Nostalgia & History > Jack Stewart

I have written about J T (Jack) Stewart before, cf: mdc 223:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1816491,1816491#msg-1816491

Also see: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,1825144,1825144#msg-1825144.

I recently was given Jack's collection of railroad books. In one of the books was this
description of Jack's early days on the Pacific Electric. Unfortunately,
Jack never finished writing this story. However, here is what he did leave me.

mdo



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/10 11:28 by mdo.

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Let's see, a former Asst. Superintendent from the CP in Vancouver gets hired by the SP/PE as ... a brakeman!

This is one of many horror stories where experience at one RR was not valued by another RR. The only track record that was valued was up-from-the-ranks-within-our-company. In those days the RRs were very closed clubs. You had to prove yourself within the company, the hard way, or you weren't worth anything.

I regret I never got a chance to meet Mr. Stewart. I do know that, in later years, his SP management colleagues appreciated and valued his Canadian RR experience and perspective. Even though the SP's hiring and promotion system didn't.

Best regards,

Rob L.

Will you continue the narrative?

I think he under-estimated Pacific Electric's freight operation ("There was a modicum of freight operation primarily perishables...). I believe the P.E., at one time, generated more traffic in the L.A. area than did the Santa Fe. Certainly more than the Union Pacific.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/03/10 17:48 by BCHellman.