Railroaders' Nostalgia > Well Deserved Retirement

Heard just a few days ago that engineer Joe Theiss retired. I think he had a 1951 date but not sure. I know Joe had to be somewhere bear 80. One of the nicest gentlemen I ever had the privilege to work with.......and an unreal train handler. Congrats to Joe.

Railroad and location?

-E.O.

Amtrak, LA, worked to Santa Barbara several days a week on 785 and back on 768. Did the layover in Santa Barbara and then Goleta when it was built for many years.

That would be 64 years - wow. Not many left with those amount of years of service.

Posted from Android

RANK NAME ENTERED SERVICE DATE CURRENT ZONE PRIOR R.R. PRIOR RIGHTS ORIGINAL ZONE
1 THEIS, J. S. 07/31/51 12 SFS Y 12

Phantom_of_Cajon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RANK NAME ENTERED SERVICE DATE CURRENT
> ZONE PRIOR R.R. PRIOR RIGHTS ORIGINAL ZONE
> 1 THEIS, J. S. 07/31/51 12 SFS
> Y 12

In 51 you'd most likely still learn the ropes on a steam engine? An amazing career!

Worked with Joe as well as his fireman on Amtrak San Diegans in late seventies. Agree with above, a great guy. I really enjoyed my job, apparently he enjoyed his better ;-) Best wishes for a great retirement.
JB

whistlepig Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Heard just a few days ago that engineer Joe Theiss
> retired. I think he had a 1951 date but not sure.
> I know Joe had to be somewhere bear 80. One of
> the nicest gentlemen I ever had the privilege to
> work with.......and an unreal train handler.
> Congrats to Joe.


Good for Joe... I remember when Amtrak Zone 12 was established I was called off of the Coast Pool to be his pilot from LAUPT to Santa Barbara.

Hiball, congratulations on retirement, and with that much service time, my hero.

Posted from Android

DG .
Unknown, US

Wurli1938 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That would be 64 years - wow. Not many left with
> those amount of years of service.
>
> Posted from Android


If you love what you do, it can be hard to call it quits!

Rob

Here is a picture of Joe and his wife on his second to last trip.

---