Spring 2000
Volume 107 - No. 1

Last Runs

Thompson retires as IC's last steam locomotive engineer

An era ended on Nov. 2, 1999, when Robert Henry Thompson of BLE Division 23 made his last run on an industrial road switcher. Brother Thompson was one of the last engineers in the country to perform revenue freight service on a steam powered locomotive.

Thompson, whose father was a Chief Engineer of his division, had many other relatives employed by the railroad. He began his rail career in 1946 as a messenger for the IC in Memphis. He went firing on Feb. 18, 1948, and was promoted to engineer on Aug. 12, 1960. He joined the BLE on July 9, 1963.

Thompson was born on Dec. 29, 1929, and graduated from the University of Memphis in 1972 with a bachelors degree in music. He received a Masters of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1975. He also served two years in the United States Marine Corps.

He and his wife Mary were married on May 30, 1949. They have four children and seven grandchildren. Brother Thompson served as music director, pastor and Sunday school teacher in his church for many years. He plans to teach Sunday school, travel and play with his grandchildren in his retirement.

"I have always loved to operate a locomotive, loved the men I worked with and no one was ever injured on my engine," he said.

The Thompsons reside at: 5582 Fannin Avenue, Memphis, Tenn. 38115-2338.

Long-time General Chairman Jerry Kolpek retires

Former I & M Rail Link General Chairman Jerry Kolpek passed the gavel to his successor, Michael D. Priester, at the General Committee of Adjustment meeting in Minneapolis on June 2-4, 1999. Kolpek, a member of BLE Division 768 (Thief River Falls, Minn.), retired on July 1, 1999.

Kolpek began his railroad career in 1955 as a fireman on the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. He was promoted to engineer by the Milwaukee Road on Sept. 17, 1963, and joined BLE Division 117 (Mason City, Iowa) on Feb. 1, 1964.

In 1967, he became the Local Chairman of Division 117, a position he held for 19 years. In 1986, he became General Chairman of the Milwaukee Road GCofA, filling the position vacated by R.P. McLaughlin upon his election to International Vice-President. Kolpek was re-elected General Chairman in 1987.

After the Soo Line purchased the Milwaukee Road, the Soo Line and Milwaukee Road GCofAs were consolidated and Kolpek remained General Chairman.

Brother Kolpek served as Division 117 delegate to the 1986, 1991 and 1996 BLE International Conventions. He served on the by-laws committee at the 1996 convention.

"Many changes took place during my 13 years as General Chairman. There were fun times and not so fun times, but the ride was worth it," said Kolpek.

"During my time as General Chairman, my wife Jo and I met and became friends with some of the finest people on earth - BLE presidents, vice-presidents, BLE staff members, general chairmen, local chairmen, members, FELA attorneys and many carrier officers and employees."

Kolpek and Jo were married on June 27, 1981. He has two children and four step-children. He also has three granddaughters and two step-grandsons. He plans to spend his retirement fishing and golfing, living in Minnesota during the summer and in Arkansas during the winter.

The Kolpeks reside at: 3 Scotch Broom Trace, Bella Vista, Ark. 72715.

Honor Roll

Soper ran SP's Daylight during 58-year career

Prior to his death in the Fall of 1999, BLE Division 161 (San Francisco) member Harold Soper celebrated 58 years of BLE membership.

Brother Soper worked for Wells Fargo as an agent and hauled freight in horse drawn wagons from 1917-1918 before beginning work for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a fireman in July 1920.

On August 15, 1936, he was promoted to engineer and made his first trip on engine 2587, a 2-8-0 consolidation. Soper joined the BLE on March 20, 1941.

For his first 36 years of service on the SP, Soper ran and fired every class of steam engine, and for his 14 remaining years, he ran diesel engines.

Brother Soper is survived by his two sons, Gary and Steven, and one daughter, Aileen. He had six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Brother Harry Casey received his 50-year BLE membership pin in November 1999 from Larry Buchan, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 355 (Calgary). Casey became a member of BLE Division 355 on January 9, 1949.

As a young boy, Casey, 90, lived close to the railroad shops, and wanted to become an engineer. He began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a hostler helper and watchman for incoming engines in 1928. He went firing in 1930 and received his promotion to engineer in 1946.

He spent 15 years on the road on steam engines and the rest of the time on diesel engines. The last three years of his career were spent as an engineer on a diesel switcher in the Calgary yards. He made his last run on December 5, 1972 on a diesel switcher in the Calgary yards.

"I always found working on steam and diesel engines very interesting and rewarding," said Brother Casey. "I always gave credit to the BLE for improved working conditions and wages during my time as an engineer."

Casey's son, Kenneth, worked in the CPR shops from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. He also has two daughters, Carole and Colleen, and five grandchildren. His wife passed away in 1980.

Brother Casey has kept busy since his retirement, working around his home and garden. He also spends a great deal of time traveling between Calgary and Langley, British Columbia, and visits railroad museums and attends model railroad shows when he can.

Brother Casey resides at: 22121 18th Ave., Langley, B.C. V2Z 2G2, Canada.

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© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers