(erielack) (no subject)

[WSmith5957_@_aol.com]

The Road Foreman of Engines supervised the Engineers and firemen.
    For instance, I was hired by Mr. Walter G. Coleman in Brier Hill 
Yard..Youngstown, Ohio in Dec., 1959 as a fireman. Mr. Coleman was one of the 
oldfashioned RFEs that'd run & fired ERIE steam. Also a decent man & a 
gentleman.
I later transferred to Scranton, Pa. after interviewing with the then RFE 
Freddie V. Hall, also a steam man. These guys knew the duties because they'd 
DONE it.
(Altho Mr. Hall could be brutal if u did a dumb thing....u didn't do it 
twice).
      Most operated on the theory that if they turned u loose with a train or 
engine, you knew ur business too. Keep in mind that this was when you served 
an apprenticeship for years as a 'fireman' on steam or diesel. Kind of like a 
co-pilot on a plane. I'm horrified how nowadays, they put newhires on a 
'simulator' then turn them loose. RFEs aren't the same anymore either.....all 
too many are Company beancounters with little or no engine service experience.
Regards,
Walter E. Smith
Employee # 102156

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