ployes. The presentation was made 1941 as soloist with the Dayton Phil• by C. C. Carson, Captain of Police at visor of Electrical Appliances. harmonic Orchestra. Columbus. A testimonial dinner was given in She has given many recitals and his honor at "Jack White's" in Cleve• has won several contests sponsored land, November 17, at which time by the National Federation of Music J. H. Richmond he was presented with a check for Clubs. Last April she was presented $300 by the many friends he has Three Commanders At the Cuyahoga County Council to the Music Lovers of Cincinnati in made during his service. of the American Legion election, Post a concert in the Hall of Mirrors, in One Legion Post No. 999 was honored by having one Netherland Plaza Hotel, at which al• Big Four Railway Post 116, Ameri• of its Past Commanders, J. H. Rich• most one thousand were present. can Legion, at Indianapolis, boasts mond, elected Vice Commander of Toledo Masons Jean has played to many of the of being the only post in the United the County Council. Miss Jean Geis, daughter of Robert L. Work in Los Angeles greatest living pianists including States with three commanders at the "Jim" has been active in Post and Geis, of the District Engineer's Office, Artur Rubenstein, Jose Iturbi, Harold same time, as the Legion year ended County American Legion activities for The Degree Team of the New York Cincinnati. She will be piano soloist with Henry, and to Charles Haubiel, com• in October. the past ten years, and is employed in Central Lines Square Club, Toledo the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, poser and professor of theory and the Valuation Office of the District Chapter, with their wives, seventy-four Eugene Goosens, Conductor, I. composition at New York University, Engineer at Cleveland. in all, under the sponsorship of Da• on February mascus Lodge, went to Los Angeles, to Rafael Diaz, who conducts the October 12, and there conferred the Miss Geis is to be presented on morning musicals at the Waldorf Astoria, to Franf Mannheimer, con• Post Has Model of "999" third degree in Masonry on Earl M. the College Symphonic Series playing Lehman, Freight Conductor, in Moneta the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto in cert artist and assistant to Matthay in New York Central Railroad Loco• Lodge. G minor. This series of four concerts London and to Alan Spencer, dean motive No. 999 pulling the Empire has been arranged for the younger of the American Conservatory of State Express and with Engineman More than 500 attended Moneta set under the age of twenty-five and Music at Chicago. All these artists Charles Hogan at the throttle set a Lodge in order to see the ritualistic each concert is held in Cincinnati's were enthusiastic and predicted a speed record of 112.5 miles per hour work put on in the Ohio form. Music Hall with the regular orches• brilliant future for her. between Batavia and Rochester, N. Y., Stop-overs were also made at San tra, Mr. Goosens conducting. on May 10, 1893. This record stood Francisco and Boulder Dam. On February 2, she is to appear as soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, for years. It should be of especial interest playing the Liszt Concerto in E flat. Shortly after New York Central to all railroaders to learn that Mr. This will be at Dayton, and will be Lines Legion Post at Cleveland was Goosens, who is internationally fa• New Locomotive Book on the regular subscription course, established in 1931 the members de• mous as a conductor and composer, is The picture, left to right, F. L. Edwin P. Alexander is the author of which includes the popular Benny cided to build a locomotive and to a railroader at heart and his hobby Mumford, passenger representative in a handsome new book, approximately Goodman, the Metropolitan Opera use as their model the famous "999." is railroad locomotives. On the walls the Passenger Agents' office at Indi• 8x11 inches, entitled "Iron Horses," Star, Josephine Antoine, and others of Through the cooperation of John El- of his private office which are adorned anapolis, is Commander of the 12th which describes the development of the note. den, Department Commander at the with the autographed pictures of Indiana District, Floyd Woolf is American locomotive from 1829 to time, the Post number was changed those whose names are almost "sacred' Commander of Big Four Post 116, 1900. from 274, which had no particular- in the music world appear many pic• and F. J. Monahan is Commander of the Frank T. Strayer Post, Veterans significance, to "999," a number which The book is illustrated throughout tures of the "Iron Horse." He is Richland Veteran means considerable to railroaders. The with splendidly drawn prints of lead• particularly proud of one which of Foreign Wars. locomotive was constructed entirely ing types of motive power, among them shows him in the cab of the Ohio Guest at Dinner These Commanders are shown in• several New York Central ones, includ• by members of Post "999" in their State Limited. Bert Harvey, extra gang foreman, specting the new outdoor oven re• ing the DeWitt Clinton and 999. It spare time and is scaled from plans St. Lawrence Division, retired after cently constructed at the post home also has a double page spread in color. Jean, who just celebrated her six• of the original "999." 50 years service.* for the annual Hallowe'en wiener teenth birthday this past Christmas The members gave unstintingly of It is a treasure mine of pictures and roast, attended by 125 members and Day has already had many public ap• A dinner was given Mr. Harvey by their time to make the locomotive as information hitherto unpublished. their families October 30. pearances and is being acclaimed as his fellow workers in the Maintenance perfect a reproduction of the original Besides being head of a model making one of the outstanding young pianists. of Way and Operating Departments as was possible. firm, the author is editor of the Model She has been studying piano for the at Richland on November 1, at which Dan Davis, employed in the Signal Railroad Department of Railway Maga• Engine "999" has attended every past seven years, the last five of which time a gift was presented. Congratu• Department, River Division, at New- zine. State Convention since 1933 and its have been under the tutelage of lations were extended to Mr. Harvey burgh, passed November with Mrs. initial National Convention was the The book is published by W. W. Ralph Zirkle of' Springfield, Ohio. by the men present and an original Davis in Florida. Between bingo and Chicago World's Fair Convention. Norton & Co., Inc., New York and sells She is an honor student at Springfield poem was read by Harry Cavellier, fishing they had an enjoyable vaca• Since that year Los Angeles is the for $5. High School and will probably be Operator at Richland. tion. 4 Central Headlight

"Railroadin," New Buffalo Pair Retire Buffalo Credit Union Loans Reach Million Sound, Color Film, Miss Florence Obear, Investigator, Lochmuller is is Now Available office of T. A. Ward, Freight Claim Agent, Buffalo, retired November 15, RAILROADIN', a 30-minute mo• after close on to 40 years' continuous Honored; Ends tion picture dramatizing the history service. Entering the service of the and present-day operations of the rail• then I. I. & I. Railroad at Kankakee, road industry, has recently been made 53 Years Work Ill., on December 16, 1901 and re• available for showing before clubs and Henry G. Lochmuller, Assistant to maining until April 16, 1906 she then social organizations. General Auditor-Disbursements, who transferred to the L.S. & M.S.R., retired from active service December The film, a Hollywood production Freight Claim Department at Cleve• 31, was honored at a dinner held in with a cast of well-known screen ac• land; 1915, she moved to Buffalo, the Hotel Shelton, December 9, at tors, is a presentation of the Ameri• when the L.S. & M.S. Freight Claim which were present about one hun• can Locomotive Company and the Department was taken in by the New dred office associates and friends, who General Electric Company. It is a 16 York Central Freight Claim Depart• included many former employes of the mm. film in full color and with ment. On December 16, 1918, Miss Disbursements Department. A radio sound. It cannot be shown on a silent Obear transferred to the office of the projector. and other gifts were presented to him. District Freight Claim Agent at Chi• On December 11 a luncheon was RAILROADIN' is the result of a cago, only to return to the Main Office also held at the Park Lane Hotel in year's effort. Railroads in all sections at Buffalo, August 1, 1932. Miss honor of Mr. Lochmuller at which of the country are represented. Freight Obear now makes her home in Chi• were present L. V. Porter, Vice-Presi- operations of the New York Central cago. and the run of the 20th Century are dent and Comptroller; E. A. Clancy, Mr. William J. Benz, Investigator, among its many scenes. The film's J. S. Conover, Adam Haug and G. H. theme is a depiction of America of also from Mr. Ward's office, retired Albach, Assistant Comptrollers; J. C. yesterday, today and tomorrow united December 1, after over 36 years of Wallace, General Auditor-Disburse• by bonds of steel. continuous service, beginning Sep• ments; R. R. Richards, Assistant tember 15, 1905 in the office of the General Auditor-Disbursements; R. The film can be reserved for show• Central Railway Clearing House at H. Sage, and T. C. Davis, Assistants ing by writing to the General Electric Seated, left to right: Mrs. Margaret McNamara, Nelson P. Ryan, Joseph M. Richert, Clerk, Thomas A. Mahoney, Chairman, and Harold W. Schroeder. Buffalo, N. Y., which ultimately was to Comptroller; H. D. Guile, Office Company at the following distribu• Standing: Joseph H. Hertzel, Treasurer. transferred to Cleveland, Ohio on Assistant to Comptroller; and C. W. tion points: 140 Federal St., Boston, April 1, 1915. Kingsley, Capital Expenditure Ac• Mass.; 840 South Canal St., Chicago, countant. Ill.; 570 Lexington Ave., New York On Monday, November 10, the the members have accumulated in sav• Remaining with the "Clearing City; 4966 Woodland Ave., Cleve• New York System Employes Buffalo ings well onto a quarter of a million House" until June 14, 1917 Mr. land, Ohio; Visual Instruction Sec• Federal Credit Union's loans made by dollars. Benz transferred to the Freight Claim the organization since it began busi• Department at Buffalo. "Bill," always tion, 1 River Road, Schenectady, N. Y. The New York Central System ness on January 13, 1936, touched a California fan, plans moving West Management has endorsed Credit the $1,000,000 mark. before Eastern cold weather sets in. Unions, realizing they are helping the Ledoux Ends Service It was during the first month of employes to manage their monetary 1936 that the United States Govern• Arthur N. Ledoux, Engineman, affairs, as Credit Unions advocate ment issued a charter to the employes West Springfield, Mass., retired on small systematic saving and provide Newton Falls of the New York Central System at November 1. the source at a nominal interest Buffalo which permitted them to start Branch Now Busy He had been in the service of the charge when it becomes necessary for operating their Federal Credit Union, the members to seek credit. The Newton Falls Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad 40 years. forming their own mutual organiza• New York Central, extending from Being a mutually operated organi• tion for savings and loans. During Carthage to Newton Falls in upper zation the profits derived from loans Wedding congratulations are in or• this time less than $600 has been New York State, is enjoying a size• to members are returned to them in der for David Cornoni, Machinist at written off in bad loans — a record able increase in traffic at present. West Springfield Engine House, who of which they are justly proud. In six dividends proportionate to the total This line, originally opened for got married on October 12. years of operation this Credit Union amount of money they have accumu• operation in 1889 as the Carthage & has proven its value in the fact that Sympathy is extended Mr. D. J. lated in their share accounts. Adirondack Railway, leased to our McCarthy, Machinist Helper at West System in 1893 and merged with it Springfield Engine House on the loss in 1913, is the only railroad serving of his wife, November 7. the iron ore properties surrounding Henry G. Lochmuller Sympathy is extended Miss Rose P. New York Veterans the Newton Falls area. These proper• C W. Hammond, Mr. Lochmuller, who is the oldest White, Clerk at West Springfield En• ties, long dormant, although rich in Nominate Officers employe in the Accounting Depart• gine House in the loss of her mother, magnetite ore, have been taken over The Nominating Committee of ment, in point of service, was born October 17. Safety Aide, Ends by two of the large coal-iron ore-steel Metropolitan Chapter of the New July 14, 1872, and entered the em• Sympathy is extended to Margaret interests and mining operations, both York Central Veterans Association, ploy of the New York Central Oc• Freil, of the Vice-President and strip and shaft, are to be resumed as headed by J. W. Dwyer, Executive 50 Years' Service tober 8, 1888. His first position was Comptroller's office, on the recent soon as the necessary details can be Assistant to Vice President, Improve• that of messenger in the Auditor of death of her mother. arranged. ments and Development, has placed Disbursements' office at New York, Resumption of mining in this area the following members in nomination in which branch of the Accounting has taken place due to the tremen• for the offices to be filled for 1942: Department all of his railroad service Dinner for Veterans dous demand for the raw material at took place. For President, H. A. Offerman; for More than 125 men employed at the present time, together with the Vice President, H. A. Kisch; for He advanced to clerical and super• the Engine House at West Spring• discovery of an economical process Secretary-Treasurer, E. W. Kinsley; visory positions, thence to Chief Clerk, field attended a testimonial dinner for sintering or refining this particu• for Executive Committee (two to be and in October, 1913, was appointed held October 23 in honor of five lar grade of ore. elected), A. E. Reeves, E. G. Rentel, Assistant Auditor of Disbursements. fellow employes who had retired af• Wm. Dubelbeiss, C. C. Fletcher and On September 1, 1932, following ter many years of service. W. H. Baker. the consolidations at that time, he The men retiring were: Charles S. was appointed Assistant to General The election will take place by mail New York Square Club Dickey, Turn Table Operator; Mi• Auditor-Disbursements, the position ballot and the result announced at chael Begley, Machinist; Charles H. Elects Officers held by him at the time of his re• the annual meeting and banquet at the Downer, Laborer; Fay Brown, Ma• At the last meeting of the New tirement. Hotel Biltmore, January 22. chinist and P. O'Sullivan, B. M. York Central Square Club, New Mr. Lochmuller plans to spend the Helper. York, November 18, the following winter months in Florida. A program of entertainment by em• were elected as officers for 1942: ployes of the Engine House, as well Takes Three Years Alex Mayer, President; Charles Charles W. Hammond as outside entertainers, was presented. to Build Model House White, First Vice-President; Hugh Edward P. Kelley, General Engine After more than fifty years of ser• Scott, Second Vice-President; Harry W. L. Hazzard Retires C. E. Madden, Sheet Metal Worker House Foreman, served as Master of vice, Charles Warren Hammond, Dunham, Secretary and Treasurer; Louis Hazzard, Assistant Supervisor at Air Line Junction, has completed Ceremonies and Winfred Dibble, En• Assistant General Safety Agent, re• George Owen, Master of Ceremonies; of Piece Work Schedules, retired Octo• his latest triumph as a hobby builder gine House Foreman, was chairman in tired from active duty, December 31. Joseph Meeks, Chairman Visitation ber 31, after 37 years of service. of model homes. His chef d'oeuvre, charge of arrangements. Committee. Mr. Hazzard entered the employ of a two-story house and garage built Born at Madison, Ohio, on June the New York Central November 11, on a scale of one inch to the foot, 17, 1875, he started his railroad 1904, and has held various positions took about three years to construct. career as a freight trucker on the West Albany Notes 1 Lake Shore at Collinwood in July, Ends 55 Years Work in the Piece Work Department at George A. Hoeltzel, Drill Press The house is built on a 24" x 46" West Albany and Buffalo. During his 1891. In December of that year he Clyde F. Swisher, Assistant to the Operator, West Albany Car Shop, has foundation and has five rooms and years of service Mr. Hazzard made a transferred to Collinwood Yards Freight Traffic Manager at Cleveland, retired after 24 years' service. bath. It is completely furnished and great many friends. where he served successively as with headquarters in Toledo, retired electrified. The garage, containing a switchtender, brakeman and conductor November 30, after 55 years of ser• Saturday, October 2 5, friends and sleeping room in the attic, is equipped Salvador Ceci, Machinist, West Al• for 26 years. vice. Mr. Swisher reached the age of co-workers gathered in his office at with air-driven doors. bany Car Shop, has completed a tour 70 years on November 11. 105 Central Terminal, Buffalo, and, His Safety career began in July, of duty with the U. S. Army. Both house and garage are set on after presenting him with several gifts, 1917, when he was appointed Safety Mr. Swisher plans to make his per• a lot 40" x 120", surrounded by a including a Defense Bond from his Agent at Cleveland. On October 16, manent residence in Minneapolis. white picket fence. friends at Collinwood, extended their Mrs. Adeline Fitzgerald, Mechani• 1923, he was given the office of best wishes for continued good health cal Device Operator at West Albany Assistant General Safety Agent and and the hope that he and Mrs. Haz• Car Shop, is convalescing from a re• acted in that capacity up to the time Conductor Craw zard would enjoy his retirement for cent operation. Youngstown Station of his retirement. Ends 46 Years' Work many years. Now Shines Anew Known as "Red" Hammond to Mr. and Mrs. Hazzard have estab• Emery E. Craw, Conductor on the Dale Sundin, Machinist Apprentice The NYC station at Youngstown, thousands of railroaders, he won an lished their new residence at 390 Yar• Catskill Mountain Branch of the at West Albany Car Shop, completed O., has been redecorated in an ex• enviable number of friends in all mouth Road, Rochester, N. Y. River Division, retired October 31 a year's service with the U. S. Army tensive program designed to restore branches of the New York Central after more than 46 years of railroad• on November 5. it to its pristine glory. The brick and System. A dinner was given in his ing. He was greeted by a large throng stone station, housing both passenger honor at the Hotel Cleveland. De• Thomas Newman, Inspector and Re• cember 29. of relatives, friends and fellow em• pairer of the Car Department, Selkirk, Joseph Paluba, Laborer at West Al• and freight offices, was constructed in ployes when he ended his last run died at his residence in Albany after bany Car Shop, returned to duty on 1926, at an approximate cost of Mr. Hammond is a direct descen• in the West Shore Depot at Kingston, a long illness, November 9. Mr. November 3, after a serious illness. $500,000. dant of General Joseph Warren, who N. Y. Newman, who was born in Ireland. led the Colonial troops in the Battle Mr. Emery began his railroad serv• March 12, 1878, came to this country of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, and The West Albany Car Shop Su• ice on the Ulster & Delaware R.R. when a young man. He entered the was born on the 100th anniversary pervision held their annual banquet Selkirk Man Weds as a brakeman in 1894. He was pro• service of the Company at West of that battle. at the Ten Eyck Hotel on Saturday William Clow of the Car Depart• moted to conductor in 1897. He be• Albany and worked there at various evening, November 15; they were ment, Selkirk, was married November Mr. Hammond and his wife reside came a Central conductor in 1932 when positions until 1924, when he trans• joined by G. H. Fox, D. C. Sher• 20, Thanksgiving Day. Immediately at 317 Sherman Avenue. Teaneck. the New York Central took control ferred to Selkirk as Inspector, which wood, J. E. Roach, G. Bashford, and after both Mr. and Mrs. Clow took N. J., where they will spend most over the Ulster & Delaware on Feb• position he held until his illness J. Schmitt, former Supervisors, now the "Honeymoon Express" to Niagara of their time. A Florida trip is ruary 1 of that year. He lives at 56 caused him to take a leave of absence retired. Falls. planned for the near future West Chester Street, Kingston, N. Y. in November, 1938. Central Headlight

Twins So Much Alike They Baffle These Twins Were Born Three Days Apart J. H. Pierson Dies in Florida Their Office Associates in Detroit Colonel J. H. Pierson, retired As• sistant Auditor of Local Freight Ac• Twins in the General Departmental other men to keep baiting my hook." counts, Detroit, died at his home in Accountant's Office, Detroit, Bill and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., November 30, Joe Ablett, two fine young men, A tribute to the HEADLIGHT. Not at the age of 73. started with the railroad as office boys. a verbal tribute, neither was it a writ• Mr. Pierson was born at Phila• One of them was recently promoted ten tribute. Here's how! Merton Ber- delphia, Ind., on February 29, 1868. to the M. of E. Group, but which rie of the Voucher Group, G. D. A. one? They look so much alike it has He entered the service of the I. B. Office, was sitting at his desk shortly many baffled. It even bothered Sam & W. Railway, in the Auditing De• after noon on Saturday, when all but Taylor, Chief Clerk. partment, March 15, 1882, at Indian• the observer had gone home, and was apolis, as Messenger and remained It bothered him so much that when seen poring over the contents of the with this road until May 1, 1890, at the promotion of Joe Ablett took December issue of the HEADLIGHT. which time he held the position of place, it was discovered that his What's more, information is that he Chief Freight Clerk. brother Bill had been working in that went out to lunch and came back group for a short time before it was On May 2, 1890, he began service again to resume his reading. He must noticed, but not until poor Joey was with the Big Four, at Cleveland, in like it. admonished for something he didn't the Auditing Department, where he do. Now it is proposed that these worked until October 1, 1892, when The Army Navy Game in Phila• boys be labeled: "I am Joe" and "I the General Offices were moved to delphia on November 29 was graced am Bill." Cincinnati. with the presence of at least two He was promoted to Assistant Au• young ladies representing the New ditor, Freight Accounts, on October York Central Railroad. You guessed Even the grim reality of war at 1, 1910, which position he held until it! They are employed in Detroit in times provides some amusing aspects. January 1, 1923, when he was made the Accounting Department Typing It seems that a young Filipino, upon Auditor of Freight Accounts. This Bureau! Miss Elizabeth Harris and hearing of the activities of the Japa• position he held until August 1, 1931, Miss Minerva Frizzell. nese upon Manila, rushed into a De• when the Accounting Offices of the troit Police Station the other day and After the game they returned to New York Central Lines were con• asked, "Is it all right for me to shoot New York City, where they spent solidated, and Mr. Pierson was made any Jap I meet?" several days enjoying the sights and Assistant Auditor of Local Freight This, of course, brought a nega• doing some shopping. They were for• Accounts with headquarters in De• tive reply, but this Filipino, in all tunate in securing tickets to witness troit. This position he held until his probability, had the little Jap cor• a broadcast of the Lucky Strike Hit retirement, September 30, 1935, after nered somewhere with a statement Parade. rounding out 53 years service. something like this — "Don't you try Upon his retirement Mr. Pierson to get away until I come back. I've Three veteran Michigan Central em• moved to Fort Lauderdale. got to find out something." ployes in the St. Thomas District were retired recently. They were: Elvin C. Barton and William W. In the concourse of the Michigan Samuel T. Jolliffe, Fire-Up Man in Wolfe, Laborers, Stores Department, Central Terminal, Detroit, a United the roundhouse, who had 51 years' Jackson, Mich., were inducted into the States Naval Officer in dress uniform service; Charles E. Hind, Yard Tow• Army December 5. was seen looking over the magazines erman, who had been in the service Back in September, 1926, the New York Central Lines Magazine carried a at the magazine stand when an elderly 35 years and Charles D. Archer, Agent picture of twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Sroda of Mishawaka, Ind. woman approached him with the ques• at West Lorne, who had 42 years' The birth of twins is not particularly unusual, but the fact that they were born Detroit Man Retires tion, "Pardon me, would you please service. three days apart made it news. William J. Mayer, Blacksmith Shop tell me what time the New York Here are the young ladies today at the age of sixteen. Patricia, left, was born Foreman, Michigan Central Railroad, Central train leaves for Buffalo?" The The wife of L. Shannop, Grease Feb. 20, 1925, and Phyllis arrived on Feb. 23. Mr. Sroda is Chief Clerk to West Detroit, Michigan, was retired naval officer politely but significantly Freight Agent at Mishawaka, and now resides at South Bend, Ind. Cup Filler at Windsor, Ontario, died on pension October 31. said, "Madam, I'm a Naval Officer, December 2, after a short illness. Mr. Mayer started as a Machinist, not a Station Master." Interment was at Golden Lake, On• October 23, 1899 and was promoted to tario. Chicago Women Inspector in 1901, and in August, Mrs. Ruby Childers, Head Clerk, Out'Rippling Ripley 1902 was promoted to Foreman of the Key Punch Group, General Depart• James McDonald, Stationary Fire• Have Birthday Fete Here is one for the "Believe it or Blacksmith Shop, which position he mental Accountant's Office, has been man at Windsor, Ontario, who was The Railway Business Woman's held up to the time of his retirement. not" column! obliged to he absent for some time injured in an automobile accident No- Association of Chicago celebrated its For a number of years Mr. Mayer on account of illness. With patience vember 5, returned to work Decem• Two cars with the same number, sixteenth birthday in the Tea-Room was Secretary of the Master Black• and care she is slowly being nursed ber 1. but different ownership, P.R.R. 78388 of Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company smiths' Association. back to a normal state of health. Her and Erie 78388, were loaded at Bat• on November 18, with a dinner and Mr. Mayer was presented with a improvement was retarded recently, tle Creek, Michigan, on the same style show. chair and lamp by the employes of however, by a fall. Matt Schumaker, section laborer for over twenty-five years at St. John, Ind., day, by the same shipper, with the At the same time it celebrated the West Detroit Car Shops, the presenta• retired recently, at the age of 65. At a same commodity, exactly the same birthday of each of its members. tion being made by Rudolph Pechar, Another member of the General party in his honor, attended by many weights, the same consignee and There were gifts for all and individual who worked under Mr. Mayer for Departmental Accountant's office is fellow workers in the track department destination, and both were routed birthday cakes. More than four hun• many years. on the illness list — A.C. Shirley of and other friends, Mr. Schumaker was dred attended and the lucky winners via N. Y. Central System. Remarks were also made by C. W. the Timekeeping Group. Mr. Shirley presented with aha sloung beene absenchairt froandm work with neu• of the lovely door prizes were very Frey, General Foreman, Harold Good, ritis since October 25. Improvement hassock. much envied. Wheel Shop Inspector, and James is reported. Ingram, Steel Car Repairman.

Roscoe J. Conklin A. C. Moeller of the M. of W. World's Largest Photomural in Grand Central Terminal Roscoe J. Conklin, Electrician at Group in the General Departmental Grand Central Terminal for the past Accountant's office found himself Promotes Sale of Defense Bonds home alone one evening. His wife 23 years, died suddenly in New York having an appointment with some City, December 1. other ladies, Mr. Moeller was wholly Mr. Conklin, who was born at unprepared for anything to do or any Dobbs Ferry, in 1901, entered the place to go to occupy his time. So service of the New York Central what does he do? The unusual of July 16, 1918, as a clerk in the course: Power Department at Grand Central Terminal. In 1927 he became an He looks up some recipes, goes electrical apprentice and in June, into a huddle and comes up with one for making a cake! After all of us 1934, a wire man. having a lot of fun about it, he came Mr. Conklin's home was in Yonk- around with samples, and to every• ers, where he had resided for about one's surprise, as well as his own, it 25 years. His wife, parents, two was really fine! Now believing himself daughters and two sons survive him. to be quite an authority on the art Mr. Moeller is proposing to submit a James W. Lott, retired New York recipe of his own for other New York Central Engineman, died at his home Central husbands. in Elkhart, November 23. Mr. Lott, who retired from active service in 1936, because of ill health, had been The General Departmental Ac• bedfast since last June. He started countant's Office employes are happy railroad work in 1903 as fireman for to announce that their Third Annual the Lake Shore and Michigan South• Christmas Party went off with a bang. ern, and became an engineman five A swell dinner was served in the years later. dining room. Both the dining room and the guests were well filled. Plenty of entertainment was pro• Dinner for Sweeney vided, and the splendid time each one Ambrose Sweeney, Clerk in Indian• in attendance at these parties is priv• apolis Freight House, retired Novem• ileged to enjoy, is becoming tradi• ber 1, at the age of 65 after 24 years tional. of continuous service. Mr. Sweeney, a veteran of the Spanish-American Ross Crouch, G. D. A. Office, re• War, was born and reared at Indian• cently sojourning in Florida, came apolis, Indiana. back to Detroit all crisp and brown Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney both enjoy from the warm southern sunshine, and excellent health, and expect to spend we ask you to hold tight because their winters in Florida. Under date here comes another of those inevitable of October 29 the Freight Office and fish stories. "Two hundred pounds in Freight House Clerks gave a dinner one hundred eighty minutes." Think Photo by David Hyde in his honor at Bluff-Crest, which was of it! When asked how it was done The mural shown above, high as a 10-story building, covers the eastern side of the Main Concourse of the Terminal. enjoyed by everyone. Mr. Sweeney he replied that "Of course it took rwo It is 118 feet wide and is composed of 22 pictures. The tanks portrayed are twice the size of the real machines. was presented with a gift. 6 Central Headlight

globe and gate valves, electrical ma• terial, switch lamps, rethreading of Fire Chief Teller, N. Y. Central Scrap and Reclamation Plant bolts; signal material, manufacture of pipe nipples, regrinding of journal N. Y. C. Building, Dies Handled Tonnage of $4,270,902 Value Last Year bearing wedges and many other items. Edgar E. Teller, Fire Chief of the Machine shop equipment includes New York Central Building, New four lathes, three shapers, two bolt York City, died December 11 after threaders, three nipple machines, five six months' illness in his home at drill presses and one hydraulic press. 29 Lee Avenue, Scarsdale, N. Y. The blacksmith shop equipment in• Mr. Teller retired from the New cludes twelve furnaces, four hammers, York City Fire Department in 1928 three forges, three washer presses, two after twenty years' service to accept bulldozers, two drill presses and one the position with the New York Cen• ten-foot gate shear. tral. He was 58 years old.

The importance of the Ashtabula A member of one of the oldest Scrap & Reclamation Plant's operat• American families, he was a direct ions is reflected in the fact that New descendant of William H. Teller, who York Central led all other railroads immigrated from Holland in 1635. during 1940 in the total value of re• His family purchased from the In• clamation from scrap materials. dians the tract of land on the Hudson River known as Croton Point, origi• John Voorhies, Machine Shop nally called "Teller's Point." Early Foreman, Ashtabula Scrap & Recla• members of his family distinguished mation Plant, has been promoted to themselves as patriots in the Revolu• General Foreman of the plant. He tionary War. succeeds S. G. Buckett, resigned. Her• bert Smolka, formerly Night General His wife; a son, John Edgar Teller, of Ardsley, N. Y.; his father, John Foreman at the plant, has been pro• B. Teller, of Peekskill, and two sisters, moted to Machine Shop Foreman and survive him. Burial took place in P. J. Smich has been appointed Night Hillside Cemetery. General Foreman.

Bay City Bowlers Off to Fine Start Three Generations The New York Central Bowling League, Bay City, is off to a fine start in N. Y. C. even though the players have had to contend with weather more suitable for bathing than bowling. Two addi• The machine shop at the Ashtabula Scrap and Reclamation plant Locomotives (From the BUFFALO EVENING NEWS) tional teams have entered the league this year and after three weeks the A decade ago Engineer Charles C. NATIONAL DEFENSE and steel materials which can be reclaimed by They pass from here to an assembly standings were as follows: Pierce of 210 Maple Ave., Blasdell, priorities have added a new im• the reclamation plant is furnished by machine which can be so controlled Won Lost told his 9-year-old grandson, Clyde portance to the operations of the New the general storekeepers of the Sys• by the operator that all nuts can be Depot 6 3 Flick, also of Blasdell, of the glories York Central's Scrap and Reclamation tem lines, showing the consumption drawn up evenly. Beams are then Transportation 6 3 of railroading. Today, while Mr. Pierce Plant at Ashtabula, Ohio. Steel mills of the item for the past twelve months, proof-load tested, the nuts sealed, and Traffic 5 4 works the throttle of a New York sorely need all the scrap that can be amount on hand, and amount required. beams stenciled as to class and kind. Locomotive Shop 4 5 Central switching engine, Fireman gathered and every article of equip• They are then loaded into cars for Freight Office 3 6 Of the forty main classes into which Clyde Flick often labors at his side. ment reclaimed means that much sav• the materials reclaimed are divided, shipment. Locomotive Office 3 6 ing in the efforts of industry to pro• Daily Mr. Pierce operates steam those representing individual items of Draft gears are reclaimed mainly All members seem to be starting duce the front line materials of war. and Diesel engines over the vast spider the greatest value are brake beams, from dismantled equipment, with only off just where they left off last Spring. web of rails that comprise the Buffalo Hitherto the scrap and reclamation draft gears, complete couplers, coup• a small percentage received in reg• Gene McLellan and Mike Olk, of the yards of the N. Y. C. at the foot of operations, which moved to Ashtab• ler knuckles, and coil and elliptic ular scrap. After inspection, those Locomotive Shops, are tops at present, Mackinaw Street. In an interview in ula in 1937 from Cleveland, served springs. within the manufacturer's guaranteed with averages of 191 and 187 respec• the cab of Diesel Engine 676 Mr. their greatest importance in effecting period are sent back for replacement; tively. Some nice scores are also being In 1940, brake beam reclamation Pierce recalled his boyhood interest economies for the System during the those beyond the guaranteed period turned in by new members and the operations covered 67,979 pieces with in the life of rails and semaphores. long lean years of depression. That season of 1941-42 promises to be a an estimated value of $409,511.03. are returned for repair only, accord• benefit has now become a double- "Always lived near tracks, and al• real hot scramble all the way. Because this piece of equipment is in ing to requirements. The plant's own ways wanted to be around an engine," edged sword, helping Uncle Sam be• constant great demand, facilities have forces handle only those types of draft Earl Traxler from Wenona Yard, he said with a contented puff on his sides our railroad. been made adequate to turn out from gears which can be reassembled with is recuperating from his recent illness pipe. "My folks thought railroading During 1940 the value of the ton• 1,800 to 2,000 beams per day if it new or used parts. and is up and around again. was too dangerous, and didn't want nage of scrap shipped from Ashtabula becomes necessary. The bulk of couplers reclaimed also me to go in for it. But the dangerous amounted to $4,270,902.28. This was The brake beam operation is loca• come from demolished cars. After dis• days are gone. Now we've got the scrap resulting from the demolition West Albany Notes ted in the blacksmith shop of the assembly, all parts are gauged for automobiles to worry about." of cars and locomotives and miscel• wear and the worn parts are built Martin Nill, Assistant Foreman in main building, close by the scrap pile His 19-year-old grandson swung up laneous scrap received from points on up by gas and electric welding. Coup• the Tank Shop, West Albany, retired and the bay used for car demolition. the ladder to the cab. A former stu• the road. recently. He was born Nov. 23, Beams are brought to the machines ler shanks are heated and straightened dent at Hamburg High School, he 1875, and first employed as Pipe As a result of the reclamation work, by overhead crane and piled to be in a press. All couplers are reas• joined the ranks of the railroaders Fitter at Depew Locomotive Shops. the value of reclaimed material at the readily available. sembled to the standard A.A.R guages. three months ago. "Tracks run in the He was promoted to Assistant Fore• purchase cost of new equipment Coil and elliptic springs are gauged After a beam is disassembled by two family," he said. "Gramp is an engi• man at West Albany Shops March 16, amounted to $2,496,686.86. Deduct• for height and those within the limit men and an assistant, all parts are neer and my Uncle Willard is a fire• 1931. Mr. Nill served the New York ing from this the scrap value and are returned for use. Coil springs to be inspected. Where required, all rods man." But there was more to come. Central for 48 years. cost of reconditioning, the total net are then straightened, re-threaded and reclaimed are sent back to manufact• A Cleveland-bound passenger train saving by reclamation operations was re-bent; channels that are badly bent urers for re-setting. Elliptic springs are roared by, its whistle shrieking. En• Wm. J. Wiskson, formerly Piece $1,463,993.53. so that they cannot be straightened reclaimed in the System's locomotive gineer Pierce answered with a toot Work Inspector at Collinwood Shops, Thus does money talk "bigger" cold are heated and straightened; shops at Collinwood, Beech Grove and and his grandson with a smile and was recently transferred to West Al• than words in describing the full im• usable struts and heads are salvaged. West Albany. wave. "The engineer in that cab is bany Shops, as Chief Piece Work portance of the work at the Ashtab• At the end of the same bench, the The machine shop is properly equip• William Flick, my father," the grand• Inspector. ula Scrap and Reclamation Plant. parts are then loosely assembled. ped for reclaiming air brake material, son announced proudly. The Ashtabula plant, directed by Robt. Abbott, employed in the of• A. L. Prentice, Manager, Scrap and fice of G.S.M.P. & R.S. at New York, Reclamation, consists of three build• was transferred to West Albany Loco• ings on a tract of 50 acres of land. Aerial View of New York Central's Scrap and Reclamation Plant motive Shop. The largest building, constructed of steel and concrete, is 243 wide by 431 feet long. It has three bays F. J. Lyon, formerly of the B. & A. equipped with overhead cranes and shops at West Springfield, was trans• necessary tracks. ferred to West Albany Shops. The east bay of this building and 200 feet of the center bay are used for scrap handling operations. The Buffalo Changes west bay is used for car demolition. George Schoof, Chainman, Buffalo Reclamation operations are carried on Division, is now in training in U. S. in the remaining 231 feet of the Naval Reserve Training Ship Prairie center bay, which is utilized by the State, New York. blacksmith and brake beam shops. In a structural steel building, 53 R. B. Delisla, rodman, Buffalo Di• feet wide by 141 feet long, reclama• vision, has resigned to accept a posi• tion operations involving the use of tion with Pittsburgh Metallurgical machines such as lathes and other Corp. of Charlestown, S. C. shop equipment are carried on. Addi• tional operations are handled in the R S. Bishop, Draftsman, Buffalo third structural steel building, 2 5 feet Division, is now acting Assistant by 140 feet, adjacent to the machine Superintendent Track, Sub-Div. 12, shop. Batavia, in place of P. S. Burnham, All reclamation proceedings begin who is doing special work on the at the scrap pile in the large central P. & L. E. R. R. building, where the foreman in charge is armed with a weekly corrected list showing all items to be reclaimed. Given Bridal Shower The storekeeper of the plant and the On the evening November 5, Miss reclamation foremen are furnished Lillian Cunningham was hostess to the with lists showing the description and Michigan Central birthday group at the amount required for each ter• her home, 23 High Street, Detroit, ritory in the System. and gave a bridal shower and a din• All material reclamation operations ner in honor of Miss Virginia Con- at Ashtabula are on the basis of one dren, who was married November 23, year's requirements. Information on This picture and the one above were made by David Archibald, an employe at Yonkers, N. Y. Central Headlight 7

Hill Talks to Collinwood Shop Apprentices Form "Y" Chapter Start Move to C. H. Perry Dies 1000 at Buffalo Buy N. Y. C. Bomber in Cleveland A subscription list which they sug• C. H. Perry, Chief Engineer of Charles E. Hill, General Safety gest should be made available to all Station Maintenance, Cleveland, died Agent, addressed approximately one employes of the New York Central, of a heart ailment, November 24, after thousand members and guests of the the total amount received to be given 12 years of service with the Terminals Central Railway Club of Buffalo on to President Roosevelt for the pur• Company. December 4. At this meeting, which chase of a bomber for use in the coun• Mr. Perry went to the Terminal in was devoted to Safety, Douglas R. try's defense, has been initiated by a October, 1929, as an inspector during Philips, Superintendent of Safety of the group of employes at the Cleveland construction and when the Terminal Wabash Railway at St. Louis, and Union Terminal Company's Electric went into operation in July, 1930, he Thomas H. Carroll. Superintedent of Locomotive Shop, at Collinwood. was made the Electrical and Mechan• Safety of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Ohio. ical Foreman, which work he covered also spoke. A suggestion has been made by the until he was granted a leave of ab• The meeting was sponsored by the men, who range from electricians, sence on account of sickness, in Oc• Trainmasters and General Yardmas- pipe fitters and boiler makers to chief tober. ters Association of the Niagara Fron• engineer, that all such payments be tier. made by payroll deduction. After Mr. Hill's address, the talk• Inasmuch as New York Central ing picture, "Railroadin' " was shown, employes now number about 125,000, Geo. 0. Armstrong and a lively vaudeville show, followed a subscription of a few dollars each by a buffet luncheon, closed the meet• would meet the present cost of con• Dies Suddenly; 57 ing. structing and equipping a bomber. George O. Armstrong, Assistant Assistant General Manager John J. The men who started the project say Mechanical Engineer, New York City, Brinkworth and Superintendent C. A. they believe it will be helpful in pro• died suddenly, December 16, in his Raymonda, of the New York Central, moting the morale not only of the home at 50-31 213th Street, Bayside, were among the spectators. armed forces but also of the public as Long Island. He is survived by his The Nominating Committee, headed As the result of an address by dent; Peter Smiciklas, Vice-President; well. wife. by W. H. Newman, Signal Supervisor, Walter Ferris, Executive Secretary of Wm. D. Kirsch, Secretary; Michael Mr. Armstrong entered service reported the unopposed nomination of the Railroad YMCA at Collinwood, Reba, Treasurer. March 13, 1910, as Draftsman, Office Allan A. Raymond, Superintendent of the apprentice boys at Collinwood The club has been organized to Bellefontaine Plans of Mechanical Engineer. Subsequently Fuel and Locomotive Performance, Shops have formed an Apprentice instill among the boys a spirit of Basket Ball League he was promoted to Assistant Engi• New York Central, for First Vice- Club, which is affiliated with and will good fellowship. neer in 1916 and to his recent posi• The New York Central Social Club President, and John J. Murray, Gen• operate under "Y" guidance. tion in 1928. J. J. Crellin, Assistant General will present to the basket ball fans eral Agent of the Merchants Despatch The following have been elected Foreman, is the club counselor for the of Bellefontaine and vicinity one of He was born August 23, 1884, at Transportation Corporation, for Sec• officers: John E. Chandler, Jr., Presi• 37 members. the strongest semi-pro basket ball St. Johns, New Brunswick, and was ond Vice-President. leagues ever to operate in the city. a graduate of the University of Maine. The league, known as "The Heart of Ohio Basket Ball League," will have Last Becomes First two representatives from Bellefontaine, Superintendent's Office, resting in Snow Specials Slated to Start Jan. 9 Bobb-Wille Chevrolet and New York Frank C. Jerome 16th and last position in the N. Y. C. Central. League, Buffalo, took four games New York Central's Special Snow A league will be organized for girls. Dies at Age of 77 from Ed. Becker's Grill and tied for Train season is scheduled to commence Both leagues will be composed of six Frank C. Jerome, retired General first. with the weekend of January 9, it teams. O'Reilly New Head Freight Agent at New York City, Coupled with this upheaval, an• was announced by J. R. Grant. Assist• George F. Borgman, retired Track died December 17 at the age of 77 other leader. Stock Yards, received ant General Passenger Agent. of Milk Service Supervisor. Bellefontaine. died at the in his home at Broad Park Lodge. four jolts from Terry Jewelers, and On weekends when snow condi• age of 61, November 14, after a White Plains, N. Y., after a long just to make the thing unanimous tions are good, the Snow Trains will William E. O'Reilly has been ap• long illness. Mr. Borgman became illness. the mighty Korthals Grill lost four operate at excursionist rates to the pointed Superintendent of Milk Ser• Supervisor in 1917 and retired Octo• vice, effective January 1, with offices in Mr. Jerome began service in 1886 to Signal Department Office. All this ski slopes in the Adirondacks, the ber 31. enabled the West Shore Safety Club, Catskills and the Berkshires. New York City, by L. C. Anderson, as Clerk in the Freight Traffic De• Manager of Passenger Transportation. partment, rising to Chief Clerk in last year's champions to climb within On the Michigan Central, special He succeeds C. E. Black, recently ap• 1900. He then worked for MDT and four games of first place, now occu• Snow Trains will also leave on week• N. Y. Xmas Party pointed Assistant to Manager, Passen• and NYC Fast Freight Lines until pied by Ed. Becker's Grill, Stock ends from Lansing and Detroit to The annual Christmas party of the ger Transportation. 1914 when he became NYC Commer- Yards and Signal Supervisors, each Grayling, Michigan, at excursion rates. New York Central Athletic Associa- cial Agent at New with 38 wins and 22 losses. Delayed commencement of the snow Mr. O'Reilly who has had 14 years tion of Manhattan was held Sunday 1921 he was promoted to General Joe Czardybon's 265 game still train season has been caused by the of service which began as a stenogra• afternoon, December 28, at 3:15 p.m. pher in the Maintenance of Way De• Eastern Freight Agent and in 1927 to stands as the season's high. heavy demands on equipment during in the Hotel Commodore, New York. partment, leaves the position of Assis• General Freight Agent. At the time the December holiday period and the A splendid vaudeville entertainment tant to Manager of Public Relations, of his retirement he was Assistant future schedule is also liable to be cur• was presented under the direction of to assume his new office. General Freight Agent. tailed by demands of our war effort. President H. L. Buhler and his fellow 50 Give Sayles He was born in New Haven, Conn., The special long weekend excursions He was married December 27 to the officers. Santa Claus was present to December 5, 1864. He is survived by Dinner and a Gift to the Laurentians have been can• former Miss Gladys L. Nolan of New distribute gifts and refreshments to all his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Noble Jerome, Fifty friends gave a farewell din• celled, because of the demands placed Rochelle, in St. Gabriel's Church, New the children of members who attended. two sons and two daughters. ner, November 15, in honor of A. L. on Canadian railways by the Canadian Rochelle. Door prizes for the ladies and in Sayles, Trainmaster on the Valley war effort. addition 52 cash prizes totaling $500 Branch between Dunkirk, N. Y., and In such event, skiers will be able were distributed. Titusville, Penna. The dinner was to avail themselves of the regular New H. J. Calkins Dies held in Dunkirk. Mr. McKee Honored York Central passenger service to the The New York Central System lost Mr. Sayles has been promoted to ski slope areas. at Dinner in Detroit W. E. Dehn Retires a loyal employe with the death of fill the position formerly held by The New York Central Ski Bureau E. P. Foley, Assistant Agent at After 52 years of service, William Herbert J. Calkins, December 15. Fred Grundler, who was retired on in New York City will be located for Russell Street Station. Detroit, played E. Dehn, Yardmaster at Gardenville, Illness of less than a week ended a September 30, at Elyria, Ohio. the coming season in the Central's new host to 65 of his friends at a get- retired December 1. railroad career of 47 years. His entire A. J. Haines, engineman on the Travel Bureau in the main waiting together dinner, December 8, to honor A testimonial dinner, held for Mr. railroad service was in the employ Main Line, was toastmaster. room of Grand Central Terminal. J. L. McKee, Assistant Vice President Dehn at the Lackawanna Hotel, No• of the Central, starting in 1894 as Among those present were Mrs. Although the coming snow season and General Manager. The railroad vember 29, was attended by over 200. clerk at the Suspension Bridge Freight was well represented by members of office. Sayles; James Steven, Road Foreman has already been curtailed, it is ex• Trainmaster J. H. Sheedy was toast- the Freight and Passenger Traffic of Engines at Buffalo, and wife; John pected that even more skiing enthu• master. Prylsylski, Supervisor of Tracks, and siasts than last year will be carried to Departments and by Operating De• wife; C. J. Pruner, Car & Engine the snow slopes. Last year 34,543 partment officials. Dies in Mt. Carmel House Foreman; E. Boyd, Agent at skiers were carried via New York Emil Hansen of the Assistant Gen• Dayton Man Honored John Flaherty of Mt. Carmel, Illi• Warren, Penna., and wife; and other Central to all snow points, of which eral Manager's office acted as toast- George Marks, T.M., Wright Field, nois, former Train Dispatcher at Mt. friends. the most popular were Lake Placid, master, and short talks were made by Dayton, Ohio, and Jack Hardy, Carmel, Terre Haute, and Mattoon, Old Forge, Farnams-in-the Berkshires the host, the honored guest, the Assist• Mr. Sayles was presented with a C.I.W.B. Representative, sponsored a died at his home November 24 at and Grayling, Michigan. ant General Manager at Detroit, E. E. the age of 74. gift. testimonial dinner November 5 in Wright, and by City officials, as well honor of Eddie Simon, Chief Clerk in as Circuit Court Judge Moynihan. the local Division Freight Office. Section Foreman David Sklies of 53 Years' Work Ends Christmas at "230" Carmi, Illinois retired December 11. Foreman Andrew Brener of Grayville D. T. Davies, Assistant Chief The New York Central Building, succeeds Mr. Sklies, and James Crow- Clerk, West Albany, retired Decem• New York, had its thirteenth Christ• der of the Mt. Carmel-Evansville ber 1. mas Tree standing in a glow of lights Line was transferred to Grayville, Mr. Davies entered the service as and tinsel, in the large Rest Rooms on Illinois. messenger April 12, 1888, in the Lo- the fifteenth floor of the 35-story build• Comotive Department. In August, ing. The tree was for the women ten• 1920, he was transferred to Office of ants and workers of the building, of Mt. Carmel Shop lawn was a beauty District Superintendent, Motive Power which there are many more than 2000. spot during the Holidays. A large Department, Albany, and was pro• cedar tree was brought in from the moted to Assistant Chief Clerk, in country, and together with shrubbery, October, 1922. He was transferred to flower beds, rock garden, and a Santa West Albany Shop in August 1923, Bowlers Buy Stamps Claus chimney decorated with hun• as Assistant Chief Clerk. The Engineering Department Bowl• dreds of colored bulbs, was given wide ing team of Jackson, Mich., bowling publicity. Mr. Davies' service covered 53 in the Michigan Central League at years. the Palace Recreation Monday nights, has inaugurated a new system in re• W. S. Temple Dies gard to the players' weekly contribu• Winfield Scott Temple, Traveling Cleveland Vet tion to their team's kitty. Demurrage Supervisor, died suddenly is Guest at Dinner Each member of the team buys two at his home in Detroit, November 4. Frank C. Knapp, 70, of 3261 Al- defense stamps, putting one in their The CUT-NYC Bowling League at tamont Road, Cleveland Heights, who own book. The other goes to the Cleveland continues to be led by the retired November 1 after 49 years of bowler having the high three games Equipment Department, which estab• service with the New York Central, for the evening, thus the high bowler lished a new high three games of 2776 was the guest of honor at a dinner wins five stamps. Other teams may and high single game of 991. Teams the night of December 11, in the wish to do the same thing, says N. J. next in order are Switchmen No. 2. Cleveland Club by his former fellow Popma, Chief Clerk, Engineering Di• Baggage Department and Orange Ave• employes. vision. The Christmas feature in La Salle Street Station was impressive. nue Terminal. Central Headlight

B&A Marks Some of the 35,000 Who Saw New Empire in Grand Central Terminal New Wire Circuit It's Centenary is Set Up for (Concluded from page one)

Street at the corner of Norwich the "Empire"

Street and was also used by the Nor• A less publicized but nonetheless wich & Worcester, after that road major contribution to the progress ex• was opened in 1840, the station being emplified by the new Empire State enlarged at that time. The station of Express is the new telegraph circuit the Western Railroad was in Wash• running from Buffalo to New York, ington Square. The first union station designated as the Empire State wire, in Worcester was opened August 15, and maintained for the express pur• 1875, and was considered one of the pose of handling reservations and largest and finest in the country at other important business pertaining to that time. The present Union Station the new train. in Worcester was opened June 4, For days before the first official run 1911. of the new streamliner. System tele• The Western Railroad from Wor• graph engineers, aided by wire chiefs cester to Albany was incorporated and maintainers between New York March 15, 1833. The company was and Buffalo, under the supervision of organized January 4, 1836, and con• C. E. Baxter, Assistant Telegraph struction was begun in the midwinter Superintendent, were working on the of 1836-37 in the township of Charl• new circuit, checking and rechecking ton neat the crossing of the Worcester every detail in order that everything and Hartford Turnpike. should be in readiness for the new train. From the beginning the road was graded for double track, demonstrating Final tests were completed the day the faith of its promoters in heavy before the first scheduled run. S. L. traffic to come. Through Brookfield Van Akin, Superintendent of Tele• the line was extended to Springfield, graph, personally took charge at the and the first trains ran between Wor• Buffalo end of the circuit Sunday. cester and Springfield October 1, 1839, December 7, the day the new Empire two daily in each direction. made its first eastward run. The circuit, the first of its kind, Construction West of Springfield (Concluded from page one) uses Morse telegraphy, generally con• was delayed by competition between ceded by telegraph men to be the best Stockbridge and Pittsfield for the fix• On the following day the exhibi• service for this type of work, and ing of the route through their towns. tion train returned to New York provides instantaneous communication After surveys, Pittsfield won. Once City, foregoing its visit to Cleveland between Buffalo and New York, and this route had been chosen, the West• and Detroit. Its twin was quickly re• all the cities served by the famous ern Railroad engineers began con• paired in the shops at East Buffalo train. The same high standard of tele• struction on the most difficult section and took its turn on exhibition at graph service is provided on the Lines of railroad yet attempted in this coun• Buffalo Central Terminal, where, des• West and the Michigan Central. try. To extend the line over the Berk• pite a cold gale, and snow flurries, it A record of the time service estab• shires meant not only heavy grades was inspected by 11,600 persons. lished on the Buffalo end of the wire and sharp curves, but many bridges With no upset to its schedule, true made daily by J. R. Dissette, Manager and deep cuttings. This work was ac• to railroad tradition, the Empire State of BO telegraph office, indicates that complished during the summers of Express ran the next day on its first the service more than meets the stand• 1940 and 1941. passenger run, criss-crossing New ards set up for it. Meanwhile two rival roads set out York State each way. A westbound to meet the Western Railroad at "Empire" left New York City in two West Stockbridge. The first to make sections. Accounting Traffic the junction was the Hudson & Berk• More than 45,000 special mail shire, which laid a light and inexpen• cachets were carried by the "Empire" Committees Report sive track with steep grades. The sec• on its first run, it was reported by Interest in the new super-streamh'ner was intense. Above is shown part of the 2,220 Tips in 11 Months crowd at Westfield, N. Y., near the Pennsylvania line, where more than half tion of this line from Hudson to C. B. Bennett, Manager, Mail & Ex• The recently formed "Get Traffic the population of the town turned out to inspect the new Queen of the rails. Chatham is still in use as a branch of press Traffic This was one of the organization in twenty local Account- Schools and shops closed for the hour or so that the train was on exhibition there. the present-day Boston & Albany. most successful issuances of a special ing Department offices at New York The Albany & West Stockbridge mail cachet for the first run of a Detroit, Boston, Utica. Weehawken. to have the proper vitamins for canine reached Chatham several months later train. Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, Cincin• Boomer Likes His stability, so between that and the and the track of the Hudson & Berk• Aboard the first westbound run of nati and East St. Louis, have been snacks the other boys bring down shire was used from Chatham to West the Empire was E. D. Ibbotson, of Job as Switchman permanently set up on a revised basis, when they have good eats at home, Stockbridge when service was first 205 Rutger Street, Utica. Mr. Ibbot• as previously announced, and are things they know I like, I go only opened. One year later the Albany & son was also aboard the first run of functioning as contemplated. part time to the "Y" for meals. As West Stockbridge laid better track the original Empire State Express, The November report of the com• for sleeping, well, the things the from this link. October 26, 1891. He is a partner of bined Accounting Department indicates boys have in the caboose have to be the firm of Horrocks-Ibbotson, which that 119 traffic tips were obtained The first Board of Directors of the protected when they are not there makes fishing tackle. On his first trip, during that month from employes in Western Railroad consisted of Thomas and I sleep in the caboose. It is more in 1891, he rode the Empire from these various offices, or a grand total B. Wales, President, William Law• homeloke than the finest room the Utica to Syracuse, returning to Utica of 2,220 for the eleven months ended rence, Edmund Dwight, Henry Rice, "Y" could trot out. on his bicycle, a distance of 50 miles. November 30. John Henshaw, Francis Jackson, Jo- I take off my hat to Stuffy at Well• siah Quincy, Jr., Justice Willard and He said that the new Empire was These tips consist largely of ad• ington, Ohio, and as one good rail• George Bliss. Chief Engineer of the the most beautiful thing he hapd ever vance information on possible passen• roader to another I say, "Keep up the road was George W. Whistler, a seen but he did not minimize the ger and freight business, data regard• good work Stuffy. We each have out West Point graduate who later built beauty of the original Empire and ing apparent short hauls or diversions little corner to fill and let's fill it to the St. Petersburg & Moscow Rail• spoke of it as a four-car wooden in freight movements, suggestions as overflowing!" road. greyhound. to service, etc. One purpose of these uniformly The first trains Boston to Albany left daily at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The organized committees is to keep up morning train reached Albany at 6:30 the active interest of the respective By Boomer p.m. Passengers on the afternoon N. Y. C. Man's Son departmental employes in advancing Mattoon Veterans the business of the railroad and to train stopped overnight in Springfield, My name is Boomer. The name is provide where possible, opportunities resuming their journey the next morn• somewhat misleading for I am not a Eat Turkey Dinner for employes to become better ac• ing. The same schedules applied for Killed in Far East boomer at all. I was born at Urbana, quainted with the functions and prob- the 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. trains from Among the first casualties in the Ill., and have always lived there. I Approximately 200 members and lems of other branches of the service. Albany to Boston. war between the Japs and the United like it a lot. I have been employed their guests were in attendance at the States in the Philippines was Charles Through freight trains between Bos• for sometime past as a switchman in annual turkey dinner given by Milli- Ward Harker, 22, Fire Controlman, ton and Albany began running Jan• the Urbana Yards. I have never gan Chapter, Veterans Association, Third Class, U. S. Navy. Brakeman Praised uary 1, 1842. worked elsewhere. So my name is Mattoon, Illinois, December 15. The F. W. Davis, Brakeman, Jackson Charles was the son of Mr. and misleading. dinner was served by the ladies of the The consolidation in 1867 of the Michigan, recently received the fol• Mrs. T. H. Harker, of Elkhart, In• Eastern Star in the Masonic Temple. Western and Boston & Worcester rail• I do not care for passenger work. lowing letter from Assistant Vice diana. The elder Mr. Harker is em• roads into the Boston & Albany Rail• It is all right for "Pekes" and Pom• F. J. Roytek, President, presided. President J. L. McKee: ployed as a Signalman in a signal road was but the natural result of the eranians to ride the cushions and wear In addition to the scheduled program, construction gang on the Western "I have a report before me with march of progress. Indeed, the con• swell clothes, but as for me—I'm a talks were made by Messrs. Barth. Signal District. reference to No. X-12 striking an solidation had been considered for switchman. I like best the duty as Buckbee and Houser. Mr. Roytek, in automobile which was on our tracks years before it was actually consum• Charles enlisted in the Navy on flagman, but sometimes I can be in• his closing remarks, urged all to get between Ingham Street and Blackstone mated. It was a success from the start, January 6, 1940. In a recent letter he duced to take on the head end. 1 behind the defense movement to the Street, Jackson, about 11.30 P.M., far greater than anticipated. wrote as follows: much prefer to stay with the boys in best of their ability. December 6th. I note by the report "I'm sure glad I joined the Navy. the caboose and help them out, and The next step in progress and ex• Following are the new officers: that you were off duty at the time but I would rather ride than walk any listen in on the sand house gossip. President, Louis Poliquin; Vice Pres• happened to be near this place, and tension of service came in 1900 when old day ... I expect to go to fire Now and then the road men invite ident, A. Weaver; Secretary. H. Um- that you made it your business to the Boston & Albany was leased by control school before long. I missed me to ride with them and I have stead; Treasurer, J. Pennington; stop an R.E.A. Special West until the the New York Central and thus be• out the last time due to some low gone to Peoria with them. I like to Grand Chapter Representative, F. J. automobile could be rolled off the came an integral part of the System. marks in 'math' when I came through snoop around these strange cities, but Roytek. Directors. J. E. McClelland. westbound track. Today its equipment ranks with the training. I've remedied that." best in the nation and its roadbed has when the boys toot the little old air W. S. Wardle, G. Turreff, A. N. "Your quick thinking and alert ac• been standard for years. whistle, believe me! I come on the Roberts, J. A. Hunken, S. Poliquin, tion in this matter is very commend run, for I know my visit is at an F. M. Dennis, F. G. Demarest. H. able, and I would like to have you During the present emergency the New Selkirk Foremen end and I am mighty glad to go back Owens, B. G. Binkley and F. Wamp- know that it is truly appreciated. Boston & Albany is proving its effi• to Urbana to my job. ler. Please accept the thanks of the man• ciency and capacity to handle all jobs James O'Shea and Oscar Morrison agement and myself personally for it receives. During the first nine are being congratulated on their re• The boys are swell to me. I have your action. months of 1941 it carried a total of cent promotion to Foreman, Car De• a life membership at the Railroad Arthur D. Farrabee, Conductor, died 665,316,319 tons of freight and 5,079,- partment, at Selkirk. "Y" and can go there for meals December 10. He lived in Terre 267 passengers. This represents an in• Mr. O'Shea entered the service in whenever I like, but Hiatt takes me Haute, and worked on the Terre Railroads in 1940 hauled an average crease over the first nine months of 1910 at West Albany. Mr. Morrison home at least once a week for a Haute Line of the Illinois Division. of 105.7 tons of freight one mile to earn 1940 of 170,733,781 tons of freight entered the service with the Company bath and eats. He brings me cans of He entered the service in 1909. He a dollar compared with 78.4 tons in and 177,834 passengers. in 1916 as inspector at West Albany. regulation dog food, so I will be sure was 59. 1921.

Printed in U.S.A.