Fall/Winter 2004
Volume 111 - No. 3 & 4

Last Runs

J.J. Dahl honored

Brother John J. Dahl was presented with a clock at his retirement on September 7, 2004.

Brother John J. Dahl of BLET Division 369 (Minneapolis, Minn.) made his Last Run as a locomotive engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad at St. Paul, Minn., on September 7, 2004.

Brother Dahl began his career as a fireman for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad at Altoona, Wisc., on March 2, 1968.

He served as Secretary-Treasurer of BLE Division 369 and as Chairman of the Minnesota State Legislative Board for 24 years. He joined the Brotherhood of April 1, 1973.

"We all wish John good luck in his retirement," said Bruce Bogema, Secretary-Treasurer of BLET Division 369.

Dahl can be reached at: 11900 Crooked Lake Blvd., Coon Rapids, Minn., 55422. ·

Ferris to enjoy days off in retirement

From left: E.N. Ferris, III; the recently retired E.N. Ferris II; and his wife, Nancy.

Brother E.N. "Elmer" Ferris II, his wife, Nancy, and their son, E.N. "Nelson" Ferris, Ill., following Elmer's retirement from the Norfolk Southern Railroad on June 1, 2004.

Brother Ferris hired out with Norfolk & Western in Detroit on April 7, 1970 as a switchman. In 1972 he became a yardmaster and then entered engine service in 1974. On June 1, 1975, Brother Ferris first joined the BLE as a member of Division 831.

He transferred to West Virginia in 1980 and in 1994 he transferred to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he worked until he retired on June 1, 2004. Over the years, he transferred his BLE membership from Division 831 to Division 448. He transferred to Division 537 in 1995.

Early in his railroad career, he worked with the Great Northern Railroad from 1965 thru 1968. Before he began railroading, he was a Teamster with Arizona Local 299 from 1955 thru 1965.

Brother Ferris and his son Nelson are members of BLET Division 537 in Fort Wayne, Ind. The younger Ferris joined the BLE in 2000.

Old friends may contact Brother Ferris at: 2109 California Ave., Fort Wayne, Ind., 46805.

Hodges enjoyed career as an engineer

Brother Larry Hodges of BLET Division 6 (Boone, Iowa) made his last run on May 28, 2003 on an empty coal train between Clinton and Boone, Iowa.

Brother Hodges is a third generation railroad worker. His father and grandfather both worked for the Rock Island, and his brother, Kenny, is a locomotive engineer for Norfolk Southern. His son, Steve, is a maintenance of way worker.

Brother Hodges began his railroad career in 1962 as a brakeman for the Rock Island Railroad in Des Moines, Iowa. He went firing on December 20, 1969 for the Chicago & Northwestern. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer by the Chicago & Northwestern in March 1971.

He joined the BLE on September 1, 1975. From 1975-1980, he served as guide for Division 873.

He and his wife, Diane, have four children, Larry Jr., Phil, Tracie and Steven; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. During his retirement, he plans to play golf on "most of the nice days." The couple should experience a lot of nice days - they bought a winter home in Fla. and plan to spend at least five months a year there.

"I really enjoyed my time as an engineer, sometimes more than others," said Brother Hodges. "I thought I would really miss it but I can truthfully say I don't. Forty-one years is plenty."

In Iowa, you can reach the Hodges at: 4210 NE 46th St., Des Moines, IA 50317.

Boatright will miss railroad friends after retirement

F.R. Boatright after his last run on July 31, 2004.

BLET Division 857 (Tyler, Texas) member Floyd R. Boatright made his last run on July 31, 2004, on a run from Longview to Hearne, Texas.

Brother Boatright hired out as a fireman on the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad on March 20, 1962 in Tyler, Texas. He was promoted to locomotive engineer on April 1, 1966. He joined BLE Division 857 on February 5, 1968. He worked for 42 years without a reportable injury.

Brother Boatright and his wife of 42 years, Lanell, have three daughters and nine grandchildren. During his retirement, he plans to hunt, fish and travel with Lanell.

For eight years, Boatright has served as a city councilman for New Chapel Hill, Texas. He also served three terms as a Deacon at the First Assembly Church of God in Tyler, Texas.

Brother Boatright will "miss all of his friends at Tyler, Longview, Waco, Dallas, Fort Worth and Memphis, Tenn."

The Boatrights live at: 14120 State Highway 64E, Tyler, Texas 75707.

Brother Kruse extends thanks to old friend Don Hahs

Brother Kruse and his wife Betty Ann

BLET Division 194 (Houston, Texas) member Douglas H. Kruse made his last run on March 31, 2004 on a load switcher between Lufkin and Timson, Texas.

Brother Kruse began his railroad career in 1951 as a yard clerk for the T&NO Railroad in Yoakum, Texas. He went firing for the T&NO in 1957 after serving in the Army in Germany and was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer by the HE & WT Rabbit in 1968.

He joined BLE Division 139 in 1967. During his time as a member of the BLE, he served as a member of the Texas State Legislative Board from Division 139 and twice served as President of Division 164 in Lufkin.

Brother Kruse and his wife, Betty Ann, were married on June 15, 1953. The couple has three children, Douglas, Dan and Darren, and three grandchildren. Dan is a conductor for Union Pacific.

During his retirement, he and his wife plan to travel and enjoy their time together. Brother Kruse also enjoys woodworking and participating at church.

Kruse extended a special thanks to Don Hahs for his current efforts as National President, but especially for his years of hard work while he was a General Chairman.

"When we had our Division 164 at Lufkin, Don Hahs would visit our meetings while he was a General Chairman," said Brother Kruse. "He worked hard as a General Chairman and secured us many additional benefits. I would like to thank him. It was great having him as a friend."

The Kruses live at: P.O. Box 436, Mt. Enterprise, Texas 75681.

Goodson to spend time with family after 37-year career

During retirement, Brother Goodson will spend time with family instead of behind the throttle of a locomotive.

Brother William M. "Mike" Goodson of BLET Division 530 (Commerce, Texas) made his last run on November 12, 2004 for Union Pacific from Chickasha, Okla., to Fort Worth, Texas.

Brother Goodson began his railroad career in 1967 as a car inspector for the Cotton Belt (S&LSW). He went firing for the Cotton Belt on April 12, 1979 and was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer on July 19, 1980.

He joined the BLE on July 1, 1979. He served two terms as the President of Division 530.

Brother Goodson comes from a railroad family. Both of his grandfathers worked for railroads and his mother, Sybil Fee Goodson, worked in the Kansas City Southern offices in the 1940s.

He and his wife, Jo, have two children, W.M. Goodson Jr. and Stacie Lyn Fink; and five grandchildren.

During his retirement, Brother Goodson plans to travel and "spend time with family for a change," he said. He is a proud member of A.F. & A.M. Border Lodge 672; York Rite Mason and Sharon Temple Shriner.

The Goodson's live at: 1305 S.W. 9th, Cooper, Texas 75432.

Vereen retires after 42-year career

Brother Larry M. Vereen of BLET Division 500 (Clerburne, Texas) made his last run on the Cleburne road switcher on November 30, 2004.

Brother Vereen hired out originally as a switchman for the Santa Fe in Slaton, Texas, in October of 1962. He then moved and rehired as a switchman-brakeman for BNSF in Fort Worth, Texas, a year later. From 1965 to 1969, he worked in the Cleburne roadhouse. He went firing in 1969 and was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1971.

Brother Vereen joined the BLE on September 1, 1972. He served as Local Chairman and President for Division 500, and was a delegate to the 1981 International Division convention.

While his wife is still working, Brother Vereen plans to play golf during his retirement.

The Vereen's live at: 217 Brushy Mound Rd. N.E., Burleson, Texas 76028.

Brother McAlister with R.L. Wiedieman preparing to leave North Platte on his Last Run in 1998.

Brother A.G. McAlister of BLET Division 115 (Cheyenne, Wyo.) made his last run on his 62nd birthday on September 26, 1998. He has been a member of the BLE since June 1, 1974.

Brother McAlister hired out on the Union Pacific Railroad in July 1960. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer in 1970 and was transferred to Kansas City in 1973 and later back to Wyoming in 1975.

"I enjoyed going everywhere and everyone I worked with," said Brother McAlister. "Always with the BLE. It was a wonderful job."

Brother McAlister and his wife, Ruth, have a home in Cheyenne and a winter home in Quartzsite, Ariz. He enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, wood and rock carving and going south for the winter.

When they aren't traveling, you can reach the McAlisters at: 1061 Happy Jack Rd., Cheyenne, Wyo. 82007. ·

Brother Alan L. Contryman of BLET Division 624 (Sheridan, Wyo.) made his last run for BNSF on the Sheridan switch engine on November 17, 2003, and has been celebrating every day since then.

Brother Contryman began his railroad career in 1971 and went firing for Burlington Northern on February 15, 1974 in Edgemont, S.D. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer on October 3, 1974, and joined BLE Division 622 on January 1, 1975.

Since his retirement in 2003, Brother Contryman has been traveling, hunting and fishing. He has also been restoring a 4X4. He and his wife, Charon, have two children, Tom and Candace and five grandchildren.

The Contryman's live at: P.O. Box 646, Hot Springs, S.D. 57747-0646.

Back to Fall/Winter 2004 Journal

© 2004 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen