Summer 2001
Volume 108 - No. 2
Summer 2001
Volume 108 - No. 2
Last Runs
Brother Cook celebrates retirement with railroad family
Brother Cook, far right, with his sons, who helped him prepare for his last run. From left: Scott Cook (locomotive engineer); Ben Cook (trainman); and their father, the now-retired R.H. Cook.
Richard H. Cook of BLE Division 101 (Hinton, W.Va.) made his last for CSX run on Jan. 20, 2001.
Cook began his railroad career in 1965 as a clerk for the C&O Railroad in Thurmond, W.Va., and went firing on Jan. 17, 1980 on the Chessie System. He was promoted to engineer on Nov. 23, 1980 by the Chessie System and joined BLE Division 101 on Dec. 1, 1982.
Brother Cook and his wife, Lois, have five children and eight grandchildren. Two of his sons have joined him in the railroad business. One son, Scott, worked for the Chessie and CSX for 20 years in both train and engine service, and another son, Ben, has worked as a brakeman and conductor for CSX for three years.
During his retirement, Brother Cook hopes to spend more time with his children and grandchildren. He also will continue golfing, boating, wood-working and knife-making. He serves as a trustee and deacon of the Bellepoint Baptist Church.
"I enjoyed railroading and will miss the people I've worked with," said Brother Cook.
The Cooks live at: HC 77 Box 26-C, Hinton, W.Va. 25951.
Nirtaut concludes 45-year rail career
with Union Pacific
BLE Division 613 (Chicago) member Ronald T. Nirtaut plans to spend his
retirement relaxing with his family after completing his last run on Jan.
31, 2001.
Brother Nirtaut began his railroad career as a fireman for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad in 1956. He was promoted to locomotive engineer by that railroad in 1960 and retired on the Union Pacific. He joined BLE Division 613 in 1968 and served as the division chaplain for 10 years. He retires with an injury-free safety record.
Brother Nirtaut was also a member of the U.S. Army for several years and rose to the rank of sergeant.
Nirtaut and his wife, Carolyn, were married in 1962. The couple has three children and six grandchildren, whom he plans to spend a lot of time with during his retirement. He also plans to travel with family and friends and work around the house and yard.
"I enjoyed my job which provided well for my family," said Nirtaut.
The Nirtauts live at: 11510 W. 93rd Ave., St. John, Ind. 46373.
Roberts retires with no regrets: 'It was always a thrill'
"Gene" Roberts of BLE Division 742 (Evansville, Ind.) has
seen many changes in his years in the railroad business, including the names
of the railroad that he worked for. He made his last run on July 30, 2000,
between Evansville, Ind. and Nashville, Ten.
Brother Roberts began his career as a fireman in 1960 on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He was promoted to engineer by the L&N in September 1964. The L&N eventually became the Seaboard Family Line and then part of CSX, all while Brother Roberts was employed there. He became a member of BLE Division 742 on Dec. 1, 1969.
While he was an engineer for many years, Brother Roberts was always excited about his job.
"I loved my job. Running those power monsters up and down the road," he said. "It was always a thrill. I loved those trains."
Brother Roberts plans to spend his retirement with his wife Lenora, whom he married in 1960, "taking life one day at a time." He also plans on doing a little traveling and indulging in his hobbies of bowling, playing pool and fishing. Brother Roberts and his wife have two children and four grandchildren.
The Roberts live at: 309 Kerry Ln., Henderson, Ky. 42420.
Co-workers go all out to make sure
Stocker retires in style
From left: Rich Darcy, BLE Div. 373 Local Chairman; August Blew, Phil's stepson; John Stocker, Phil's son; and Phil Stocker BLE Div. 373 retiree.
Brother Stocker comes from a railroad family. His father, grandfather and two brothers all worked for the Central New Jersey Railroad, the predecessor line for New Jersey Transit's passenger operations. Trains were Brother Stocker's lifelong passion. As a child, his father built him a very large trainset and often took him for rides in the cabs of the steam engines that he operated.
Stocker went firing for the Central New Jersey in 1956 and was promoted to engineer in 1960. He joined the BLE four years later.
During his retirement, Brother Stocker and his wife, Peggy, whom he married in 1974, plan to spend time camping with their family. Stocker has three children, two step-children, and five grandchildren. They are also planning a trip to Europe in September.
Brother Stocker leaves his railroad career with many fond memories of the men and women that he worked with over the years. One of the highlights of his career was working on the New Jersey Transit Bicentennial train.
At his retirement party, members of Division 373 presented Brother Stocker with a bronze train.
"These guys really went all out to make his last day a memorable one for him and his family," said Peggy Stocker.
The Stockers live at: 53 Anderson Street, Raritan, N.J. 08869.
Division 89's O'Connor looks forward
to busy retirement years
Brother Daniel F. O'Connor of BLE Division 89 (Montreal) made his last run on July 22, 2000, running CN's laser train from Brampton, Ontario to Montreal-Turcot Yard.
Brother O'Connor began his railroad career on Nov. 24, 1973 with Canadian National in Montreal. He earned his promotion to locomotive engineer on April 7, 1978 and joined the BLE in 1980. O'Connor's two brothers worked in CN's railroad shops and are both retired.
Brother O'Connor and his wife of 25 years, Florine, have two sons - Darren and Kevin. During his retirement, O'Connor hopes to travel, keep active in the gym and play sports. He is an amateur filmmaker and an avid poet. One of his poems is printed below.
The O'Connors live at: 204 1st Ave., LaSalle, Quebec H8P 2E7.
Locomotive Engineer
Moving fast on the main line,
With little time to reflect.
Diesel engines running fine,
And operating rules in effect.
Through towns and cities trains go,
On track with enormous weight.
Through farms and forests to and fro,
Hauling equipment with precious freight.
Locomotive engineers are a hardy breed,
A clear signal is their visible gem.
They scrutinize the road indeed,
And wave to people who wave at them.
Reaching their destination without fail,
Must be a wishful notion,
Because steel wheels on steel rail,
Are throttled to a proper motion.
- By Daniel F. O'Connor, Division 89
© 2001 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers