Last Runs

Spring 2003
Volume 110 - No. 1

Last Runs

Family helps Coulter celebrate last run

Family members toss confetti as B.G. Coulter climbs down off the engine after safely completing his last run.

After 41 and a half years of injury-free service, Brother Bill G. Coulter of BLE Division 846 (Salt Lake City) made his last run on December 21, 2002 between Salt Lake City and Wendover, Nev.

Brother Coulter began his career as a fireman for the Southern Pacific in Roseville, Calif. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer on August 15, 1969 by the Western Pacific Railroad and joined the BLE in the same year. In 1972, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he lived and worked until his retirement.

Coulter and his wife of 40 years, Karen, sold their house in Salt Lake City after his retirement and are currently travelling the country in their RV. They plan to travel and see as much of the country as they can, while taking in baseball games along the way.

"You never know when we might just show up in your town just to see what it looks like," said Brother Coulter.

The couple has two children and five grandchildren. Brother Coulter is the founder of the Utah ATV Association, which has sponsored an ATV ride from Salt Lake City to Wendover, Nev. to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the past 18 years. He and Karen belong to all the rock and mineral clubs in the Salt Lake City area and have discovered the remains of three dinosaurs while digging.

The Coulters can be reached (even while travelling) at: 254 Griffin Road, Helena, Mont. 59602.

Bottom: Photo caption: Brother Coulter and his wife, Karen (center), celebrate retirement with (from left) grandson Bart, son Tim, daughter-in-law Kerry, grandson Chad, granddaughter Chantay and son Mike. Brother Coulter's conductor, Larry Stauffer, is present but not pictured.

Brownlee retires after 34 years

Brother Lyle D. Brownlee of BLE Division 6 (Boone, Iowa) made his last run on May 31, 2002.

Brother Brownlee began his railroad career in September 1968 as a brakeman for the Chicago Great Western Railroad in Des Moines, Iowa. He went firing for the Chicago & NorthWestern on June 6, 1969, and was promoted to locomotive engineer in October 1969. He joined the BLE on December 1, 1970.

Brother Brownlee has two children, Mike and Sandi, and four grandchildren. His son Mike works as a firefighter and EMT for the city of Largo, Fla., and has one daughter. Daughter Sandi lives in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and works for HyVee. She has three daughters. Brother Brownlee plans to spend time with all of them during his retirement.

Brother Brownlee lives at: 111 Skyline Dr., Montezuma, Iowa 50171.

Jazz guitarist, locomotive engineer Gratton retires

Brother Richard T. Gratton on his last run, Train 2181 from New York to Washington, D.C. on an Amtrak high-speed trainset.

Brother Richard T. Gratton of BLE Division 11 (New York) made his last run on January 18, 2003 aboard an Amtrak train between New York and Washington, D.C.

He began his railroad career as a fireman with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1965. He was promoted to locomotive engineer by Penn Central in July 1970. Due to mergers, he worked continuously in engine service for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Conrail and, finally, Amtrak.

Gratton joined the BLE on February 1, 1968 and served as the last local chairman for Division 501 before his transfer to Division 11.

Gratton's father, Charles, was also a locomotive engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Penn Central.

Among Brother Gratton's fondest memories is passing his father in Bristol, Pa., where Charles was working a local freight assignment, and getting a phone call after the trip's completion about "smoking brake shoes during slow downs or concerns about excessive speeds."

Along with his career as an engineer, Gratton has long been a performing jazz guitarist in the New York and Philadelphia areas. He even wrote a song about his father, titled "Diamonds On My Windshield," and recorded an album in 2000. He has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians since June 1964.

Brother Gratton served in the U.S. Navy alongside another BLE member who also retired recently, Rodger Haggett. The two are longtime friends and served aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid as machinist's mates in 1961. Brother Haggett also plays guitar and the two visit each other occasionally.

He and his wife, Joan, were married in 1984. He has five children, Dorothy, Dawn, Cindy, Rick and John, and two grandchildren.

Brother Gratton can be contacted by writing at: P.O. Box 402, Allentown, N.J. 08501, or you can catch one of his nightclub performances.

Haggett retires 16 days before good friend Gratton

Brother Rodger W. Haggett prior to his last run at the Massena Terminal in New York.

Rodger W. Haggett of BLE Division 227 (Massena, N.Y.) made his last run on Jan. 3, 2002, 16 days before the last run of his friend and fellow guitarist, Richard T. Gratton of BLE Division 11 (New York, N.Y.).

Haggett and Gratton met while serving on the U.S.S. Intrepid in 1961.

Brother Haggett, whose father was a conductor on the New York Central for 31 years, began his railroad career in 1965 as a fireman on the New York Central in Massena. He was promoted to locomotive engineer by the Penn Central in July 1972 and joined the BLE on September 1, 1978. He held the office of president of Division 277 from 1996 to 2002.

Brother Haggett and his wife of 30 years, April, have four children, Lisa, Jason, Randall and Damon, and one grandchild. In his free time, he enjoys guns and guitars. He occasionally visits with fellow guitarist, Brother Gratton.

The Haggetts live at: 193 Hadley Rd. Potsdam, N.Y. 13676.

Brother Jerry Graben retires after many years of service to BLE

Attending Brother Graben's last run send off were, from left: Paul Wingo, BLE International Vice-President; Ron Robert, Division 899 Local Chairman; Kenny Chappele, Conductor; Gene Carroll, Conductor; Brother Graben; Tony Hewell, Division 899; Chip Holt, Engineer; and E.E. Davis, Division 899. After working 40 years for the Southern and Norfolk Southern, Brother Graben's last locomotive was from the Kansas City Southern.

Long-time Local Chairman J.W. "Jerry" Graben of BLE Division 899 (Birmingham, Ala.) made his last run on February 1 from Atlanta to Birmingham, while a dozen friends and co-workers gathered to meet his train. A party was also held for friends and family by his wife, Debbie.

Brother Graben was the senior local chairman of the NS-Southern Lines General Committee. He served as Division 899's local chairman from 1974-1998 and was a delegate to the BLE International Conventions in 1976, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. Brother Graben served the BLE in numerous other ways, including serving as SMA Scholarship Committee chairman. He first joined the BLE on February 1, 1971.

During his retirement, Brother Graben plans to "catch up on a lot of honey-dos around the house and then get down to the serious business of golf and being a grandfather."

The Grabens live at: 300 Katherine Street, Leeds, Ala. 35094.

'Red Dog' Downes honored by Division 484 upon retirement

E.T. "Red Dog" Downes receives a 34-year BLE service and membership award from Division Secretary-Treasurer E.M. Masten Jr., who presented the plaque on behalf of members of Division 484.

Edward T. "Red Dog" Downes Sr. of BLE Division 484 (Delmar, Del.) made his last run on December 30, 2002 for Norfolk Southern.

Brother Downes went into engine service 34 years ago with the Pennsylvania Railroad. He joined the BLE on October 13, 1968. Through mergers and acquisitions he worked for Penn Central, Conrail and NS. For a period of time, Brother Downes was also an Assistant Superintendent for Amtrak.

He held the position of local chairman for several years and was an active member of his division until his retirement.

Downes has now settled down on his farm in lower Delaware. He and his wife, Peggy, are relaxing and enjoying time with their many grandchildren.

The members of Brother Downes' division wish him and Peggy a long and enjoyable retirement, according to Division 484 Secretary-Treasurer Evertte M. Masten Jr.

Friends may get in touch with the Downes family at: 5153 Downes Dr., Laurel, Del. 19956.

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