I believe you are referring to my late Uncle Ed (aka 'Smitty' or 'Red') Smith
of Downers Grove who passed away 2 yrs ago. He was night yardmaster @ Clyde for
YEARS (& when he had enough seniority to go on days, he decided nights was more
to his liking - less interference!) He also had a stint as a Trainmaster but
chose to go back to the yards. A Chicago native who started with the Q right
after WWII (he was a vet) and at retirement from BN was Sr yardmaster on the
entire system & one of the handful of former Q emps to still have some Q stock
which he finally converted to BN stock for a BIG profit.
I cannot speak as to what extent he created "situations" for foreign roads but
do know he did NOT tolerate anyone screwing up 'his' yard. I suspect if
'cabooses' got buried its because a foreign crew did not do as he told them &
he made sure it did not happen again. He had the utmost respect for Harry
Murphy for 'knowing' & caring about so many Q emps.
I always envied his son, my cousin Ed Jr, who got to work as a CUS Redcap every
summer (due to his Dad's connections) while attending Southern Illinois. He
made good tips from celebrities who still rode Zephyrs in the late 60's. All
that said Ed Jr. was never interested in RRing whereas I was so Ed Sr. gave me
his set of keys after he ret'd.
Gerald
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
From: cvlk@comcast.net
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:21:11 -0600
Subject: [CBQ] Clyde Yard
Leo's post about transfer runs reminds me of a true legend that I'd like to see
recorded.
During the 60's there was a Clyde Yard Manager (I don't know his position or
title, but he had some supervisory authority
that allowed him to do the deed) that would somehow "arrange" things so that
foreign road transfers couldn't get their
caboose, hack, van, crummy, buggy, cabin, waycar, or whatever they called it
for the light engine trip back home. The goal would
be to collect as many different road's cars as possible in a shift.
I believe the guy was a relative of a member of the society.
I sure would like to see the story (with the truth and all colorful urban
legend embellishments added/set straight)
in writing in a future BRHS publication.
Charlie Vlk
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