WESTERN PACIFIC , Jl[!~~p';~Sls ball, Mechanical Department, worked hard on committees in connection with the successful Scout-O-Rama held in Sacramento last May. Machinist C. Davis spends considerable time with Troop 118, a group of Explorer Scouts, and Agent Jimmy Dillon has been ac tive in Scout work at Oakland for many years, as has his son, James, Jr., waterfront clerk at San Francisco. Telegrapher Jack Godwin organized a Boy Scout Troop in the little rail Department of Public Relafions road town of Wells, Nevada, midway WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD between Elko and Wendover, Utah , SACRAMENTO NORTHERN RAILWAY TIDEWATER SOUTHERN RAILWAY when he returned from the service in 526 Mission Street, San Francisco 5 1945. Having never been a Scout dur ing his youth, he worked his way up Lee "Flash" Sherwood, Editor Arthur Lloyd, Jr., Associate Editor the ladder with the boys at the age of 111 erH ber A 1nerican Railway Magazine Editors' Association 27 and became an Eagle Scout with 40 ..ilfmnuel' Northern California Industrial Editors' Association Merit Badges, highest in Scouting. Having need for a Cub Scout Pack, Do a Good Turn for someone today Jack took over, formed a group of 19 and join the three million, three hun members with a working committee of CONTENTS dred thousand Boy Scouts and leaders four den mothers and six V.F.W. men. Page who celebrate the forty-fourth anni Their first Pack m eeting was held last "Forward on Liberty's T eam" 3 versary of the Scout Movement in this November 30 and a Chr istmas party On WP Improves Freight Service.. 6 country during Boy Scout Week, February 7 to 13. R. L. Ackeret, night car foreman, shows members WP Completes Flat Car Program .. 7 As you look around you to observe of San Francisco Cub Scout Den 10. stock of re Trick Dispatcher Hits the Newsstand ...... 10 cently turned car wheels during tour of Oakland the youngsters who are benefiting by coach yard. Trainmaster Eldridge Goes East for Talks 11 participation in Scouting, honor the Mileposts in Gold 12 Scout Leader. Men who serve as Cub "Don't Be HALF Safe!" 13 masters, Scoutmasters, and Explorer Promotions and Transfers 14 Leaders are among this nation's most VP Visits Alaska. 15 unselfish citizens. Many are Western ., WP Will RemembeL .. 16 Pacific employees. Among them are "Billy" Metzger Ends Career 18 Machinist Ace Drummond, committee In Memoriam 21 man for Troop 33, Blacksmith Tommy Caboosing 22 Banford, Assistant Scoutmaster of Sports 34 Troop 48, and Sheet Metal Worker Vern Johnson, active with a troop of Credit Union Declares Four Per Cent Dividend ...... 35 Explorers, all at Sacramento; Engineer Railroad Lines ...... 36 J. R. Brown, Scoutmaster at Portola, * Milepost 55: Western Pacific tnain line parallels Southern Padfic 'main line and old and Explorer Advisor Hank Parrish, Altamont Highway through Altamont Pass. yardmaster there. Bruce Stillwell, ~ 7 store department, and R. Lamar Kim- 2 MILEPOSTS FE BRU ARY, 1954 3 Explorer Scouts Jimmie Wallock, son of I:oundhouse clerk Henry Wal lock of Elko, and John R. Anderson, son of Scoutmaster Anderson, repre sented the troop at the National Jamboree last summer, and a highlight for the boys is the annual summer trip to Camp Tracy for a week. With renewal of the charter for 1954, Scoutmaster Anderson will be suc ceeded by George L. Thompson, school teacher at Wendover. Of 22 Scouts and Explorers spon sored by the Rotary Club at Portola, Portola Troop 47 on camping trip. Photo by J. R. 15 are sons of Western Pacific fami Brown. Cubs leave side door of diesel locomotive after a lies. Star Scouts Dick Parrish and short ride and inspection with W. D. Good, night Scouts Johnnie Rossitor, Dick Parrish, Frank Ed Western Pacific, too, takes part in roundhouse foreman at WP's Oakland roundhouse. wards, Bill Scott and David Brown, Portola Troops Frank Edwards, and First Class Scout the activities of this great organization 41 and 47, traveled by special train to the Jamboree David Brown took part in the National December 16 featured a chili feed for last year. by conducting groups through its fa Jamboree at Santa Ana last summer. the boys and their parents and ex cilities and arranging special rides on At Wendover, 122 miles west of Salt These three Scouts have earned a com change of gifts. its trains. Western Pacific's advertise Lake City, Boy Scout Troop 140 was bined total of 40 merit badges. Dick Present plans include the repair of organized four years ago, sponsored Parrish and Laurence Rilea, Second ment in the San Francisco Chronicle old toys for needy children and other February 7 will lend support to Boy by the Latter Day Saints Church. Class Scout with five merit badges, needy work which will help to make During 1953 they enjoyed weekly were honored recently, having been Scout Week. their town a better one, work on the meetings, the Explorer Group for boys chosen to take part in the survival Sunday, February 7, will be ob swimming pool at Three Mile Spring, over 14 under the leadership of Fred training activities at Stead Air Force served in churches and synagogues as and keeping the cemetery cleaned and G. Kenley, fire chief at the Wendover Base, a rugged test of endurance "Boy Scout Sunday." Scouts and lead mowed. Air Base, and the boys under 14 under where the boys are left in the moun ers will attend services in uniform. The Den mothers are Mrs. Jack Godwin, Scoutmaster J. R. Anderson. tains many miles from camp to work week will be marked at school as Mrs. S. F. Burmeister, Mrs. Al Cham their way back with only the bare semblies with cer emonies, exhibits, and bers and Mrs. Vic Clyde. Ask any of these Portola Scouts and he will tell you camping is one of the highlights of this organiza necessities of life. Others in Troop 47 demonstrations of Scout skills. A train ride on the Sacramento Northern from Oak tion. are Jerry Petterson, First Class Scout, Since the Boy Scouts of America land to Concord was enjoyed by this group of Cub were incorporated in Washington, Scouts. Carl Rathburn, Jerry Groom, LeRoy McCurdy, and Dennis Miller, all D. C., on February 8, 1910. there have Second Class Scouts, and Tenderfoot been more than 21,000,000 boys and Scouts Buddy Rathburn, Jim Dack, leaders enrolled in the organization. Allan Gulling, Frederick and Johnny Switzer, and Burke Worthington. A. A. R. AIDS SCOUTS Merit badges accumulated by these Among the five Cub Scout or Scout boys total 27. projects in which the Association of There are just too many names to American Railroads has participated permit listing all employees who take has been the supplying of reference part in Scout activities between San materials to Boy Scouts working for Francisco and Salt Lake City, but their their Railroading Merit Badge. To efforts are most appreciated and their date, the association has distributed services most valuable. 12,228 kits of materials for this purpose.
4 MILEPOST, FEBRUARY, 1954 5 MERIT BADGE FOR RAILROADING Railroading is one of the newest of a long list of Merit B dge available to those who wish to reach the top in Scoutdom, that of Eagle Scout. A good knowl edge of the history and operations of the railroad transportation industry is re quired, as evidenced below, which would provide a fine background for any boy planning to make railroading his career: 1. Outline major steps in growth and development of U. S. railroads; discuss importance of railroads to OUf daily life. 2. Name railroads directly serving your community; indicate on map connecting routes to at least one city in the East, South, Middle West and Far West. 3. Explain briefly how the steam, electric and diesel1ocomotive develops power, 4. Identify examples, models or pictures of six different locomotive types and ten different kinds of rolling stock, explaining their use. 5. List principal duties of men who make up engine and train crews of a freight or passenger train. 6. (a) Demonstrate five arm or lantern signals commonly used by trainmen. (b) Tell what the several aspects of one type of semaphore or light signal system mean. Western Pacific employees of the various crafts who helped to assemble the new cars pose for their picture (c) Identify the meanings of five train whistle signals. as one of the first cars left the assembly line at the half-way mark. These photos taken by H. A. O'Rullian. (d) Describe two emergency methods of signaling a train to stop. 7. Explain at least six rules of safety to observe aboard and around trains, and with respect to hazards around tracks, platforms, yards, crossings, trestles, etc. 8. Do any three of the following: (a) Outline general organization of railroad company and briefly describe functions of its major WP COMPLETES departments. (b) Identify freight cars of at least 10 different railroads by their report heralds or symbols. (c) With one or more adults, plan and take railroad trip of 25 or more miles; purchase own ticket; read timetables and accompanying notes correctly. (d) Explore life work opportunities open to a young man in field of railroading. Describe necessary FLAT CAR PROGRAM qualifications and working conditions of one job in which you are especially interested. (e) (1) Know name, scale to foot, proportion and track gauge for four standard model railroad gaugeS. CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED were purchased prefabricated. All de (2) Demonstrate proper method of cleaning and lubricating a model locomotive and other model equipment. WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE tail parts, such as stake pockets, vari (f) Draw to scale, layout of your own model railroad, or a layout which could be built in your ous brackets, brake levers and rods, home. Layout must include at least a point-to-point or continuous loop road with variety of The last of 102 new flat cars rolled routings, turnaround, terminal, classification yard, one or more sidings. off the production line at Sacramento etc., except specialties, were manufac (g) Alone or with others. construct model railroad layout. Lay track with realistic ties, ballast and tured in the shops. scenery. Make proper wire connections from power supply to track and accessories. Shops on January 8 on a schedule that (h) Make an acceptable scale model of locomotive with or without motive power or two pieces of The underframes were received at roHing stock. (Kits may be used.) averaged better than four cars per day. (i) Draw scale plans and construct two model accessories, such as a station, bridge, trestle, tunnel, Authorization to build the new cars the shops in an upside-down position roundhouse, or turntable. was given by the Board of Directors on flat cars equipped with special load at its regular meeting last January, as ing racks (three underframes per car) a result of negotiations between WP U nderframes were easily swung from flat cars to WP IMPROVES FREIGHT SERVICE management and the Brotherhood of position on the assembly line by huge, powerful cranes. Good news for shippers and receivers the present fast operating schedules. Railway Carmen of America. of freight routed Western Pacific was The California Freight Special The steel underframe cars are of the announced by Vice President Roper on (CFS) will have a new eastern con most modern design, utilizing trucks February 1, when new schedules went nection, leaving St. Louis at 1: 30 a. m., from dismantled 50-ton drop-bottom into effect between the Middle West five hours later than at present, and gondolas. An ingenious truck side and the Bay Area. Kansas City at noon the following day, frame positioner simplified and expe General merchandise and manufac seven hous later than at present, but dited the application of column wear tured goods which leave St. Louis at still arriving at Oakland at 4: 00 p. m. plates, and contributed greatly to a 8: 30 p. m. and Kansas City at 4: 50 a. m. on the fourth day and at San Francisco more thorough and efficient inspection the following morning will arrive at at 7: 00 p. m. This is an improvement of truck side frames. The bare under Oakland at 3: 00 p. m. and San Fran of five hours in transit time from St. frames, exclusive of stake pockets, cisco at 6: 00 p. m. on the fourth day, Louis and seven hours faster from center plates, striking castings, safety an improvement of one hour over Kansas City. appliances and miscellaneous brackets,
6 MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, I954 7 mechanical and store departments. A novel type of swing boom jib crane designed to operate as an attachment to a fork lift truck was used to trans port heavy items such as draft gears, couplers, air reservoirs, brake valves, etc., from strategic storage areas to ap plication points, thus eliminating all heavy "hand" lifting. Jigs and templates for locating the Welding parts to underframes. various brackets and equipment saved considerable time and provided dupli cate accuracy. By numbered patterns taken off the sample car deck, it was possible to precut by machine each complete car N early completed cars wait on assemhly line for A truck side frame positioner was aid to welding. set of decking to exact size and shape decking while new frames wait for unloading. in the wood mill, thus avoiding all and transferred by crane to timber placed right side up on their proper hand cutting and fitting on the assem skids, where they r emained in an trucks and moved along a final as bly line. Match marking each board upside-down position for the appli sembly line for welding on lading strap and the location of each board on top cation of all underneath equipment. anchors, application of decking, paint of center sill with corresponding num Using riveting only where essential, ing, stencilling, and a thorough final bers stencilled on the underframe by welding was used wherever possible inspection before releasing for service. use of a long paper tape stencil and in a position which would eliminate Assembly was expedited by the spray brush made this application difficult overhead or vertical appli strategic location of all materials which simple and expedient. cation. After spray painting, the avoided unnecessary handling through An innovation in the design of these very close cooperation between the underframes were turned over and cars is the extension of 3/4 -inch top A swing boom jib crane was built for use with a Complete with new decking, cars move along long After spray painting, the underframes were turned side sill flange over and past the side fork lift truck to handle heavy items such as draft assembly line for final inspection before release. over and placed right side up on their proper trucks. stake pockets with cutout to match gears. each pocket opening. Pockets are made integral by continuous welding to side Deck boards, some cut to fit around side stake sill web and top flange, thus affording pockets, were precut and numbered, permitting easy assembly by matching identical numbers on full protection to stake pocket against the underframes. distortion. These cars are now in freight service and are proving satisfactory in every instance. All design and detail drawings for these cars were prepared by the me chanical department under the direc tion of E. E. Gleason, chief mechanical officer, and D. R. Sarbach, superintend ent of shops, who supervised actual construction.
8 MILEPOSTS FEBRCARY, 1954 TRICK DISPATCHER TRAINMASTER ELDRIDGE HITS THE NEWSSTAND GOES EAST FOR TALKS About seventeen years ago the De Problems that face a night chief dis (a lumbering town named for his troit Alumni Association of the na patcher while operating trains through grandfather) on November 15, 1901. tional college fraternity Alpha Tau the Feather River Canyon will be dis He drifted into railroading after leav Omega formed a Scholarship Foun closed to readers of the April issue ing college, first as a yard clerk for the dation to give financial assistance to of Railroad Magazine in an illustrated Santa Fe at Galveston. From 1918 to deserving and ambitious high school feature article, "Night Chief," by Peter 1926 he worked for various roads as boys desirous of a college education. Josserand, trick dispatcher at Sacra clerk, telegrapher, and agent, and in One of the earlier winners among the mento. 1927 was promoted to dispatcher on the nearly 100 boys who have been gradu According to Freeman H. Hubbard, T. & N. O. at Houston. ated is Colin C. Eldridge, trainmaster editor, J osserand's story emphasizes From the SP he went to the Mis I, at Salt Lake City, a graduate of the human-interest side of railroading souri Pacific dispatching, leaving there Cornell. in line with the new policy of the maga in 1930 when the retrenchment move On November 19 Colin returned to zine and he does a better than usual ment forced him to seek employment the group that helped him several years job pictorially as well as in text. off the railroads. While employed with ago to fulfill a speaking engagement, Writing is not new to Josserand. His an oil company he spent iwelve years one of the first by a successful Scholar Colin Eldridge, center, with James H. Caudle (left), president, and Bruce K. Bockstanz, secre first stories were tales of hunting and shuttling back and forth between Okla ship winner. tary, of the Detroit Alumni Association, Alpha Tau fishing, which were bought by Outdoor homa and Missouri and it was during On behalf of the Detroit Alumni As Omega. Life and Field and Stream in the thir this time that he began writing. sociation of Alpha Tau Omega Fra railroading from the West Coast and ties and in 1937 he wrote an article pre Since coming to Western Pacific in ternity, President James A. Caudle answered all questions to complete dicting that the diesel would supplant 1942, Josserand has spent about half wrote President Whitman to express sa tisfaction." the steam engine for Diesel Power. of his time working on the chief's desk, their sincere appreciation to him and On November 18, Eldridge "sold" Peter was born at Josserand, Texas mostly as night chief. His wife, who Western Pacific for permitting Eldridge both railroading and Western Pacific was his stenographer for five years, to attend their meeting. "I believe the most convincingly to all present at became secretary to General Agent intense interest displayed and attention Northwestern Universi ty's Chicago C. R. Harmon when Peter bid in the given to Colin by one of the largest transportatio!l class in an informal talk relief job On the chief's desk. When turnouts we've had this year even dealing with the operation of important the assistant chief's job was abolished, justifies the distance to Detroi t," wrote fruit blocks, which he illustrated by and because of eye trouble, Josserand Caudle. "Several of the members pres means a few effective exhibits. took a trick dispatching job instead of ent were auto executives, including the Colin's most recent success was the returning as night chief. general manager of Pontiac Division, announcement of a third daughter, General Motors Corporation, who Carol Christy (father's initials), born asked several intriguing and debatable December 15. Colin and his wife, DID YOU KNOW THAT ... questions. Brother Eldridge displayed Marian, have two other daughters, United States Senator Edwin C. considerable knowledge of freight Wendy and Mary, but as yet, no sons. Johnson in his younger days was a railroad section hand, a telegraph op Colin was having dinner with his friends while A little later on in the evening, when Colin was erator, and a train dispatcher? east, and complained to the waiter that he couldn't asked what he would like for dessert, he' asked: eat his soup. The waiter called the manager. "What flavors of ice cream do you have?" <. "I'm very sorry, sir," said the manager. "I'll The pretty waitress answered in a hoarse whis call the chef." per: "Vanilla, strawberry and chocolate." Harry Von Zell, popular radio an Colin still insisted that he couldn't eat his soup. Trying to be sympathetic, Colin said, "You got "What's wrong with it?" demanded the chef. laryngitis ?" nouncer and comedian, was once a "Nothing," calmly answered Colin, "I just don't "No," replied the pretty waitress, with an effort, have a spoon." "just vanilla, strawberry and chocolate." Peter Josserand railroad payroll clerk? FEBRUARY, 11 10 MILEPOSTS 1954 qauf gefl.fl.M ~eJ: GOLD MILEPOSTS IN "Don'l Be HALF Sofe!" "The number of reportable injuries MILEPOSTS congratulates the following employees to whom Service Pin to Western Pacific employees took a drop during 1953, as compared with P.~ wards will be issued during the month of February, 1954: 1952: 40-YEAR PIN REPORTABLE INJURIES Eastern Division Earl A. Woodward ...... wConductor 1953 1952 DECREASE 35- YEAR PINS Eastern Division .... 31 40 23% Harry H. FulleL " ____ . Locomotive Engineer ..... Eastern Division Western Division 94 97 3% Joseph M. Weyer-_ ,_ . .. .. Section F areman .. Western Division Mechanical Department 4 8 50% Miscellaneous ._.. o I) 100% 30-YEAR PINS Frank R. Bouleware Conductor ."...... Eastern Division TOTAL. 129 15 1 15% Val W. Dycus .. ___ ...... Locomotive Engineer . Western Division "While the above figures do not r ep 25-YEAR PINS resent a startling improvement in the George J. Benedict...... · .... Car Foreman ...... M echanical Dept. Harry R. Lawrence, Sr.. .. Conductor ._... Western Division reduction of accidents during 1953, Daniel W. Sullivan .. .. Conductor ...... Eastern Division they nevertheless show an improve 20- YEAR PINS ment over the previous year. William E. Brown...... Section Foreman ...... Western Division Olaf Erickson._ ...._ ...... · .... ,B&B Carpentec. . __ .. __ .. _We stern Division "Once again employees at Sacra Raymond A. Retallic. __ ..... Machinist ...... Mechanical Dept. Frank X, Steiner .. · ..... Clerk ...... Western Division mento Shops have gone without a re Rex L. Warren .. _...... Section Foreman .. .. Western Division portable injury, something they have . . d- 15-YEAR PINS accomplished for over three years. We Ames S, Calhoon ...... _...... Switchman .' Western Division Leslie H. Clapham_...... _.. ... Machinist ...... , .. . Mechanical Dept. believe there are several reasons why David D. Davies...... Blacksmith Helper ... _Mechanical Dept. these employees are able to keep up -tJafety i~upto YOU Chester E. Graham...... Ditcher Engineer .. Western Division Sidney H. Retallic_...... MachinisL ...... M echanical Dept. this commendable safety record. They Grady E. Wilbourn .. Boilermaker ...... Mechanical Dept. are determined not to get hurt; they "The above figures should certainly 10-YEAR PINS think in advance before they begin stimulate all of us to strive for an even Dorothy A. Alderman ...... Clerk, Freight Claim Dept.. ._.. __ San Francisco Hobert T. Baker...... Yardman ..... _...... Eastern Division their work; they look for hazards that better record this year. Ther e are still Edith Bare ...... Clerk, Auditor of Revenues ...... San Francisco could cause an injury; and they an Jack S. Butterfield .. Machinist . Mechanical Dept . some of us who do not realize the seri Louis E. Carson .. . Clerk ... Western Division ticipate what may cause an accident ousness of this problem. It's like a dis George E. Darling .. .Clerk . .. .. Western Division Sheldon F. Dorius_. .. _ .Switchman .. Western Division and plan to avoid being hurt. ease-everybody has a cure, but only James H. Ford _ ...... Carman .. .. Mechanical Dept. "The transportation department, for the ailments of others. In this case Mettie E. Gilbert . ... Laborer Mechanical Dept . Lido J. Libro ... _...... Electrician M echanical Dept . which invariably accounts for about. the cures are means to correct the un Rudolph H. Miller .. .. . __ Signal Inspectors Signal Dept . Everett C. Schwartz. __ __ Cannan . Mechanical Dept. 50 per cent of all injuries, also showed safe acts of others. The real answer is Herbert D . Worthy ... Yardman .. Eastern Division improvement. There were ten less re it is YOUR individual way of living portable injuries in this department an d acting that determines your safety. A man had his new dog out fol' a 'Walk "1 don't like to criticize," said the English visitor, Whe11 he came to a river. 1-1 e threw a stick in "but I do think our way of answering the telephone during 1953 than in the year 1952. The magic of safety is you! jar the ani,rnal to f etch. To Ids astonis h'J-nent is better tha n yours." "Lack of space prevents listing the "The firm establishment and appli instead oj pltf.,n giny in. the dOl! walked o'nt on "Oh? What do you say that's so much better?" the' sur-face of the river and retrieved Ube English Visitor: " Well, instead of saying 'Hello.' many departments and countless indi cation of the three 'E's' of safety will stick. Not believing his eyes, the ?'Itan t hrelV we say 'Are you there?' Then, of course, if you're viduals who deserve praise and r ecog start you on the right track: the sti.ck u.r;ain, and (l.(la.in t h e clog walked not there, t here's no use going on with the con across the w ater and fetched it. versation." nition for their fine efforts in prevent EducatioTIr-Learn about safety_ ((Where did you .o et that clog 1)' asked (l 1Jasser-by. ing accidents during 1953_ Instead, we Enforcement-Practice what the «("1 bott.(lht hi'ln for a hwndred dollars/) saId its owner proudly. JUne.' U] don)t intend to be 1narri.ed until take this means to commend all of you, rules say. Prn 30.)) ((Well, youJd better get yOUy -mo ney baclc/J individually and collectively, for this Engineering-Complete safe use of said the stra,-;-tger . uYng)ve be6n taken. That Joan: «(J rlon)t i.ntend to be 30 tf.,n til 1-'1-n dog canJt even 8wi'm!}) rrl"arri,ed . }) improved performance. signs, signals, equipment, etc."
12 MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1954 13 PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS David H. Copenhagen has been pro ard and Bruce. He is a member of the moted to position of assistant to vice Pa~ific Traffic Association. president-traffic, effective January 1, Dinkel, a native of New Albany, according to an announcement by Vice Indiana, has been with Western Pa President Roper. cific since 1928, when he became a Stanley E. Dinkel, general agent at clerk at Stockton. After various po-
David H. Copenhagen Seattle since March 1, 1952, succeeds sitions, including traffic representative Copenhagen as assistant general at Fresno and Stockton, Stan was ap Left to right: D. H. Miller, assistant director, Division of Property Management, Department of the In freight agent at San Francisco, and pointed general agent at Seattle on terior, Washington; H. C. Munson; Thomas Balmer, vice president and Western counsel, Great Northern Railway, Seattle; and H. K. Dougan, consulting engineer-auditor, St. Paul. Seated is F. E. Kalbaugh, Dinkel's successor is Robert Munce, March 1, 1952. general manager, A laska Railroad. traffic representative at Los Angeles Dinkel is married and the father of and Stockton since 1942. Both appoint four sons and one daughter. VP VISITS ALASI(A ments are effective February 1. Munce, a Western Pacific employee Copenhagen was born at Portland, since 1942 when he became traffic Harry C. Munson returned to his During the period November 16 to Oregon, September 19, 1915. He started representative at Los Angeles, became desk at Western Pacific last November 24, the party went over the entire 470- his railroad career with Western Pa 27 following a tour of the Alaska Rail mile main line between Seward and traffic representative at Stockton on cific in July, 1932, as file clerk, and has road with a committee of three ap Fairbanks, as well as branch lines, March 1, 1952, which position he held steadily worked his way up through pointed by Secretary of the Interior studying shop and other facilities, in at the time of his present appointment. the traffic department. Douglas R. McKay. cluding river-boat oper ations, with the He lives in Menlo Park with his wife, Bob is married and the father of one With Munson in making the compre object of recommending opportunities Margaret, and three sons, David, Rich- son and two daughters. hensive survey of the Government for improvement in economy and per owned railroad were Thomas Balmer, formance in maintenance, operation Pm' sev er al minut es a rather u n couth, diner A man could retire nicely in his old age if he vice president and western counsel, and traffic of the railroad. had been annoyfng those at n eighboring could dispose of his experience for what it cost him. ta,bles 'in the resta,urant by his i m,patient ele - Great Northern Railway; Henry K. As a result of their investigation, ina'nds upon the wniter.. . Dougan, engineer-accountant-consult many opportunities for improvement A t one point, 'Whi le the to .a t te~ 'was sCT'lnn g F'o r jorty years they had been hitched, and another cus tomer, the bOO'l'1Sh fellow banged jar forty years she had ntade the li~uing. Then ant, of St. Paul; and Don Miller, prop were found, all of which are incorpo on the table and yelled: w~1'hat does a 1nan h e died. The thrifty widow instructed that his erty management department, Division rated in the official report of the com hav( ~ to do aroun d here to get a glass oj hody be cTe 'Yn a t ed and the ashes placed i'/t an water?)) mittee which was turned over to A d enture young la,dy at the next table hour glass. Car ejuUy placi n g i t on- the 1nantel, of U. S. Territories, Department of the looked o..t k iln a 1nOl'l'J,ent mul sa·id, sweetly) she sat down to rock and 8aid~ ({plow, you Interior, Washington, D. C. Secretary McKay. ((Try setting you'rselj on fir e.)) t Dorthless b1t'fn, at last YOUJ}'F gonna work/ J FEBRUARY, 1954 15 14 MILEPOSTS WP WILL REMEMBER His affiliations include the Brother the Company, 13 years at Oroville and hood of Locomotive Engineers at Elko 12 at Stockton. "When a man devotes his life to an industry, he has and the Veterans of Foreign Wars truly paid that industry his greatest compliment." Winnemucca. ' LeQuellec began his railroad career at the age of 16 with the Southern Pa On behalf of all employees of West dren in the family of Julius and H elena There are three children in the cific at Sumner, California, now known ern Pacific and its affiliated compa O'K eefe Baker. He attended school in Baker family: Cleora Brockbank as Bakersfield. In the years follow nies MILEPSOTS extends sincerest best Minnesota until 15, then went to Fargo, Lakeport, California; Harlene Shep~ ing he worked on various railroads wishes for future happiness to the fol North Dakota, to work as a h elper pard, Houston; and L eo Baker, Salt lowing employees whose retirement washing boilers in Northern Pacific's Lake City. thr oughout the United States and in the Panama Canal Zone and Cuba. H e has been reported: roundhouse. Ed plans to spend his winters in recalls working on the Boca & Loyal PhiLas O. Damon, carman, Oakland. Too young to be a fireman he stayed California, but summer will call him David A. Fallon, locomotive engi a year before r eturning to Crookston, ton at Loyalton when the Western Pa back to the sagebrush state, where he cific was under construction. neer, Stockton. Minnesota, to fire engines for the G N r ailroaded for so many years. Warren S. Hopkinson, CCT store there. He moved West in 1906, first Al will continue to live in Oroville keeper-clerk, Stockton. as a fireman at Gr and Forks, Minot * * where he has many friends and will John W. Munday, agent-telegrapher, and Devil's L ake, North Dakota, then Albert C. LeQuellec boilermaker no doubt enjoy attending many local Oroville. into Cutbank and White Fish, Montana. retired from Western Pacific on De~ whist parties which he and his wife * Walter L. Steward, laborer, Keddie. While working out of Salt Lake City cember 15 after 25 years of service with greatly enjoy. James W. Wright, per diem clerk, he met his wife, Miss Emily Anderson. San Francisco. During the depression of 1915 he Carl Germa~n , assi~tant chief c.lerk; Ray Coleman, lease clerk; Cliff Norden, assistant engineer; and Henry ~arvtn, archItectural engtneer, were honored at a special Christmas-Retirement party held just be * * * turned to cutting wood and clearing fore Chnstmas. F. R. Woolford, chief engineer (center), presented the quartet with appropriate gifts in On New Year's Day, Engineer Ed land in Alberton, Montana, and joined behalf of their many friends and co-workers. ward Baker, 64, retired from Western the Oregon Shortline at Pocatello, Pacific in Winnemucca due to illness. Idaho, the following spring as a fire Born December 16, 1889, in Minne man and the following y ear was work apolis, he was the youngest of six chil- ing on the Rio Grande. * L eft service prior to retirement. He made the Western Pacific pay roll On October 7, 1917, but in March of 1918 he answered the call to colors as a private in the Army artillery. While overseas he was engaged in the big drive of the Argonne Forest shortly before the Armistice was signed, then left fo r Brest, France, five months later to help build a railroad around the camp containing 180,000 soldiers wait .. ing to return to America. He r esumed his fireman's post on the W P and he was advanced to engineer on May 5, 1923, at Elko. While work ing at Portola in 1939 he suffered a sick spell which kept him away from the rails until June, 1942. He has been day ~ireman Pete Menicucci, Engineer Roy Lomas, Ed switch engineer in Winnemucca yard ward Baker. and Agent C. C. Duck, the day before Baker's retirement. for the last eleven years. 16 MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1954 17 ----
"BILLY" METZGER ENDS CAREER William F. Metzger gave up his po Born in Janesville, Wisconsin, on sition as Western Pacific's No.1 em January 8, 1889, Billy looks young for ployee in years of service when he his 65 years. He began his 47%-year climbed down from the cab of a diesel career in April, 1906, in the shop for locomotive at Oakland Pier on De the Alameda and San Joaquin Rail cember 30. Accompanied by his charm road, which ran 36 miles between ing wife, Euvetta, and Dan O. McKel Stockton and Tesla, and was later lips, WP's first engineer, who rode taken over by Western Pacific and is with Billy in the cab for part of his now part of the main line between last run, the trio was warmly greeted Stockton and Carbona. by a group of well-wishing friends and He began firing on a construction relatives. train in July, 1906, when Dan McKel Before leaving Sacramento, Metzger lips ran trains over track being layed was presented with a letter commend through Livermore Valley. He was Correspondent Helen Small photographed Billy at Norman Roberts, road foreman of engines, took ing him on his years of service by displaced by Fireman Jim Leverett and 1 Oroville with his crew, Jack Wallis. fireman; Ralph this picture of Billy at the controls on his final trip. Landon, conductor, and Brakemen Joe Helmick Superintendent G. W. Curtis. At Oak took a job hauling gravel from Car and Jack Latham, just before they left for Oakland. land he received a beautiful wrist bona to Livermore, firing for Engineer J Metzger was promoted to engineer watch, presented by Engineer W. D. Frank Cooke. He then took a local gust, 1910, and fired the first passenger in October, 1911. He was engineer of "Bud" Taber, on behalf of Metzger's freight run, Oakland to Stockton, until train out of Oakland to Oroville on the Exposition Flyer when that train fellow engineers and firemen. passenger service was installed in Au- August 22 for William Meyers, father was inaugurated in 1939, and became of Elmer Meyers, B. of L. E. general engineer on the California Zephyr Many stories could be told by this group of retired engineers, whose total WP service adds up to more than 250 years. On hand to greet BilIy Metzger on his last run were, from left, Elmer Myers, B. of L. E. chairman and now No.1 man on the when it went into service in March, general chairman, now No. I man on the engineer's foster; Charley Ellis, Benny Huff, Dan McKellips, engineer's roster. 1949. Metzger, and Jack Stapp. Billy and his wife have been married W. D. "Bud" Taber, engineer, presents Billy with a watch given by friends with whom he had worked for 31 years and now live at 2656 Sixty for many years, as Mrs. Metzger looks on with eighth Avenue, Oakland. They have admiration and H. C. Munson extends congratula- ~= tions. no children. He likes gardening and traveling, which will undoubtedly take up much of his now leisure time. In a letter to his many friends, Billy said: "I gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the wonderful reception given me by Western Pacific employees at Oroville, Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, and San Francisco when I made my last trip on the California ] Zephyr December 30. 1953, when I re tired after 47% years' service with the Western Pacific. I also wish to thank each of you for the beautiful gift pre sented to me at Oakland Pier."
When a girl says "No" to a proposal. she often expects to be held for further questioning.
FEBRUARY, 1954 19 ------
DAN McKELLIPS RETURNS TO CAB ~~ . In Memoriam ':~,~ [EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter ~. ". was received from Dan O. McKellips ~.~ _~-;:.:__ .,~..;.::;~ :;"', _~:_-_--_~...... ,:.:::-.f-~'!.._"'I'J. ~....., _ .'._ ... ___ . -'" - -_ ...... ,;c;;- ._-....., relating the changes he noted when he rode the cab on Billy Metzger's last run.] On behalf of all employees of West Leslie G. MacArthur, extra gang "I am writing a few lines to let you ern Pacific and its affiliated companies, laborer, December 20, 1953. know just how an old-timer locomotive MILEPOSTS extends sincerest sympa engineer feels after being off the road Amos E. Nickols, retired locomotive thy to the loved ones of the following for 15 years. engineer, January 5, 1954. whose death has been reported: Joseph E. Ouellet, retired telegra Mr . Munson was so kind to issue a Samuel M. Autra, carman helper, pher, December 4, 1953. permit for me to ride the head end of December 28, 1953. the Zephyr with Billy Metzger at the Carl Bye, retired pile driver fore Henry Petty, janitor , January 6, 1954. throttle, and such a change there has man, January 3, 1954. Wilson A . Schollars, retired loco been in railroading-1 can hardly real Pic.tured above are three employees who began Thomas F. Connolly, retired laborer, motive engineer, December 29, 1953. ize it. their careers with Western Pacific when the com pany first started operations at Sacramento. Their date unknown. Charles E. Smith, heavy duty oper com~ined service totals 128% years, during which Everything controlled by one man in no time was lost by these men because of personal Charles DeLaCroix, retired dining ator (dumptor), December 19, 1953. Sacramento. The brakemen have no injury. With Machine Foreman A . Johnson left car steward, November 28, 1953. now retired, Ja~k Stratton: machinist inspecto;, and John F. Wallace, retired marine switches to throw and no flagging. On Ed Gleason, chIef mechamcal officer, remain behind William L. Holt, Sacramento North with Locomotive 94, also retired, but held for his- engineer, December 13, 1953. the front end there are, as before, two torical and exhibition purposes. ern assistant roadmaster, January 9, men in the cab, an engineer and a 1954. Roy F. Wheelhouse, assistant sta fireman. The engineer does not have James M. Sutherland, janitor at Sacramento freight John F. Jeffrey, retired chief drafts tionmaster and yard clerk, December station, was given a retirement party by the office to get out in storms to oil around. The force last month and presented with a lounging robe man, December 19, 1953. 14, 1953. fireman no water or oil to take which and clock radio, in their, behalf, by Chief Clerk is a fine thing and a big difference in Irwm. firing since I started railroading in TEDDY'S LAST RUN 1884 at $90. I had to put 10 to 12 cords The "little engineer" of Rockaway little railroad grew to huge proportions. of wood into the wood-burner and 10 Beach (suburb of San Francisco) According to his mother, Mrs. Mar to 12 tons of coal while I fired the coal reached the end of the line on Janu tha Warwick, who was alone with him burner hogs. Those were the days be ary 7, the victim of the incurable leuke when the end came, Teddy died quietly fore the Book of Rules were issued in mia which struck him down last June. and in no apparent pain. He had been 1891. MILEPOSTS (November, 1953) read losing ground to the blood cancer Well, I am so glad things have ers will recall Teddy's desire to ride steadily for the past several weeks be changed so and I hope to live a few the California Zephyr, and the thrill fore he lapsed into a semi-coma. His more years to see other changes. But he had when that opportunity came last words, said Mrs. Warwick, were: when you get up to 85 years, you can true last September. He also enjoyed "Gee, mom, I feel awful." not expect much more unless you seeing Western Pacific movies at his Mrs. Warwick expressed her deepest figure on reaching the 100-year mark. home on two occasions, and was happy thanks to Western Pacific for its kind as could be with his collection of ness toward Teddy, to the press for the I do not know if this interests you numerous train photos and posters for messages of cheer and toy rail equip or not, but you boys are so keen I his train room. Equipment for his ment sent her little boy by readers thought you might pick out a little of Lionel train was also given Teddy by when his illness was first disclosed last this that would interest others." his Western Pacific friends, and the August by the local press.
20 MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1954 21 I' tusion to his neck when he fell from a car while on duty, are good. I EARL MILLER , clerk, is well on his way to recovery following recent sur ea&oosing gery, and BOB TAYLOR, general agent, has returned to work sufficiently im proved to carryOn with his duties, all of which is good news. This also ap With this issue we would like to PAT SULLIVAN and B. T. PRICE spent plies to Brakeman CHAMP B. BISHOP, introduce Conductor J. B. PRICE , MILE a leisurely vacation at home, and R. L. who is back to work after several POSTS' correspondent at Salt Lake City. HANSEN and C. F. MALSTROM enjoyed months of absence. "J . B." is in WP train service, as is vacations during the Christmas holi Congratulations to Switchman and his younger brother, B. T. PRICE , and days. Mrs. BERT BROWN upon the arrival of has volunteered to keep readers posted We're passing along a little news a son born November 30. with the latest operating employee item which the gals and wives will MARY LEACH, PBX operator, has happenings at the far end of the east probably be glad to hear, at least my been performing relief work at Stock ern division. wife thinks so. Liberace is coming to ton freight office for vacationers, h EJ' CHARLES OWEN was required to re Salt Lake City in May; we can't say place being filled by Dona Dorado, linquish this post because of time re how, but we hope by California daughter of HARVEY Ross, assistant quired for other matters, and in all Zephyr. chief clerk. Which reminds us, BERNICE William Bell and Kathleen Rose Malley fairness to the readers suggested that PARKS, interchange clerk, enjoyed a he be r eplaced. Charlie contributed STOCKTON vacation with her husband, visiting Donald R. Rees, as did Sue and William a most interesting column whenever Martin, both double - r ing ceremonies, Virginia Rustan relatives in Salt Lake City over the time permitted and we wish to thank holidays. conducted by R everend T. A. Litov in Four of our employees who partici him for his fine reports during the past An apology is due CHIEF CLERK Mc Portola Community Church. Kathleen pated in the 20-UP CLUB fishing year he served as correspondent. ATEE for a misprint in the January Rose Malley became the bride of Wil derby are still basking in the limelight. issue, wherein it stated that LAWRENCE liam Bell in the Assembly of God We're wondering if ERNIE MANCUSO, DANIELS took over his position as church at which Reverend Otto J. Bell, SALT LAKE CITY GEORGE HENYAN, ED HARDY , and JOHN "check clerk" while Mac enjoyed a father of the bridegroom, performed John C. Martin HIGHTOWER are still feasting on their the ceremony. J. P. Price vacation. Sorry it happened, Mac! catches-along the lines of the Thanks Participating in the weddings were: Ow, sincere sympathy is extended to giving turkey. Mrs. HANNAH MONAHAN, nurse, her Salt Lake City is happy to report the family of Brakeman A. R. COOK , Latest reports on Switchman ARCHIE husband, Brakeman BUD MONAHAN; that all survived the holidays and we who passed away recently after suffer NOURSE, who suffered a severe con- Mrs. Calvin Dorithy, wife of Engineer are all back to normal, except for pay ing a heart attack. ing the bills, of course. CALVIN DORITHY; Mrs. Laura Nally, Good old Mr. Stork paid a visit to FEBRUARY COVER wife of T. F. NALLY, perishable depart PORTOLA ment; Mrs. Merle Reed and husband. the home of Trainmaster and Mrs. C. C. San Francisco Cub Scout Den No. 10 , with Den Phyllis Laughlin Brakeman JACK REED; and Mrs. Agnes ELDRIDGE on December 15 and left a Mother Mrs. Walter tiny daughter named Carol. Our Dickinson , watch the Dan Cupid paid a call to Porto' a Cloud, wife of BRAKEMAN CLOUD. Zephyrette go through h eartiest congratulations! the washer at WP's Oak Hospital Jast month, but not as a pa A son, the third, Jeffery Charles, was land coach yard while on tient. Instead he drew his bow and born to Mrs. Vrismo, wife of Brake Our former correspondent, CHARLES a recent tour. MILE OWEN, is a grandpappy, daughter Carol POSTS this month pays struck the hearts of two pretty nurses, man JOHNNIE VRISMO; and the second tribute to Boy Scout daughter, named Janet Ann, was born having presented him with a fine baby Week, February 7 to 13, DELORES GROTHE, SUE ROGERS, and one granddaughter. Didn't know Chick in observance of the 44th lone male, WILLIAM BELL, janitor. De to Mrs. Mary Jane Reynolds, wife of birthday of this fine or- was getting that old. ganization. lores exchanged marriage vows with EDDIE REYNOLDS, brakeman.
22 FEBRUARY, 19 54 23 Sixty-three clerks and their guests WINNEMUCCA Retired Engineer BILL SCHOL LARS attended a Christmas party h eld at Doris Cavanagh died here December 29, 1953. He was Civic Center HalL Among the guests February is full of special dates. Boy firing on the Humboldt (now eastern) of honor were Trainmaster and Mrs. Scouts who "Practice daily the Golden division before track laying had been VIRGIL EDWARDS and Traffic Clerk and Rule" were founded in 1910. Edison, completed between Salt Lake and Mrs. LEO LAMPKA of Reno. Lincoln, W ashington, and Longfellow Oakland. A son, James, survives. We're sorry to hear that CHARLIE were born in the month of St. Valen Forty-five years ago, Winnemuccans RUSE is again back in the hospital and tine. Even the ground hog has his witnessed a novel sight of mule cars Candlemas. r unning through the principal streets hope that when he leaves this time it Keeping the tracks in first class condition is all part will bring him back to work. For the Boy Scouts youth program, one day in February when Maney of a day's work for Joe Ojeda, Jesus Duenaz, and Salud Hernandez, members of Section Gang No.3. Friends of GEORGE McMICHAEL r e a one-day Humboldt County drive in Bros. & Co., WP contractors, had gravel charge of JACK HEWARD. finance chair cars taken by C. W. Culton and his big tired carman, will be glad to know' that Los Angeles and vicinity, returning in man, netted $1,243.65 to be used by the team of mules from the SPline to he is out of Quincy Hospital and has time to spend Christmas with Mrs. Nevada Area Council at R eno. Dur ing scene of construction work across the gone to Or oville for the winter . Lampman's brother and sister-in-law February, Scouts will serve as state Humboldt River. Sorry to learn that 1. L. "IKE" JOHN at Salinas. While in Los Angeles, Harry county and city officials for a day. ' Routed via the railroad bridge over SON, r oundhouse stationary engineer, visited the WP office there and was Conductor MARION "PIKE" MINOR at a spur line were the steam shovel and is in Portola Hospital and hope he gets engines by tedious method of laying, able to get seats on the Starlight back to work real soon. a December wedding gave his niece, through the efforts of BERNIECE Hop Miss Patricia Mullinix in marriage to pulling up, and relaying the track sec The Hospital Staff h eld their annual KINS for which the captain is most James Brandt, a Winnemucca youth tions. First excavation made by the Christmas dinner at the Log Cabin. grateful. stationed at Moffett Field. shovel for the big cut and fill was near About sixty employees and guests en Retired locomotive engineer CHARLIE Temporarily away from their cabs the Miller & Lux scales, where the joyed the dinner and dance. Hosts ELLIS is strutting around because of were Engineers RAY MOORE, ROY principal part of the Winnemucca yard were DOCTORS BROWN, BROSS, and a fine granddaughter, Roberta, born LOMAS, JACK MARRS, and Firemen FRED was to be located. At least two months PETERS. Guests of honor were Mr. and January 2. Congratulations to Charlie ELWELL, C. LEWIS, and E. H. DUNSTON. would be required to make the cut and M rs. E. Warren. He is one of the di level the ground for terminal purposes. and his daughter, Lucille Hough, rectors from Washo General Hospital Cashier HANK MENTABERRY is chair mother of the newborn babe. in Reno. Joe Sheeley, dearly beloved man of the Jaycee's special event com OAKLAND AD GEBALA, steno-clerk, just re mittee. retired Postmaster officiated as Santa Hazel Petersen turned from vacation looking fine Claus. JAMES DYCKHOFF bumped Time Captain and Mrs. H. B. LAMPMAN though looking a little the worse for keeper How ARD BARRETT on Extra Quite a few winter vacationers. and son, Billy, spent a short vacation loss of sleep. Doesn't affect his alert Gang 31. Foreman AL SCHUETTER on LERoy PRYOR, baggageman-janitor, visiting with friends and relatives in ness and efficiency, however. vacation, was relieved by CmCK B~CA. JEAN McHAHDY, interchange clerk, and family off to Arkansas to visit their Among the telegraphers, KENNETH Tal Kelly, Oakland city ticket office, and Grant is recuperating nicely from h er recent parents; W. J. NIXON, machinist helper , Evans, trainmaster at Oakland, pictured while re QUINTANA worked third trick while cently accompanying a Western Pacific special. illness and expects to be back to work and C. C. HARVEY, machinist, East to DAYLE DAYTON relieved BILL STEPHEN in the very near future. visit family and friends. NELL BROWN SON, who traveled to Albuquerque, Friends of COLIN ELDRIDGE here join and I. C. BALDWIN w ent to the Bay New Mexico. Back in town was A. A. the many others in expressing their Area, and DON NASH, engineering in MOEGLIN, while OLLIE EVANS was away congratulations on the birth of his new spector, spent New Year's in S eattle. from the teletickers. daughter, Carol Christy. With no sons Tech. Sgt. Vernon Robyler arrived Section Foreman RUSTY RHODES of as yet, his youngest daughter at least at Portola to spend his leave with his Venado turned his gang over to GRANT bears his initials, C. C. parents, Section Foreman and Mrs. KA Y during an allotted holiday and GEORGE MIX, passenger traffic repre SCHUETTER, after 19 months in Korea. RUDY lVIENDEZ was in charge for sentative, received a card from FRANK While overseas Vernon received a Section Foreman CLYDE MILLER of DURANT to announce his 50th wedding Bronze Medal Citation for valor. Cholona. anniversary On January 24 at Napa.
24 MI LEPOSTS l'EBRLARY, 1954 25 eyes. AL HOFFMAN, GEORGE McBRIDE, ELKO and JOE JIRAL all received TV's for Rosalie Enke Christmas. Even Car Foreman JEFF We were sorry to learn of the death GIBSON broke down and put one in his of WILSON A. SCHOLLARS in Winne home. mucca on December 29. He retired One of these days we might see a big June 30, 1946, after 37 years of service. sign in front of a produce market read Our deepest sympathy is also ex ing JIRAL'S fresh vegetables. Joe and tended to Special Agent BOB and SHIR his wife are selling all kinds and fruits. LEY STENOVICH, and to Division Engi neer CHARLIE FORSETH on the recent KEDDIE losses in their families. Elsie Hagen Agent J. F. "MAC" McELROY and his JOE CLINTON returned home the first wife proved that perseverance pays off. of the year after a vacation in Chicago After homesteading at the Stockmen's and Council Bluffs, Iowa, over the for approximately two and a half holidays. months, they WOn the beautiful new Another Chicago visitor was TOM Ford station wagon which was given GRIFFIN, brakeman. away at Christmas time. Wilbur Stubblefield, son of Con Congratulations to our newlyweds, Frank retired from WP on May 15, Agent GEORGE LYON, Modesto, from re ductor BILL STUBBLEFIELD, completed Night Chief PERRY L. HUCKABY and 1940, after many years as rate clerk at turning to his job as soon as expected. his U. S. Navy training course with a Telegrapher MAISIE LEGGATT! San Francisco and chief clerk for the good passing mark and has been as PETE FRISELLA, signal maintainer at general agent at Sacramento. He re SACRAMENTO SHOPS signed to a ship on the East Coast. Shafter, spent a holiday vacation visit ports he is in excellent health. Ray Fender ing relatives in St. Louis. Visiting in E. E. REDDICK , conductor, surprised MARCELLA KAHL, MILEPOSTS' corre Salt Lake City over Christmas were all of us just before Christmas by re spondent on leave of absence, has GEORGE NAYLOR, chief dispatcher; TIDEWATER SOUTHERN turning from a trip to Colorado with Dora Monroe added another son to her family, P eter Engineer SEYMOUR HARPER and Clerk a wife. They will make their home in Royce, born December 7. Marcella NEVADA MICHELSON. Master Mechanic Engineer FRANK EDGERTON is at pres Oroville. says his brothers are so proud of him BILL PARRY took in the East-West ent hospitalized, and we are all wish Operator and Mrs. RAY BECKLEY ing him a rapid recovery. they've forgotten all their dreams for game. Operator MARGARET THOMPSON a babysitter. spent the Christmas holidays in Illinois Received a call from Retired Con had an enjoyable (?) vacation staying Painter BILL NICHOLS had a very and Mrs. Gordon Gardner and daugh ductor JOE LEMONS, and was glad to home to care for her son who had the serious ulcer operation, but is now ter, wife and daughter of Crane Oper hear that he is in fme shape . mumps, and husband, Engineer BILL doing nicely. Best wishes for a speedy ator GORDON GARDNER, left for Provo THOMPSON, who was a victim of pneu Santa was mighty good to Agent ART recovery, Bill. during January to visit relatives. monia. TIBBETTS, Escalon, who is now enjoy Painter HAROLD MEYERS is the proud Conductor CLYDE FISHER and wife ing a new television set. New arrival this month was a girl owner of a new home and started out spent Christmas in Keddie with their for Carman B. COGGINS and his wife, Accompanying a local Scout troop the New Year right by moving in dur daughter, Mrs. Buddy Dellinger, and Peggy. on an overnight camping trip to Pine ing the first week of 1954. family. crest was OSCAR CORREA, chief clerk. HANS EVERS , car foreman, just re Mrs. PETE HANLEY, wife of our agent, CHICAGO A good time was enjoyed by all, de turned from vacation. Said most of the and the children spent Christmas in Don Banks spite the lack of snow. time was spent at home watching TV. San Jose. Son, Robert, has joined the "Christmas Party Big Success; Ends We are sorry to learn that compli Speaking of TV, we sure have a lot U. S. Navy and is taking boot training with Television raffle." We regret that cations have arisen which may prevent of carmen running around with square at San Diego. all WP employees couldn't take part MILEPOSTS 26 FEBRUARY, 1954 27 in this spectacular event thought up days. Gave her lots of time to fix up WADE and W. S. QUARRY, and Carmen's by our own DELORES CHROZY. Three their new home in Libertyville. Helper A . SANDERS. books of chances were sold at five cents High of 48 degrees today (early Carman J. A. GARFIELD has returned a chance. Everyone, including JOHN January). Forecasters predict it won't to work after an auto accident in which REIGEL, anxiously participated. Lucky be long before we'l! be enjoying Cali he suffered a broken hand. winner was FRED SWEENEY. The make fornia weather. Californians better Locomotive Carpenter J. L. ELLIS of the set is unknown; size of screen make their reservations early; our re has returned to work after being off about one inch. In case you haven't sorts will be booked solidly by Flori about two months because of illness. guessed, it was only a toy, but the raffle dans. Trainmaster's Clerk HELEN R. SMALL did wonders for our Employee's Fund, On behalf of "I cannot tell a lie" spent the Christmas holidays with her and a good laugh was had by all! George and Honest Abe, we wish to brother at Long Beach and with a Bossman and Mrs. ART LUND weren't take this opportunity to wish you all nephew at Lake Hughes, and just prior with us for the party, sorry to say, for a happy Valentine's Day. they were headed for California to to the holidays Frankie Blalock of San Francisco was a guest in her home. soak up some sunny stuff, of which that OROVILLE state prides itself. Understand they The carmen held their annual Helen Small had a royal sendoff by MARSHALL BOYD, Christmas party at the Monday Club LARRY W AIDELL (Port of San Fran Night Roundhouse Foreman FRANK with about 85 in attendance. Master cisco), GEORGE WENIG, JIM WARREN, COLEMAN has transferred to Sacra Mechanic and Mrs. L . M. MORRIS at and BILL MCGRATH. Imagine the mento as machine-shop foreman and tended. Yard Clerk S. E. MCVEAN and JOE MAY is new night foreman here. Lunds are still shaking rice out of their wife were pleasantly surprised by a "If he's a railroad man, marry him. That'll take clothes. Retired Telegrapher L. L. WINTERS visit from Mrs. McVean's father, care of our transportation prOblem." RITA and BILL MCGRATH just moved recently spent some time in the Oro Charles L. Newkirk of Grand Rapids. ville-Curran Hospital for surgery, is I into their new home. which Bill con 'I Since this is Scout month, we find Claire and RAY GREVE saw to it that tended was almost burglar-proof. getting along fine and able to do his that Carman C. E. HEINEMAN is Scout daughter Carol's sibling need not be Their youngest wildcat, 2, proceeded yard work. master of a troop of 12 boys. They re born to an apartment-occupying family to cal! for a demonstration by locking J. M. MCCRACKEN, former conductor, cently spent a day hiking to Table Top when they recently took title to their them out during one of our rare cold passed away at his Richmond home Mountain. They have also been work Paramus manse and moved in. We waves. After 45 minutes in subzero On December 12, which news we were ing on window displays for Scout hope to have the "sibling's" name for temperatures, Bill managed to remove sorry to learn. Week. Carman GEORGE C. SPENCER the next edition. the glass from the bathroom window Engineer AL VRISMO and his wife are works with a group of Sea Scouts and The Sartorial revolution which has and got inside. His postmortem re the proud grandparents of a boy born is First Mate. No doubt many other affected men's styles recently hit our marks are a bit salty. to the wife of their son, Brakeman employees are active in this work of force with great impact after the recent The Chicago office takes its hat off JOHN VRISMO. A granddaughter was which we did not learn. holidays. Among some of the sights to to the clever teletype artist that sent born On Christmas Day to the daugh Retired Conductor "BABE" LAPOINT be seen were, and are, a bright red us the picture Christmas card and your ter, Mrs. Richard Wright, of Brake is visiting friends in Oroville from his corduroy waistcoat, a similar garment equally clever poet for his interpre man and Mrs. BEN BEARD. home in Winnemucca. in a bright yellow check, a pink broad tation of "'Twas the Night After Ruth H. McSweeney, widow of cloth tab collar shirt with a black knit Christmas." We've had numerous re Trainmaster MCSWEENEY, was married NEW YORK CITY tie combination. If the trend continues, quests for both, but we could only on December 11 at Reno to Albert J. Alan Hudson perhaps we can look for a return to oblige with the poem-the picture Smith of Quincy. perukes! But we sure are colorful! The Annual Dinner of the Traffic stopped us for lack of an artist. Since the retirement of Carman JOE Club of New York is being held at the GLADYS HESSION's patience paid off. WEST, STANLEY KISTER is now second Commodore Hotel On February 18, and 'F r amp,' "Has the doctor any old pants he cook on the derrick. could let 111,6 hav e?.JJ She still had a week's vacation coming, we look forward to the attendance of Lady : f<'}.,TO, they wouZdn/t fit you. }) so she put it to good use over the holi- Vacationers are Carmen MONTY Messrs. WHITMAN, ROPER, and BOYD. T1-amp: (('Are you 8ure?:) Lady: (r Q11,i te 811,1"(: . Frn the doctor/' 28 ~ILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1954 29 SACRAMENTO Very best birthday wishes to RICH SACRAMENTO NORTHERN the WP employees and family blood. ARD C. FINLEY, demurrage clerk; DAVID FREIGHT STATION Milton Ziehn bank. This was the second call made ' W. LEE, interchange clerk; JOSEPH Nancy De Riso On the evening of December 23, R. B. dur ing the year. BETTENCOURT, assistant cashier; and "BUSTER" WILLIAMS, conductor, suf The old flu bug hit a number of our Naval Lt. L. M. Nervig is home visit R. N. WITHROW, chief clerk. ing his parents, Accountant and Mrs. fered a heart attack a nd passed away folks recently. Among them were L. O. NERVIG. WENDOVER at his home. Buster was one of the CHARLES REID, JULIUS FRICK, LAVO N most popular and well-liked trainmen ROBINSON, GEORGIA CHINDAHL, and Welcome to BARBARA L. SHEFFIELD, Esther Witt on the SN and a hard-working em WILBURTA DOYLE. who previously worked in the purchas Wendover Girl Scouts, Lone Troop ing department in San Francisco and ployee. One of the largest funerals No.1, sold cookies just before the holi in Sacramento testified to his many SAN FRANCISCO is now working with us on vacation day season, to help finance their trip Rita Connolly. William Dutcher, MolIy Fagan, relief. Also RIcco J. CERVETTI, train friends. H e entered our service in 1941 Lawrence Gerring, Howard Jaeger, Gwen to camp during the summer months. as a street-car operator after attending Monds, Maurice Notter, Mary Nichols, Carl desk clerk, formerly of San Francisco. The girls also had a dinner party and Rath, Bill Royal, Dudley Thickens, Frank JACK THRONE, husband of Stenogra Sacramento city schools. Tufa. dance just before Christmas, ex R. T. KEARNEY entered Sutter Hospi GORDON KNAPP, passenger traffic pher-Clerk VIRGINIA "PEPPER" THRONE, changed gifts and had a jolly good time, is h aving excellent luck duck hunting tal during the holidays and the road representative, h as been appointed so reports Shirley Ann, daughter of back to the oHice will be delayed by secretary for the Northern California Switchman and Telegrapher DAN and a detour at home for a convalescent Passenger Association for 1954. Con SHIR LE Y LEE. period. At least, boss, you got out of gratulations, Gordon, we know you'll Everyone is looking forward to the the family Christmas shopping! do a real fine job. assignment of vacations for 1954. Those JIM KELLY, retired brakeman, is at HAR RY PERRINE, chief clerk, left on on vacation at the close of 1953 were Weimar Sanatorium for observation. January 20 with his wife for a two Brakemen R. L. H ANSEN, H. J. LARSEN Former President HARRY MITCHELL, week vacation trip to Honolulu. and J. T. McLAUGHLIN , and Conductors n ow retired, paid us a welcome visit in Friends who were down to see them C. F. MALSTROM and T. M . JOHNSON. his capacity as trustee under the new off had quite some difficulty finding They all claimed it was an ideal way reorganization. It seems such a short him, as Harry was all but buried to spend the holidays. time ago that h e was saying to this amongst a huge assortment of cases Retired Conductor and Mrs. TOM correspondent: "Take a letter to ... " Karen Ann, 7, and Lynn Louise, 6, daughters of Fox journeyed from Biloxi, Mississippi, Car Desk Clerk and Mrs. William Gladney of Sac He is occupying office space at 526 ramento. to Pasadena to see the Rose Parade and Mission Street. Rose Bowl game over New Year's this year, bagging his limit; not only Former Telegrapher LOUIS F. ELLIS, SACRAMENTO STORE the very small but delicious Teal, but Irene Burton now located in Buffalo, New York, said the larger Mallard and Sprig. Lucky EDWARD HAWKINS, and his wife, to say hello to all his acquaintances. also to have married a gal who really Julia, are making a trip to Chicago knows game cookery. BILLIE WOOD, former yardmaster at where Ed will attend a reunion (this CHARLES F. BENINGHOFF is enjoying Wendover, now working in Oakland, should be good) with the boys w ho a wonderful vacation in and around was in Salt Lake for Chr istmas to see were with him aboard ship during Los Angeles. his 98-year-old mother. It was good World War II. They will then proceed V ery disappointed was JOSEPH CON to see and visit with him again. to Columbia, Tennessee, to visit friends LEY, claim clerk, after driving to Parks We w ish to take this opportunity to and will end their trip in New Orleans Air Force Base to visit with his brother, thank MARY FITZGERALD, a waitress in for a visit with their daughter before Staff Sergeant Del Conley, whom he the local "beanery" for the wonderful returning home. hadn't seen in seven years, only to find dinner she cooked and served to the While talking with EDNA SPRATT, our I that Del had been confined to the base railroad employees who were on the I nurse, we learned there were approxi and was only able to visit for a few job and away from home on Christmas. I mately 70 employees from Twenty minutes. A million thanks, Mary I "Can't you forget your work when you come home fourth Street who donated blood for at night?" 30 MI LEPOST S FEBR UA RY, 1954 31 It's a spiteful world. Ask PAUL HARRIS, traffic representative. For many, many years Paul held on to his old faithful '36 Chevrolet, babied it, loved it, and treated it like an only child. But time marches on and Paul, a modern sort of fellow, finally parted with his cherished old carriage in lieu of a shiny '50 Buick. He felt badly in the thought that he would never see the old car again which, he understood, wou:d soon be on some dealer's junk pile, but fate plays many a trick. Paul will have an opportunity to see the old Chev again, taking a leading part in Western P~cific'~ fine telegraph service is due, in part, to these members of the department: Carl Rath, , John Wayne's newest movie featuring manager·wne ~hlef; Georg~ Gordon, clerk; Edmund V. Kowski and Gracie W. Gaynor, T&T operators; M (s. Anne Crowder, chief clerk, medical depart San Francisco in the 1930's! Don Baerd, ponter mechamc and T&T operator, and Bill Manning, T&T operator, who handles the leased ment, was honored at a coffee and cake party New wire service. Year's Eve day, celebrating her 30th anniversary A. P. MURPHY, agent, San Francisco, with WP. Other members of the department are Mrs. Kathleen Murphy, secretary. Dr. Glenn F. was one of the winning respondents to Cushman, and Irene Hansen, stena-clerk, standing correctly anSwer a quiz question in the left to right. RAILROAD SIGNALMEN ELECT NEW OFFICERS November 23 issue of Railway Age carrying an assortment of photographic having to do with loading cars in ac equipment, some of which were as big, cordance with car service rules, in At a regular monthly meeting, held Local 179 is the largest B.R.S. of A. if not bigger, than this little fellow. volving nO empty mileage and return December 11 at the Dante Club in local On the West Coast, with a total The Islands are full of color, Harry, of the cars to the owner's rails after Sacramento, R. W. H eard, signal in membership of 450. Cy Hodges is especially the Wahines! release at destination. spector, and B. A. Robarge, signalman, general chairman of the Lodge which ROSALIE ENKE, formerly secretary at were elected local chairman and chief includes the entire Western Pacific Elko, is now secretary to F. A. TEGELER, signalman for Local Lodge 179, (WP System and the Shasta, Sacramento and we welcome her to our office. and SP), Brotherhood of Railroad Sig and Salt Lake divisions of the Southern It w asn't definitely on his Christmas nalmen of America. Pacific. list, but the nicest present received at the home of FRED BRANDES, traffic Members shown in the photo, taken by Maurice Notter, signal department, are, left to right, front row: Dave Thom~on, W. K. Dakan, E. L. W all, R. B. Russell, E. M. Reynolds and Cy Hodges. Back row: representative, was an eight -pound L. D. McChntock, Bert Stewart, Harry Simon, R. W. Heard, Guy Davis (SP), Barney Robarge, W. T. Gangler (SP), o. C. Lewis, R. B. Kunde. A. H. Schmitt, T. O. Cox (SP), Pat Caulfield, W. J. Walher, baby daughter, Rita Lee, who arrived and P. L. Josserand. at 1: 00 p. m. December 25. Fred and his wife, Anne, have one son, Mark, 5. The general agent's office presented JUNE NORGARD with a train case as a going-away present when she left on December 31 to return to her "home town," Portland, Oregon. DEAN DORSEY reports he is practi cally recovered from the 2: 00 a. m . feeding. Mother and daughter are Kristine Anne Ingle, taken on her six months' anni doing nicely and we are happy that versary, December 15, with mother Nancy. a former employee. Proud father Gordon Ingle, chief clerk, Dean is on the road to recovery! tax department, is the unseen man behind the lens. 32 MILEPOSTS REPAIR TRACK NO. 2 CREDIT UNION DECLARES SPORTS LEADS EAST BAY BOWL FOUR PER CENT DIVIDEND A t the end of the first half, after four At its first annual meeting, held in t('en weeks and 42 games in competi the Sacramento passenger station on WP BOWLING TOURNAMENT tion, Repair Track No.2 is out in the January 5, the WP Sacramento Em The second annual WP Handicap will be followed by a "sweepstakes lead with 29 wins and 13 losses. Freight ployees Federal Credit Union declared Bowling Tournament, fo r men, will event." Traffic and Hot Boxes are fighting it a 4 per cent dividend on shares on de be held at the Alhambra Bowl in A small dinner dance for the bowlers out for second place, closely followed posit as of December 31, 1953. Sacramento at 3 p. m. on Saturday, and their guests will follow the tourna by Repair Track No.1 and the Switch Shareholders have the option of March 20. ment, and other employees who may men. either withdrawing this dividend or It is hoped to have teams entered wish to attend the tournament and Team standings and the ten high having it credited to their account, and dance are cordially invited. from Salt Lake City, Elko, Oroville, individual averages are: are requested to bring or mail their Entry fees are $3.00 per man, which Sacramento, Stockton, Oakland, and HIGH HIGH pass books to Secretary-Treasurer should be sent to Frank Rauwolf, San WON LOST AVGE. GAME SERIES San Francisco, and teams from other F. R. O'Leary, 1025 Nineteenth Street, Francisco, not later than March 1. Repair Track #2 ... 29 13 748 868 2469 for recording. localities who may be interested in Further detailed information may be Freight Traffic ...... 25 17 691 822 2249 Hot Boxes ... _ ...... 24 18 712 839 2298 Elected to the Board of Directors at entering the tournament are welcome obtained from Bill Smales, Elko; H. A. to do so. Repair Track #1 ... 22 20. 707 781 2256 the same meeting for a two-year term O'Rullian, Sacramento Shops; Tommy Switchmen. . ... 20 22 703 841 2309 of office were Frank James, F. R. Teams will compete for cash prizes Zephyr Yard ... __ 17Y, 24Y, 665 781 2229 Kyle, Oakland; and Spen Lewis, San O'Leary, Elaine Schmidt, E. L. Tomlin as well as trophies, and the team event Francisco. Passenger Traffic __ 16 26 700 791 2222 Freight Agents. 14Y, 27Y, 665 748 2190 son and W. H. Warrell. Directors * elected for a one-year term of office HIGH HIGH were J. A. Anderson, C. C. Bennett, OROVILLE TEAM OUT IN FRONT GAMES AVERAGE GAME SERI ES W. A. Blue, A. E. de la Llata, O. C. Western Pacific bowlers remained on of 217 was rolled by Clayton Heineman. J. Prise ...... 42 171 224 633 R. Gaddi .... 18 168 204 540 Lewis and C. G. Mintle. top in the Sportsman's League at the Team results were: H. Furtney .... 42 165 219 549 Appointed by the Board as Offi Paradise Playdium in Oroville, accord T. Kyle ...... 42 164 212 Bob Shepard.. 172 204 158 534 553 cers were J . A. Anderson, president; ing to latest reports January 15, hold G. Dietz ._._ .... 30 159 193 521 Frank Rogers . 163 147 143 453 Edmunds ... 36 E. L. Tomlinson, vice president; F. R. ing a 7% game win and one-half game c. 158 202 542 Clayton Heineman 170 121 217 508 S. Glatt ...... 30 157 202 516 O'Leary, secretary - treasurer; and loss record. (American Bowling Con F. Rauwolf_ Richard Pattison .. 147 164 135 446 .... 30 157 221 538 Elaine Schmidt, clerk. gress rules allow one-half point for H. Fly... 27 157 205 534 each team howling a tie game.) Charles Kennady .. 164 180 139 483 M. Pierner .... 42 152 197 536 Also appointed were a Credit Com Bob Shepard had a 534 high series ------mittee, staffed by Irene E. Burton, E. E. for that night, and high sing'e game TOTAL . 816 816 792 2424 Evers (two years), and June Bellew STOCKTON HOLDS and C. W. Fosha (one year); a Super ANNUAL MEETING visory Committee consisting of A. E. Fippen and M. E. Lindley (two years) The old fellow and his dog stopped in at the local mister?" said the bartender. "You'll have to do The Stockton WP Credit Union held pub one night for a short one. "How about a drink better than that." its annual membership meeting at the and E. E. Ebbert (one year). An Edu for me and my dog, here?" he said to the bartender. Once again the old fellow turned to the dog and cational Committee will be appointed " He's a talkin' dog, you know." asked: "What's the name of the greatest baseball passenger depot on January 21 to elect " Let's hear him talk," replied the bartender, player in the world?" officers for the coming year and other at the next Board of Directors' meeting. "and I'll buy you both a drink." The dog quickly sat up and barked: "Ruth, Ruth." business. Results were not obtainable Since the time the Union was first The old fellow turned to his dog and asked, "What's that part on top of a house?" With that the bartender threw both the dog and at the time MILEPOSTS went to press formed about ten months ago, the the old man out the door. As the old fellow was The dog sat up on his hind legs and said: "Roof, picking himself up off the curb, the dog walked over and will be announced in the March number of shareholders ($5 per share) roof!" to him and said: "Gee, I'm sorry, I guess I should issue. has reached more than 300. "You don't call that a talkin' dog, do you have said DiMaggio!" 34 MILEPOSTS FEBRUARY, 1954 3S