Railroaders' Nostalgia > I can't believe that it has been 63 years.

63 years ago today I made my date as a fireman in Eugene Oregon on the Southern Pacific.

The only major change that I did not witness was diselization.


When I hired out there  were train order offices, first generation diesel locomotives, three brakemen and a conductor, engineers who had been "steam men" monthly watch inspections,no computers, first class trains,train indicators, wrist watches not allowed,radios only on engines and cabooses, no hand held radios, skillful and effective use of hand and lantern signals, manned helpers.
I wish that I had appreciated it all then as much as I do in retrospect!

Having turned 70 in June I am struck more and more with the classic “where did the time go” syndrome. And the acceleration of time passing just keeps throwing barbs in my direction. BUT…… as long as I’m still above ground I will keep laughing at fate. And I will keep posting images from this incredible library I’ve been so fortunate to have amassed… 👍

Posted from iPhone

Very well said, Scott!

wp1801 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 63 years ago today I made my date as a fireman in
> Eugene Oregon on the Southern Pacific.
>
> The only major change that I did not witness was
> diselization.
>
>
> When I hired out there  were train order offices,
> first generation diesel locomotives, three
> brakemen and a conductor, engineers who had been
> "steam men" monthly watch inspections,no
> computers, first class trains,train indicators,
> wrist watches not allowed,radios only on engines
> and cabooses, no hand held radios, skillful and
> effective use of hand and lantern signals, manned
> helpers.
> I wish that I had appreciated it all then as much
> as I do in retrospect!

wp1801 on duty in Corvallis Yard.  --June 11, 1993

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 Cheers on 23 years of retirement, Scott!

One of my great joys, Scott, was meeting you and getting to ride around with you and Gary before I made the decision to hire out on the mighty Willamette & Pacific. You two helped me appreicate those things you listed - hand signals and train handling, along with local dispatching (Bill Wilson and Dennis, in particular). The SP old head influence was strong then and made it a better railroad. 

Photo is of Scott on his last day railroading, September 24, 2002...and taking the seat with him (he had it made some years previously).



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/25 22:02 by roustabout.

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Thanks Dan and Lou.

Well, WP1801, it appears our time on the railroad matches each other fairly close.  I worked mainly on the Santa Fe and BNSF, hiring out in June 20th, 1962 and retiring in 2005.  So yes I remember those items you mentioned.  It has been a good life for me and trust it has been for you.  Hope it continues for both of us.

KskidinTx

Thank you for the kind words.

WP, I went to work for SCL about 10 years after you went to the SP. I fired for a lot of steam men, men from the former ACL and SAL. There were operators scattered about, we only had one operater controlled interlocking, Bever Street in Jacksonville. I used to know how to follow train orders, not just slow orders, but running orders, meet orders right of track orders. Ran a lot of GP7's &9's and assorted makes of switch engines. Knew SD 45's were the best engine built followed closely by SD 40s. Spilled enough fuel as a hostler to put the EPA into fits, tore up my share of equipment and got it covered up, would never happen now. Worked when employees were somewhat valued, not an expendable commodity, company officers would work with you not against you. It was a different environment when we went to work than what it is now. 
I enjoyed running an engine, but didn't like working for the railroad.

Sam

Sam: Thanks for your note. Sorry that you didn't like working for the RR. It had it's good and bad for me.

wp1801 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...When I hired out there were train order offices,
> first generation diesel locomotives, three
> brakemen and a conductor, engineers who had been
> "steam men" monthly watch inspections,no
> computers, first class trains,train indicators,
> wrist watches not allowed,radios only on engines
> and cabooses, no hand held radios, skillful and
> effective use of hand and lantern signals, manned
> helpers...

There also was a requirement that you have 20-20 vision to get hired.   8>(

mapboy

Yep! We all saw an end of an era...class lights, Mars lights, train orders, blades, search lights, cabooses, regular trains, dark territory, paper time slips, official railroad watches, rubber switches, and QUITS in the yard. What did I miss?
Oh...manned helpers.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/25 16:11 by HardYellow.

OH for early quits.....so rare now...

HardYellow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yep! We all saw an end of an era...class lights,
> Mars lights, train orders, blades, search lights,
> cabooses, regular trains, dark territory, paper
> time slips, official railroad watches, rubber
> switches, and QUITS in the yard. What did I miss?
> Oh...manned helpers.                                       The smell of coal smoke from a caboose stove.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/25 20:36 by wp1801.