Summer 2002
Volume 109 - No. 2
Summer 2002
Volume 109 - No. 2
Honor Rolls
McGarry fondly remembers 58 years with BLE
Brother Bill McGarry of Division 573 (Greenville, Texas) celebrates
58 years of BLE membership this year.
Brother McGarry retired June 1, 1977, having completed 41 years of service with the Kansas City Southern Railroad.
He worked on three divisions of the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad, while always maintaining his seniority on the Texas Division.
In 1936, McGarry started work at the age of 17 in the roundhouse at Greenville, Texas, and went firing at the age of 19. He joined BLE Division 573 in 1944 and during World War II was one of the five youngest engineers in the United States.
He says that he owes most of his success to the BLE for the wages they obtained for him. He attended three universities and was the owner-manager of seven farms. After retirement, he was a volunteer houseparent for three years at Boles Orphan Home in Texas.
One of his most memorable railroad experiences was the time that he was called in from vacation in 1956 to run the last passenger train on the Texas Division. This train was a special train with seven major oil company presidents and six major New York City bank presidents aboard. The train was comprised of two bar cars, one music car, one snack car and 13 other coaches. The purpose of the trip was to get a loan for Lone Star Steel Co.
Brother McGarry ran the last steam engine on the KCS in 1956 and worked on steam engines for 20 years and on diesel for 21 years.
He has four daughters, four granddaughters and two great-grandsons.
Today, McGarry is an active day-trader in the securities market, having started in 1950.
"At the age of 84, as yet, I think of the many things which the BLE has done for me," said McGarry. "I look back with nostalgia at the times I ate and stayed at the boarding house of Wisenfield, La., which was owned and run by kin folks of Hughey P. Loy in 1940 and also hauling the crack passenger train (the Southern Belle) at New Orleans, La., in 1944. At New Orleans, I was a borrowed engineer on contract, without seniority."
Brother McGarry wishes the BLE much luck in the future and welcomes all "railroaders to visit him anytime."
Brother McGarry lives at: 3201 Kari Lane, Apt. 1815, Greenville, Tex.
75402-8306.
White celebrates 55 years
Brother Travis E. White, 85, celebrated 55 years of BLE membership on March 20, 2002. Brother White has been a member of BLE Division 779 (Manchester, Ga.) for his entire tenure in the BLE.
Brother White began his railroad career in November 1942 as a hostler-helper on the AB & C in Birmingham, Ala. He went firing on May 6, 1943 and was promoted to locomotive engineer on May 30, 1945 by the AB&C.
His railroad career came to a conclusion on Feb. 2, 1975 when Brother White made his last run as an engineer on a yard switcher in LaGrange, Ga. During his career he worked for the AB&C, the ACL, the Seaboard Coast Line and CSX without ever receiving a demerit.
Brother White and his wife of 64 years, Addie, have two children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is a member of the Baptist church. He enjoys gardening, hunting and fishing.
The Whites reside at: P.O. Box 1066, Gulf Shores, AL 36547.
Lyman proud of 42 years of BLE membership
Brother Lyman (left) with two Australian trap shooters at the August 2000 Grand American Trap Shoot in Vandalia, Ohio.
Brother C.J. Lyman of BLE Division 114 (Waterloo, Iowa) celebrated 42 years as a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers this year.
Brother Lyman joined BLE Division 699 (now defunct) in 1960. He served as President and Legislative Representative of Division 226 for several terms each, and served as Vice-Chairman of the Iowa State Legislative Board for several years.
In 1943, Lyman began his railroad career as an engine wiper for Illinois Central at the roundhouse in Cherokee, Iowa, and went firing for the IC later that year. However, he was furloughed in 1955.
After working briefly for the Union Pacific and the Minneapolis & St. Louis, he returned to the IC as a switchman and later was recalled as a fireman.
On his days off from the IC, he would work as a fireman for the Milwaukee Road. In 1960, he was promoted to locomotive engineer and joined BLE Division 699. He retired in 1984.
A shooting sports enthusiast, Brother Lyman is a member of the National Rifle Association and other organizations that support shooting sports. He is a registered trap shooter, long range pistol shooter and a dedicated muzzleloading rifle and shotgun shooter.
Lyman and his wife of over 50 years have five children, C. Patrick, Barbara Ann Kluck, Mary Ellen Ryan, Thomas Joseph Lyman and Janet Marie Williams. The couple also has 26 grandchildren, aged 26 years to toddlers.
Each year, Brother Lyman and his wife take trips to visit family and friends in Sioux Falls, S.D.
"I feel that the BLE was and is the best place for locomotive engineers to place their trust," Lyman said.
The Lymans live at: 1654 10th Ave. North, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501. ·
© 2002 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers