Last Runs

Friends, family, coworkers help Herman celebrate retirement

Brother R.E. Herman made his last run on May 30, 2001 as a training specialist of locomotive engineers for New Jersey Transit (NJT).

On June 22, 2001, a retirement party was held for Herman in Newark, N.J. In attendance were his wife, two sons, his father from Florida and 44 of his co-workers, including former students, locomotive engineers, conductors and supervisors. NJT presented Herman with a plaque for his 32 1/2 years of service.

He began his railroad career in 1968 as a ticket agent/operator for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. He went firing for the CNJ on Nov. 14, 1969 and was promoted to engineer in 1975. He joined BLE Division 157 on Nov. 1, 1970 and transferred to Division 53 when he joined NJT.

Brother Herman's father and younger brother both have worked on various railroads.

Herman and his wife Virginia have two sons, Robert and Thomas. Both sons are teachers and were recipients of BLE/GIA scholarships while attending the College of New Jersey.

He is thankful for the many improvements that the BLE has gained for locomotive engineers over the years.

"To be a locomotive engineer is not only a responsible profession but a demanding one, both physically and mentally," said Herman. "It takes a special type of person to operate trains mile after mile, as speeds are getting higher. I have seen many improvements over the last 32 years. Engineers went from a seven day work week to a five day work week. Lay-over facilities have gotten much better and most of all pay has been greatly increased. Some of these changes were due to the FRA, but most of the quality of life improvements have been a direct result of the BLE and its hard working members."

During his retirement, Brother Herman plans to spend time with his wife "in a warm climate." He also plans to bring his private pilot's license up to date and ride his bike more often.

The Hermans live at: 760 Harmony Road, Middletown, N.J. 07748.

Photo caption: Bob Herman (left) celebrates his recent retirement from New Jersey Transit with his brother Kenneth P. Herman (center), and his father, Eugene J. Herman (right), who retired from Conrail in 1982.

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Lynch calls it quits after 37 years with ACL, SCL, CSX

BLE Division 779 (Manchester, Ga.) member William R. Lynch made his last run for CSX on June 29, 2001.

Lynch began his railroad career in 1964 as an assistant signalman on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL).

In 1970, he went firing with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and was promoted to locomotive engineer a year later. He joined BLE Division 779 in 1979.

Brother Lynch enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and reading and hopes to continue these activities during his retirement.

"I have had a very good relationship with both the BLE and the railroad throughout my career," said Lynch.

Lynch lives at: RT 1 Box 112, Shiloh, Ga. 31826.

Hodge retires after 45-year career

On December 14, 2000, Brother James R. Hodge of BLE Division 383 (Needles, Calif.) made his last run on the Barstow Yard job.

Hodge, a BLE member since 1975, began his railroad career as a fireman for the Santa Fe Railway in 1956 and earned his promotion to locomotive engineer in 1964.

During his career, he has received a BLE 25-year membership pin and a certificate from BNSF for reporting a broken wheel on his train in 1998.

Brother Hodge and his wife, Ginna, were married several months after his graduation from Barstow High School in 1956. The couple has two children, Sherry and Rick, and six grandchildren.

During his retirement, Brother Hodge plans to travel, play golf and spend time with his grandchildren. He is also learning how to play the banjo. In addition to playing golf, he also makes golf clubs.

"I very much appreciate the representation of the BLE," said Brother Hodge. "I should have joined sooner!"

The Hodges live at: P.O. Box 2398, 27968 Scenic Ct., Helendale, CA 92342.

Photo caption: Brother Hodge retired on Dec. 14 after a 45-year career.

Holland receives plaque at retirement celebration

Former BLE Division 727 (Sterling, Colo.) Local Chairman Bill G. Holland made his last run on February 19, 2001.

His family held a party to celebrate his retirement at the depot and Brother Holland was presented with a brass train by BNSF-MRL General Chairman Merle W. Geiger.

Holland began his railroad career in April 1956 as a carpenter helper on the Denver, Rio Grande & Western. He was promoted to engineer in 1957 and became a BLE member in 1970. He served as local chairman from 1982-1986.

"Bill is solely responsible for securing the charter for BLE Division 727," said BLE Division 727 Secretary-Treasurer J.J. Jerman. "They were three days from losing it when Bill spearheaded the effort to reorganize. He re-energized the membership while he was local chairman."

To celebrate his retirement, Holland and his wife, Joyce, plan to take a trip to Hawaii. He also "plans to keep his wife busy" while traveling, golfing, fishing and gardening during retirement.

The Hollands live at: P.O. Box 336, Fleming, Colo. 80728.

Photo caption: From left: Holland and General Chairman Geiger.

Tingle trained many new engineers

Brother Jerry R. Tingle of BLE Division 348 (Elkhart, Ind.) made his last run as a locomotive engineer for Norfolk Southern on Dec. 15, 2000, from Elkhart to Chicago.

Brother Tingle went firing on May 7, 1968, on the Penn Central out of Elkhart. Ten years later, on May 7, 1978, he was promoted to locomotive engineer by Conrail. Since June 1, 1999, he has worked for Norfolk Southern.

He was initiated into BLE Division 916 in 1974. During his time on the railroad, he has won safety awards and has served as a training instructor.

Brother Tingle and his wife Ginnell were married on Feb. 24, 1961. The couple has five children and 10 grandchildren. During his retirement years, Brother Tingle plans to spend a majority of his time with his grandchildren fishing, traveling, woodworking and gardening.

The Tingles live at: 555195 Ash Road, Osceola, Ind. 46561.

Photo caption: From left: Student S. Hunt at the controls, under the watchful eye of Brother J.R. Tingle, serving as a locomotive engineer training instructor.

Career began as brakeman for New Haven, New York & Hartford

On February 28, 2001, BLE Division 867 (Waterbury, Conn.) member Robert M. Robertson made his last run as an engineer on the Conrail Shared Assets Area.

Robertson began his railroad career in 1965 as a brakeman for the New Haven, New York & Hartford Railroad. He went firing for Conrail in January 1979 and was promoted to engineer in December of that year.

Robertson, a veteran of the Connecticut National Guard, joined BLE Division 867 in 1980 and later served as that Division's Local Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer.

Robertson and his wife Doreen were married in 1991. Robertson has two children, four step-children and six grandchildren. During his retirement, Brother Robertson plans to play golf and travel. He also enjoys auto racing.

The Robertsons live at: 12 Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06810.

Photo caption: From left: Jerome Mullin, district supervisor, Brother Robertson, and James Cronin, terminal train master, at the CSX Albany Division Cedar Hill Yard in North Haven, Conn.

Zinn looks forward to retirement

Brother Monte R. Zinn of BLE Division 130 (Kansas City) made his last run on May 27, 2001, from Wellington, Kan. to Kansas City.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Brother Zinn began his railroad career in 1952 as a crew caller on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.

He went firing for the ATSF in 1959 and was promoted to engineer in 1964. He also was an engineer on the CRI & P in 1966-1967 and 1970. He finished his career as an engineer on BNSF.

Brother Zinn and his wife of 41 years, Jan, have three children and five grandchildren. During his retirement, Brother Zinn plans to travel and continue his hobby of woodworking.

On his railroad career, Zinn says: "It has given us a better than average living and put three kids through school."

Brother Zinn and his wife live at: 9028 Dice Lane, Lenexa, Kan. 66215.

Photo caption: Brother Zinn is ready for retirement

Peachey retires after 39-years with CGW, CNW, Union Pacific

On March 1, 2001, Brother Gary Peachey of BLE Division 778 (Des Moines, Iowa) made his last run after a 39-year career.

Brother Peachey began railroading as a brakeman for the Chicago Great Western Railroad on August 2, 1962. Six years later, on April 16, 1968, he was promoted to locomotive engineer and joined the BLE.

In 1969, Brother Peachey was elected local chairman of Division 778. The number of members in the division nearly doubled during his three years as local chairman.

His 39-year career spanned three railroads due to mergers - the Chicago Great Western, the Chicago & Northwestern and Union Pacific. Brother Peachey worked various freight pools and ended his career in yard service. He was also able to train many student engineers.

Brother Peachey and his wife, Mary, live in Des Moines, where they raised three daughters and have four grandchildren. In addition to spending time with his family, Brother Peachey enjoys camping, hunting and fishing - and hopes to have more time for these activities during his retirement.

The Peacheys live at: 4201 SE 4th Court, Des Moines, IA 50315.

Back to Fall 2001 Journal

© 2001 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers