Last Runs

Spring 2004
Volume 111 - No. 1

Last Runs

Ed Bain looks forward to retirement years

Ed Bain, right, with Division 206 President Rob LaCanne

Ed Bain of BLET Division 206 (Temple, Texas) made his last run for the BNSF on Jan. 7, 2004.

He began his railroad career in February of 1966 as a switchman on the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad in East St. Louis. At the time, Brother Bain worked with a clerk named Don M. Hahs and the two became friends.

He moved around a lot early in his career. He became a brakeman when he moved from St. Louis to Kansas City, then he went firing for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad in Kansas City. After working for the CB&Q as a fireman, he later earned promotion to locomotive engineer at the Norfolk & Western. In 1973, Brother Bain finally settled down. He hired out on the AT&SF in Temple, Texas, where he remained for the next 30 years. He joined the BLE in 1970, and served as president of Division 206 and in other division offices for many years. He was a delegate to the 2001 International Convention.

He and his wife, Shirley, have two sons and two grandsons, and are expecting another grandchild. During his retirement, Bain looks forward to spending time with his grandchildren, as well as fishing, golfing and woodworking.

Brother Bain reports that "he won't be travelling to Big Spring, Texas any time soon."

"Ed was an asset to the railroad industry and to the brotherhood," said BLET Special Representative Jim Bradford, a friend of Brother Bain. "He was always a gentleman, a professional and had a friendly smile and a positive attitude. He will be missed by his co-workers."

Brother Bain lives at: 2409 Robin Road, Temple, Texas 76501.

Homer Farr retires

Homer Farr of BLET Division 284 (Grafton, W. Va.) retired on Oct. 1, 2003.

He made his first paid trip as a fireman for the Baltimore & Ohio on June 30, 1957. When he hired out, he worked on both steam and diesel engines. He earned promotion to locomotive engineer in 1972 and joined the BLE on Oct. 1, 1962. He piloted the famous 614 from Parkersburg to Grafton in 1980, which was the last steam engine to travel over the Parkersburg branch.

During his retirement, Farr plans to work on his cattle farm, where he currently owns about 40 head of beef cattle. He also plans to travel in the Western U.S. He and his wife of 46 years, Dolly, have two sons and two grandchildren.

He lives at: RT 2, Walker, WVa. 26180.

Last Run holds many pleasant surprises for Brother Kintner

On Dec. 13, 2002, BLET Division 548 (Peru, Ind.) member M.E. Kintner was surprised to see his family in Norfolk Southern's Roanoke, Ind., yard, as he descended his locomotive for the final time after safely completing his Last Run. The family, including 11 of his 12 grandchildren, treated him to a limousine ride home for the hour-long trip. Upon arrival, Brother Kintner found another surprise - 128 friends and family waiting for him to help celebrate his retirement. Brother Kintner, 63, first joined the Brotherhood on July 1, 1968.

Notable celebrities were a regular on Brother Radford's trains

For 20 years before his last run on July 1, 2003, Brother Arthur Radford of BLET Division 373 (Trenton, N.J.) ran the Dinky, the one car, New Jersey Transit shuttle.

The 2.7 mile route runs 40 times back and forth each day between Princeton and Princeton Junction. During his time as engineer on the Dinky, Brother Radford's train has carried luminaries such as Nobel Prize winner John Nash and actors Brian Dennehy and Brooke Shields.

He began his railroad career as a fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1960. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer by the Penn Central Railroad in 1970. During his career, he also worked for Conrail. Since the 1980s, he has worked for New Jersey Transit running the Dinky.

His father, Thomas H. Radford, was a locomotive engineer for 33 years on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central and Conrail. His son, Paul J. Radford, is a conductor and his son-in-law, Robert M. Marusky, is an engineer.

Brother Radford and his wife, Genevieve, were married on May 4,1963. The couple has three children, Paul, Denise and Christopher; and two grandchildren, Paul and Samantha.

During his retirement, he plans to fish, travel and garden.

The Radfords live at: 3 Drew Lane, East Windsor, N.J. 08520.

"Happy retirement, LeRoy"

LeRoy L. Lucas of BLET Division 77 (Kansas City, Mo.) made his last run on Dec. 31, 2003, on Amtrak's California Zephyr.

On July 27, 1956, Brother Lucas followed in his father's footsteps and hired out as a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in Lincoln, Neb. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer and joined the BLE in 1964. His father, Louis E. Lucas, was also an engineer and member of Division 98.

During his time with the BLET, he held numerous elected positions. He served as division vice-president, president, and was the Local Chairman of Division 777 from 1988-1997. He served as Amtrak's Vice-General Chairman from 1988-1998 and as acting General Chairman from 1997-1998. Brother Lucas was twice a delegate to the International Division convention and worked at the Seventh Quinquennial Convention in Miami.

"The entire Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the over 47-year career in engine service of Brother LeRoy L. Lucas of Division 77 in Kansas City," said Amtrak Vice-General Chairman Crag A. McDowell. "Happy retirement, LeRoy."

Brother Lucas and his wife, Patricia, have five children, Brenda, Carol, Joanne, Cindy, Stephanie and Frank; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

During his retirement, he plans to travel and participate in sports. He enjoys football, baseball, hockey and golf.

"Railroading gets into your blood," he said. "It's given us a good life. It was a good quality of life for my family and myself and it pays well. Overall, the industry has always been a challenging and rewarding career."

He lives at: 15602 Copper Corral Dr., Plattsmouth, Neb. 68048.

Photo caption: LeRoy Lucas, hard at work in the cab and in the office.

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