Summer 2003
Volume 110- No. 2
Summer 2003
Volume 110- No. 2
Honor Rolls
Harshbarger a 44-year BLE member
Brother Walter Harshbarger Jr. of BLE Division 190 (Huntington, W.Va.)
celebrated 44 years of BLE membership on May 4.
He began his railroad career in 1946 as a fireman for the C&O Railway in Peach Creek, W.Va. He joined the BLE in 1959 and earned promotion to the position of locomotive engineer at the C&O in 1962. He retired as a locomotive engineer for CSX in 1981. His brother, Jack, is a retired chief clerk.
"I enjoyed the years that I worked for the railroad," said Harshbarger.
Harshbarger is a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force and served in the South Pacific for three years. He held the rank of Corporal and received the Bronze Star.
He is a former Town Council member and is active in the Milton Senior Citizen Center. He belongs to the AARP and Cole, a lobbying group for seniors. He serves on the Board of Grant Medical Center and is a member of the Senior Citizen Fan Band.
In his free time, he enjoys "traveling and loafing." He also finds time to visit the sick in nursing homes.
He and his wife, Imogene, have been married since 1959. They have three children, Ann M. Vos, Amy Jarvis and Susan Ramin, and two grandchildren.
The Harshbargers reside at: 1056 Harrison St., Milton, W.Va. 25541.
Mushrush marks 45 years as BLE member
Brother Mushrush's last run on February 19, 1982, in Meadville, Pa. From left: Brakeman Miles Schweitzer; Flagman Paul Bleasdale; Brother Mushrush; and Conductor Jed Kingen.
On March 1, Brother Paul W. Mushrush celebrated 45 years as a member of the BLE. He joined BLE Division 43 in 1958 and is currently a retired member of BLE Division 325 (Wilkinsburg, Pa.).
Brother Mushrush, whose father and uncle both worked in the railroad industry, went firing in 1941 for the Erie Railroad in Meadville, Pa. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer in September 1950 and joined the BLE on March 1, 1958. He made his last run on February 19, 1982. During his time with the railroad, he worked as an engineer and a fireman on both diesel and steam locomotives.
From 1944 to 1946, Brother Mushrush served as a member of the 711th Railway Operating Battalion. He was a locomotive engineer for the Iranian Railroad, which carried war supplies to Russia.
Brother Mushrush has been married since September 4, 1948 to his wife, Erma. The couple has one child, Kathleen; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Since his retirement, Brother Mushrush has enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He has also kept up with his hobbies of woodworking, woodcutting, fishing and golf. He is an active past master of his Masonic Lodge.
The Mushrushes live at: 22103 Blooming Valley Rd., Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Green worked for CP Rail, VIA Rail throughout career
Brother Robert G. Green of BLE Division 288 (Mac Tier, Ontario) celebrated
55 years of BLE membership on November 4, 2002.
Brother Green began his railroad career as a fireman on Canadian Pacific Railway in Mac Tier on August 7, 1943. He was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer in October 1946 and joined the BLE on November 4, 1946. In addition to working for C.P. Rail, Brother Green also worked as a locomotive engineer for VIA Rail. He served as Division 288 local chairman during his career.
Brother Green made his last run on December 12, 1983 on a diesel locomotive between Cartier, Ont., and Mac Tier. He was presented with his 40 year pin by former BLE International President Ronald McLaughlin.
Several members of Brother Green's family have been employed in the railroad industry over the years including his brother, Ernie, who was killed in a head-on collision with another train in Ruther Glen, Ont., in 1945. His stepson is also a railroad employee.
Brother Green has two children, four step-children and 10 grandchildren. He turned 80 years old on August 29. He is a member of the Lions Club and enjoys traveling, square dancing and spending time with his grandchildren.
The Greens live at: 1034 Buckeye Rd., RR1 Mac Tier, Ont. P0C 1H0.
Division 251 recognizes McNussen for 51 years of membership
Brother McNussen is presented with a 50-year BLE membership pin and certificate. He first joined the BLE on February 20, 1952. From left: R.T. Kerr, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 251 (Villa Grove, Ill.); Thelma and Jack McNussen; and A.D. Bessent, President of Division 251.
Brother Jack H. McNussen of BLE Division 251 (Villa Grove, Ill.) celebrated 51 years of continuous membership in the BLE in February.
A World War II veteran, Brother McNussen began his railroad career as a fireman in 1940 in Danville, Ill. for the C&EI Railroad. He was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1947 and joined the BLE in 1952. During his tenure with the BLE, Brother McNussen held several elected offices and served as General Chairman for several years.
Brother McNussen and his wife of 61 years, Thelma, have two children, Susan and Eric, and five grandchildren. Eric is a member of BLE Division 603 (Champaign, Ill.).
Since his retirement in 1981, Brother McNussen has spent his time golfing, swimming, traveling and playing horseshoes. He and Thelma have a house in Barton, Fla.
The McNussen's live at: 212 S. Richman, Villa Grove, Ill. 61956.
Linhart a BLE member for 56 years
Brother Linhart during his last run on May 29, 1981
Brother Emmett W. Linhart of BLE Division 325 (Wilkinsberg, Pa.) celebrated 56 years of membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers on June 18, 2003.
Linhart, a U.S. Navy veteran, and his wife, Grace, have been married since 1941. He enjoys golfing and gardening. He is also a guide at the Oliver Miller Homestead, which is a historical site near his home.
Brother Linhart began his railroad career as a fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad on October 20, 1941. He was earned promotion to the position of locomotive engineer on April 7, 1946, and joined the BLE in 1947. He held the position of secretary-treasurer of Division 936 - his original division - for several years beginning in 1951.
Brother Linhart made his last run on May 29, 1981.
He had several relatives who worked in the railroad industry, including his father-in-law, two brothers-in-law and a nephew.
The Linharts live at: 4835 Doyle Rd. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15227.
Attention Retirees!
BLE members planning to retire in coming months should register with the International Division in order to have their Last Run published in the Locomotive Engineers Journal.
In addition to Last Runs, Honor Rolls are published in recognition of members who have at least 40 consecutive years of BLE membership. Longtime BLE members should inquire for more details.
For more details, members should contact the following:
© 2003 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers