Louisville and Nashville Railroad

Ray Abner is a retired general chairman of the International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers (IBF&O). His experience with the L&N Railroad began during his childhood in Eastern Kentucky. Main Topics: Childhood and early years in railroad boarding camp. Experience as a telegrapher; transfer to position at the South Louisville Shops after being furloughed in 1936-37; early union organizing at the South Louisville Shops; definition of the terms "fireman" and "oilers" and the relation of semiskilled and unskilled workers to the IBF&O; work responsibilities of the laborers; role of the IBF&O during the 1955 strike against the L&N Railroad; responsibilities of the general chairman of the IBF&O; changes brought about by equal opportunity employment legislation; reflections on union activities including accomplishments, labor and management relations, and cooperation from the national office for local problems; historical importance of the railroads to Eastern Kentucky.

Ashby, who was the superintendent of the Atlanta Division on the L&N Railroad, is interviewed about the following topics: his family's background in railroading, railroad passenger service, railroad terms and positions, the structure of a railroad, railroad costs and a short history of the L&N Railroad.

Jim Bailey served as a general vice president of the Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States and Canada. Main Topics: Family history in railroad occupations; brief review of Bailey's career advancements with the Carmen's union; background on the Carmen's union and its role in the 1955 crafts strike against the L&N railroad; description of the L&N shop facilities in Montgomery, Alabama; Bailey's move to Louisville as General Chairman of the Joint Protective Board of the Carmen's union and the responsibilities of this position; some comments on the importance of the Railway Labor Act; Bailey's experiences on the national level as Grand Lodge Deputy and as a member of the General Executive Board; some of the specific responsibilities of the General Vice Presidents of the BRC of US&C; specific duties and responsibilities of Mr. Bailey's present position; listing of railroad occupations included in the BRC of US&C agreements and covered by their constitution adopted at Joint Convention, Topeka, Kansas, September, 1890.

Main Topics: Education and early life, experience in the road master's office, general baggage and general passenger department around 1922; description of Union Station in the 1920s, description of passengers and troop trains 1920 through World War II; comments on the military bureau, food supplies and army cooks; offices of the L&N and other railroad passenger agents in the Marion E. Taylor and Starks Building on Fourth Street in Louisville; special tours included trips to: Mammoth Cave, Natural Bridge, to ball games in Cincinnati, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri; types of accommodations available on the passenger trains; more comments on experience as chief clerk in the Starks Building Arcade office until move toward consolidation about 1959; changes in Union Station over the years; Louisville, Henderson, and St. Louis Railway merger in 1929; experiences that meant a great deal to Birchler and some of the personalities that he remembers. Included in these were an excursion trip to Niagara Falls, New York; tours for school children; special trains for Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Thomas E. Dewey. Private cars-comments and descriptions; local lines and local transportation; comments on the land grant railroads. Special aspects of the L&N Railroads. Local feeling of loyalty to the L&N. Development of the local community because of the L&N Interurban lines. Traveling passenger agents.

Early employment experience, men secretaries at the L&N. Industrial agents served under: Mr. Hatti, Mr. Chase. Agricultural colonization sponsored by L&N in southern states. L&N projects with governmental or military agencies: Naval Ordinance, Lexington-Avon Signal Depot, Higgins Ship Yard-Louisiana, Curtis Wright; and Space Center. Land acquisition, survey and development data, ownership, acquisition of needed land by government. L&N military export activities. Oak Ridge facility created without L&N knowledge of reason. Military experience. Post-war period: railroads used by private industry to negotiate and survey area prior to announcement of industry coming into region. Competition from trucking industry; dieselization as a competitive necessity. Industrial Development dept created 1959. Additional land acquired, converted to industrial use. Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Evansville acquisition; Western & Atlantic R.R. Bisha's role in Seaboard Coast Line. Purchase of the Monon. On Board of Chicago & Western Indiana & Belt RR of Chicago representing L&N. N.C.&St.L. merger and Ford plant in Nashville. Seaboard Coast Line consolidation. Changes in technology; computerization. Increased size of cars. Lines into eastern Kentucky Coal fields. Piggy back, circus loading, high capacity lifts, fork lift operations. Problems with existing structures built for smaller cars. Examples of recycling land owned by L&N. Changes for Bisha with consolidation of L&N with SCL. Acquisition - part of Tennessee Central, RFC involvement. Receivership under Battle Rhodes. Attempt to negotiate for RR line to become part of the L&N, prevented by brotherhoods, settled by federal judge. Property disposed of to settle government RFC loans. L&N creation of new revenue sources: tree farming, tung nut, government and L&N agricultural agents. L&N first RR to create land banks. L&N's role in Louisville-area development. Acquisition of Monon RR brought K&I tracks leading to development of Rubbertown area, current work in Riverport area, southern Jefferson County, importance of floodwall, development of Freeport area by US Commerce Dept. Possible changes in transportation regulations. Revitalization of L&N-owned facilities.

Early employment experience, men secretaries at the L&N. Industrial agents served under: Mr. Hatti, Mr. Chase. Agricultural colonization sponsored by L&N in southern states. L&N projects with governmental or military agencies: Naval Ordinance, Lexington-Avon Signal Depot, Higgins Ship Yard-Louisiana, Curtis Wright; and Space Center. Land acquisition, survey and development data, ownership, acquisition of needed land by government. L&N military export activities. Oak Ridge facility created without L&N knowledge of reason. Military experience. Post-war period: railroads used by private industry to negotiate and survey area prior to announcement of industry coming into region. Competition from trucking industry; dieselization as a competitive necessity. Industrial Development dept created 1959. Additional land acquired, converted to industrial use. Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Evansville acquisition; Western & Atlantic R.R. Bisha's role in Seaboard Coast Line. Purchase of the Monon. On Board of Chicago & Western Indiana & Belt RR of Chicago representing L&N. N.C.&St.L. merger and Ford plant in Nashville. Seaboard Coast Line consolidation. Changes in technology; computerization. Increased size of cars. Lines into eastern Kentucky Coal fields. Piggy back, circus loading, high capacity lifts, fork lift operations. Problems with existing structures built for smaller cars. Examples of recycling land owned by L&N. Changes for Bisha with consolidation of L&N with SCL. Acquisition - part of Tennessee Central, RFC involvement. Receivership under Battle Rhodes. Attempt to negotiate for RR line to become part of the L&N, prevented by brotherhoods, settled by federal judge. Property disposed of to settle government RFC loans. L&N creation of new revenue sources: tree farming, tung nut, government and L&N agricultural agents. L&N first RR to create land banks. L&N's role in Louisville-area development. Acquisition of Monon RR brought K&I tracks leading to development of Rubbertown area, current work in Riverport area, southern Jefferson County, importance of floodwall, development of Freeport area by US Commerce Dept. Possible changes in transportation regulations. Revitalization of L&N-owned facilities.

Mr. Bowman is a retired L&N employee.

Mildred Bradley is a retired worker at the South Louisville Shops. She was among a large group of women hired by the L&N Railroad during World War II. Main topics: Early life and jobs before employment with L&N; early working years at the L&N (good description of cleaning diesels and working with brick masons); postwar years; unionization and the importance for women; 1955 strike observations and experiences; limitations on women workers who continued to work at the South Louisville shops; background on International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers; special tools and aspects of Mildred Bradley's work; work experiences of father, Jess Davis; reflections on race relations in Kentucky and on the L&N Railroad. Wrap-up: comments on work including examples of how she dug the pits under the diesels and other heavy machines, and more explanation concerning union activities and records; reflections on what might have been if times had been different and compliments paid to Ms. Bradley.

Mr. Burkhart is a retired L&N employee and past General Chairman of the Railroad Yardmasters of America. Main topics: father's railroad background and L&N ties with the Shelby Park community near the Oak Street Yard; military railroad experience during World War II; postwar changes in railroading at the L&N; military railroad experience during the Korean conflict; union activities and reflections on Burkhart's years as General Chairman; physical differences in the three Louisville L&N Railroad yards: east Louisville, Water Street, and the South Louisville yard. Additional comments on union activities, the L&N Railroad battalion and its training activities.

Number 1 engineer in seniority for the L&N Railroad, Mr. Campbell relates his many years of experience with the steam locomotives.

This interview focuses upon Mr. Carey's experiences while working as an L&N engine carpenter. Topics include: union activities, political activities and company policy, and the coming of the diesel engine to the Louisville shops.

Charles B. "Charlie" Castner, who was 83 at the time of this interview, discusses growing up in the Old Louisville and Crescent Hill neighborhoods in Louisville, Kentucky; significant 1930s and 1940s rail trips; and his life-long interest in documenting railroad and street rail history—including involvement with a local railfan group starting in the early 1940s. He touches on his father’s role prospering Gamble Brothers, a local manufacturer of wood furniture parts. The narrator also traces his prep-school education at the McCalue School in Chattanooga, TN., college years at Washington and Lee University, and his development as an accomplished boogie-woogie/jazz pianist. Castner reviews his years in the Marine Corps and U. S. Army Reserves in the Korean War era and family, including his marriage to Katie Heathcock. His work as a script writer and producer at WHAS Radio in the 1950s and almost thirty years in public relations at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company are also discussed. The interview concludes with his role in the preservation of the L&N Records at the University Archives and Records Center at UofL as well as over twenty-five years as a volunteer there assisting researchers in their use. In the second part of this interview, he discusses his longstanding interest in exercise and physical conditioning as well as how in the late 1930s he acquired (influenced in part by two Louisville African-American brothers)–a love for performing jazz, blues, and honky-tonk music. He also recalls the various musical groups he played with as a student at Washington and Lee University and back in Louisville. The interviewee also describes his wife Katie’s role in the family, her background and musical interests, and later debilitation from dementia . Castner discusses his three children, their lives, careers, and musical abilities, as well as the sexual orientation of his daughter and his participation in the 1990s in the Louisville chapter of Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians. Finally he recalls his closeness to his brother and sister and his lifetime interest in passenger rail.

Charles B. "Charlie" Castner, who was 83 at the time of this interview, discusses growing up in the Old Louisville and Crescent Hill neighborhoods in Louisville, Kentucky; significant 1930s and 1940s rail trips; and his life-long interest in documenting railroad and street rail history—including involvement with a local railfan group starting in the early 1940s. He touches on his father’s role prospering Gamble Brothers, a local manufacturer of wood furniture parts. The narrator also traces his prep-school education at the McCalue School in Chattanooga, TN., college years at Washington and Lee University, and his development as an accomplished boogie-woogie/jazz pianist. Castner reviews his years in the Marine Corps and U. S. Army Reserves in the Korean War era and family, including his marriage to Katie Heathcock. His work as a script writer and producer at WHAS Radio in the 1950s and almost thirty years in public relations at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company are also discussed. The interview concludes with his role in the preservation of the L&N Records at the University Archives and Records Center at UofL as well as over twenty-five years as a volunteer there assisting researchers in their use. In the second part of this interview, he discusses his longstanding interest in exercise and physical conditioning as well as how in the late 1930s he acquired (influenced in part by two Louisville African-American brothers)–a love for performing jazz, blues, and honky-tonk music. He also recalls the various musical groups he played with as a student at Washington and Lee University and back in Louisville. The interviewee also describes his wife Katie’s role in the family, her background and musical interests, and later debilitation from dementia . Castner discusses his three children, their lives, careers, and musical abilities, as well as the sexual orientation of his daughter and his participation in the 1990s in the Louisville chapter of Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians. Finally he recalls his closeness to his brother and sister and his lifetime interest in passenger rail.

Main topics: Early life, University of Tennessee, banks closed 1933, hired as draftsman and instrument man; moved with L&N; career from division engineer to Assistant Vice President of Personnel and Labor Relations. Areas of experience: 1955 railroad strike, merger with N.C.&St.L., DeCoursey line up Straight Creek, Hurricane Betsy, involved in C.E.&I., and work as independent consultant. Descriptive sections on L&N: L&N in 1937, life out on the line, track and bridge repair and streamlining of curves, divisions of the L&N and their boundaries. Changes in division boundaries through merger, operation department and its chain of command, South Louisville shops, reasons for moving personnel throughout the divisions, description of camp car gangs, defense facilities and industrial development. Sections on routine maintenance and projected maintenance: types of crossties, explanation of rail conditions, suppliers of ties and rails, lining bars on tracks with caller versus more modern techniques, laying of rail and spikes, condition of track in relation to derailments, single track repair schedule. Repairing procedure for damage of Hurricanes Betsy and Camille. Additional information on work crews and union jobs. Modernization in many areas: scheduling of construction work, rapid loading facilities, critical path method (PERK). Discussion of labor and personnel: good explanation of the Brotherhood's responsibility to the provision the Railway Act. Descriptions on labor consideration: Lace Curtain money, reasons some agreements take so long to be resolved, hard feelings carried over from the 1955 railroad strike, Clark's past experience that enabled him to understand labor's viewpoint. Final comments: Differences in position when Clark held position of Vice President Operations in Jacksonville; was working in labor relations during three mergers: N.C.&St.L.; N&W & the Virginian; and recent experience with the New England railroads.

This tape contains selections from the L&N Project interviews. These included: James Bailey, William Kendall, James Clark, W.N. Wiggins, H. Liebknecht, and Robert Cotton. Restrictions: none.

Main topics: Early life, Nashville, school and marriage. Started in Transportation in 1963 in Louisville at $19.20 per day. Job severed with 282 award and became a switchman. Gained seniority and had more educational background. Influence of wife when racial barriers made position unpleasant. Became brakeman when switchman job was cut. Move to Glasgow where racial situation was bad. Gained experience as locomotive engineer on General Motors, General Electric and Alco locomotives. Around 1968 began to see other opportunities that could be open to him. 1971 became assistant train master, a position that proved to be valuable experience. 1977 became traveling engineer or road foreman. Then made immediate supervisor over locomotive engineers. Presently training of locomotive engineers is part of his responsibility. Utilization of the locomotives, new computerization for centralized train control. F7 Series, EMD, General Electric most sophisticated, centralized traffic control (CTC), service areas, modernization of equipment, unit train, road bed and increase in speed limits. Tracks and roadway the same location as in steam days. Necessary for rebuilding daily and the improvements on the locomotives themselves. Cotton outlines the boundaries of the Louisville Division. Terminals of the Louisville Division including the Monon Facilities. Discussion of the hump yard at Osborn Yard in Louisville. Cotton's responsibilities include thed following: training of personnel (apprentice engineers and supervisors), terminal breakdown and derailment procedure. This section also explains the regionalization of various areas of responsibility. Continuation of derailment sight procedure and notification if hazardous materials is being leaked and other general responsibilities. Strikes and the reason for training supervisors to operate the locomotives. Family Lines team approach, coming of women to the locomotive positions; some policy approach of the Family Lines that are important: Incentive program, scholarship awards for supervisors' children, scholarship opportunities for employees, higher level of education of training for new employees. Unionization and its effect on the company and present employee problems.

A Male High School graduate, Daulton's father was with the carman's union. Coleman Daulton started working for the L&N in the passenger department. He worked in the City Passenger Agent's office in the Starks Building. Stayed until cutback and worked for a while at the Andrews-Collins Company. Returned to the L&N in the personnel department where he remained for several years. Moved to the vice president's office as accident report clerk. Became secretary for assistant vice president R.C. Parsons. With this position Daulton traveled extensively throughout the entire L&N system, attended yearly stockholders' and director's meetings. Career experience with the L&N as assistant and then superintendent of safety began about 1950. This position began with three safety inspectors (maintenance of way, mechanical, and transportation) but gradually lost all three. Daulton was then given duties of head of freight loss and damage prevention when the department head retired. Changes came about when C.H. Sanderson joined the L&N. From 1972-1975 additional backing was given the Safety Department to accomplish its work. Accomplishments and programs of the department over the years (safety shoes, head protection, earmuffs, comprehensive rulebook replaced numerous sections put out by various departments). Emphasis on the importance of the red book on chemicals to the railroad in time of danger. L&N company policy of promoting men through the ranks and the effect this had. Thought on effects of reversing this policy. Family background of many people deeply involved in the L&N Railroad and how this relates to settlement of different areas in Louisville. Newsletter of national safety organization and Daulton's relation to it. Sections on early days in the L&N when traveling with Parsons and later experiences under C.S. Sanderson. Relationship between the Safety Department and the Claims Department (Law). Procedure when an injury took place. Important safety improvements for railroad.

William Dudley served as the last station master for the L&N Railroad at the Union Station in Louisville, Kentucky. Main topics: Railroad background of various members of the Dudley family. Usual cargo loads carried by the L&N such as baby chicks and a dead whale. World War II freight and passenger traffic, including the atomic bomb cars. Famous passengers known by Mr. Dudley. Experience as a mailhandler. Comparison of the train master and a station master. Interesting Kentucky Derby stories. Segregation policies and procedures of the L&N Railroad. L&N political activities.

Mr. Eye is a retired locomotive carpenter with a broad knowledge of the working of the South Louisville shops. Main topics: Early life and employment. South Louisville shops during World War II. Background on labor relations including comments on the 1922 and 1955 strikes on the L&N Railroad. Reflections on the steam locomotive and the change to diesel power. Physical considerations of work life at the South Louisville facilities. Modernization of the South Louisville shops. Various topics such as tours of the shops for main office personnel; positive feelings about work at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Phased out jobs, and cooperative efforts between the shops and other departments of the L&N.

Mr. Eye is a retired locomotive carpenter with a broad knowledge of the working of the South Louisville shops. Main topics: Early life and employment. South Louisville shops during World War II. Background on labor relations including comments on the 1922 and 1955 strikes on the L&N Railroad. Reflections on the steam locomotive and the change to diesel power. Physical considerations of work life at the South Louisville facilities. Modernization of the South Louisville shops. Various topics such as tours of the shops for main office personnel; positive feelings about work at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Phased out jobs, and cooperative efforts between the shops and other departments of the L&N.

Main topics: Education, early years with the L&N, characterizations of the L&N presidents: Milton H. Smith, Wible L. Mapother, James B. Hill, and John Tilford; made General Counsel under Hill. Under Tilford the push made to change to diesel power. ICC: Joseph Eastman and his connection with Louis D. Brandeis. Passenger service. Importance of business following the rail lines and the modernization of the L&N. Merger background. Change in hierarchy of the L&N. Board of directors of the L&N, chairman of the board of the Seaboard Coast Line. Importance of decision to convert from steam to diesel power. Financing the railroad through bond issues: L&N always had conservative financial policy. L&N involvement with coal fields in eastern and western Kentucky, Birmingham area. Law Department: involvement in issues that went before the ICC, cases involved rates. Levels of appeal before going to the Supreme Court. Cases before the Supreme Court, N.C.&St.L. Political activities in 1950s. Legislation adverse and profitable to the railroad. Lobbyists for the L&N - Pinkston and Lewis from Lexington. Labor and rates were main concern. Development of law staff. Prime Osborn - great knowledge about ICC. Philip M. Lanier - Vice President Law and General Counsel. Personal items about Mr. Grubbs' life, activities at St. Paul United Methodist Church and foundation of LOA (Love One Another) class. Family relationships and books written by Grubbs.

Main topics: Education, early years with the L&N, characterizations of the L&N presidents: Milton H. Smith, Wible L. Mapother, James B. Hill, and John Tilford; made General Counsel under Hill. Under Tilford the push made to change to diesel power. ICC: Joseph Eastman and his connection with Louis D. Brandeis. Passenger service. Importance of business following the rail lines and the modernization of the L&N. Merger background. Change in hierarchy of the L&N. Board of directors of the L&N, chairman of the board of the Seaboard Coast Line. Importance of decision to convert from steam to diesel power. Financing the railroad through bond issues: L&N always had conservative financial policy. L&N involvement with coal fields in eastern and western Kentucky, Birmingham area. Law Department: involvement in issues that went before the ICC, cases involved rates. Levels of appeal before going to the Supreme Court. Cases before the Supreme Court, N.C.&St.L. Political activities in 1950s. Legislation adverse and profitable to the railroad. Lobbyists for the L&N - Pinkston and Lewis from Lexington. Labor and rates were main concern. Development of law staff. Prime Osborn - great knowledge about ICC. Philip M. Lanier - Vice President Law and General Counsel. Personal items about Mr. Grubbs' life, activities at St. Paul United Methodist Church and foundation of LOA (Love One Another) class. Family relationships and books written by Grubbs.

Early life and jobs before joining the L&N Railroad. Secretary for general claims agent then general claims attorney. L&N in 1945: still a man's world. Ms. Hanley replaced a man. Explanation of claims department hierarchy and types of general claims work. Percentages of accidents and types of accidents. Description of several executives in the general claims division of the law department. Other divisions include commerce and general law (mortgages, deeds, and release agreements). Approximately 16 attorneys in 1945 and 14 in 1980; 15 outside District Attorneys and four staff plus local attorneys and medical staff consisting of 16 district surgeons and surgeons of present. Secretary for HW Willen, general claims attorney, about 1953 on. Tilford is the president being discussed. About 1960 Ms. Hanley began working for Milton H. Smith, II. Commerce department handles abandonment problems: L&N must get permission from ICC for closure of any tracks, branches, etc. Recollections of JJ Donohue, Mary Barnett (secretary), HW Willen, WJ Creclius, and Jim M. Terry. Hostess responsibilities: board of directors luncheon, retirement party for JE Tilford and later for WL Grubbs and CS Sanderson. Wrote the correspondent's column for the law department for 20 yrs. There was a very involved system to record keeping. Medical section very valuable because of the payments of bills. Participation by L&N in various projects: Dessie Scott Children's Home, Matilda Fund for L&N families, Once-a-year Solicitation plan, L&N Cooperative Club. Explanation of the 10th floor prestige: legal department on west end and executive department on east end. Working for Milton H. Smith, son of Sidney Smith, VP and grandson of Milton Hannibal Smith, president of L&N 1884-1886 and 1891-1921. Moving considerations to Jacksonville, Florida: tax, insurance and accounting. No plans at present to move the law department. Opportunities open to young people now that were closed 30 years ago. Organizations Hanley is actively involved with, women's movement into industry.

Moved to Louisville about 14, went to Louisville Polytechnical School run by the YMCA. After he joined the L&N in the Commerce Law and Traffic Department, he went to University of Louisville to take railroad law. Earlier worked in mimeograph department and as a clerk in mailing department. Depression hit and he moved to the Embargo Bureau. One of his main accomplishments was the updating of the tracking system. L&N was using a paper system and Harkleroad looked over other systems to find a better method. In 1965 with the use of telex and Western Union along with IBM, he was able to make needed modifications. Next in importance was to tie shippers into the system so that they could receive the information they needed but not receive restricted information. Final coup was to sell top officials on the importance of the system and the negotiation with the local union regarding the operation of the system. Positive aspects of real time, and the computerization of the train yards. Run through trains versus the unit train. Discussion of the workings of the Embargo Bureau and its involvement in moving people from Oklahoma to Baldwin County, Alabama. Observations on subjects surrounding working with car equipment: Car service items; car committee; special cars; shippers; car cleaning; constructive placement; cross-town switching; custom underframe car; rules for handling explosives; dunnage/wooden pallets to shipper.

Harold Henderson talks about his education, the short time he spent with the Tennessee Central, and completing his education. Started with NC&StL as secretary then on to the Claims Division. Came to the L&N as an attorney in position of assistant to the general counsel. Depression years. Background of NC&StL and its relationship to the L&N. Differences and commonalities between the two railroads. Size of the law staff at L&N much larger. Comments on the law staff here. 1955 strike and the job that Henderson manned during the strike in Centralized Traffic Control (CTC). Comments on law hearing that involved William L. Grubbs (tapes 801-802). Tax ratio study that was worked on in Washington DC and New York City. 1960s: Began legislative activities as they related to the L&N railroad. Questions, problems, litigation. Procedure for setting up legislative activities. Activities with the state government. Example of government/Lamp;N cooperation was the moving of the tracks in Lexington, Kentucky. Explanation of Henderson's broadened activities from 1968 on. In 1968 he was made general attorney in charge of all legislative activities in 13 states (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and North Carolina among them). Collection of accounts and filing litigation. Comments on Board of Directors resolutions, work as assistant to Chief Counsel William L. Grubbs, and other subjects. Some cases of importance to Henderson's work career: L&N v. Southern Railway, State of Georgia case, and suit against the Cleancoal Company. Changes over the years.

E. L. Howard was employed as a locomotive engineer for 39 years by the L&N Railroad. This interview deals with his experiences in the transportation field including the age of steam.

Alene Janes is a housewife living in the Louisville area who was among hundreds of women employed by the L&N Railroad during World War II. Main topics: Family connections with the L&N Railroad; work at the L&N local freight office; work situation for women during World War II; Mrs. Janes' father's work experiences including a connection with Black Louisville artist Bert Hurley; L&N connections with South Louisville neighborhoods; train trips over the years.

William Kendall talks about his experiences prior to joining the L&N: Pennsylvania Atlantic Coast Line; and the Clinchfield railroads. 1954 Assistant to L&N president John Tilford, just prior to 1955 strike. Some reflections on the strike and its effect on the railroad. Improvement of labor relations from that point on. Merger of NC&StL in 1957; groundwork done before Kendall came to L&N. Board of Directors of L&N and ACL under the chairmanship of ALM Wiggins. Gradual change in makeup of the board continuing until the late 1960s. Change in meeting place and financial offices. Technological changes, the diesel and its importance to the railroad. Steam elimination and the adaptability of personnel. Modernization of the yards: Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and DeCoursey. Increase of tonnage made modernization necessary. Replacement cars and increased capacity of carriers. Investment tax credits for new purchases. Decline in passenger service, poor financial return, coming of Amtrack. Consolidation period and cooperation in common areas for saving among the Family Lines under the Seaboard Coast Lines. Plans for retirement and process of selection of successor, Prime Osborn. Background for his present partnership with Cleancoal Terminals. Kendall's association with various directorates. Brief description of family life during these years. Development of young talent within an organization.

Last hour of program broadcast on WUOL using excerpts from oral history tapes from the L&N Oral History Series. Restrictions: no certificate of gift.

Annie Ruth Laird is retired from the South Louisville Shops and is one of hundreds of women hired by the L&N to work during World War II. Main topics: introduction to Laird's work years at the South Louisville Shops; description of the atmosphere and work activities at the shops; important years of change for minority employees: 1950-1960; daily living conditions such as clothing requirements and lunch facilities; comments on the changes during the 1970s; wrap-up thoughts on working for the L&N Railroad.

Early life and education. Was a Hollerith clerk at beginning of work experience with L&N. Larkin describes this period when these machines functioned as the forerunners of IBM machines. Good description of the punchcard and the information it carried. IBM brought out Hollerith and then with the coming of World War II, the computers began to take work projects from many different departments. Procedure for disbursement described. This covers the time period from 1920 into the 1960s. Resistance and/or astonishment as to the areas that the computers would be able to handle. Discussion of payrolls and the explanation of the changes over from the auditor of disbursements from 1963-1968. Creation of the Management and Information Services Department and its function. Examples of the work done by this group include: jobs from all chief clerks; jobs from other departments; and stock records from the L&N common stock. Example of how bills with errors would be noted by the computer and adjusted where necessary. Comments on car accounting, Cybernetics & Systems, Inc., and its relationship to the L&N, use of computers in Chicago before computers were on location here in Louisville.

17 years old when employed by L&N. Recollections on the East Louisville Yards during the 1920s. Ms. Larkin worked as a stenographer for 11 years and then as a rate clerk. Descriptions of the clerical shifts, veterinarian, mechanical personnel, and local industry as it related to L&N (example: Ballard & Ballard Mill and the Bourbon Stock Yards). Competing railroads for local business. Explanation of L&N procedure for cutback and reassignment of personnel (roll-out). How this procedure moved Larkin to the Accounting Department at 9th and Broadway. During this time there were several consolidations of service measures instigated by the L&N (1931). General Office in 1931 and how the consolidation of services affected station agents. Explanation of accounting terms and procedures as they relate to the L&N Railroad. Additional descriptions of the main office building at 9th and Broadway. Elliot Fisher Group described along with various topics: large amounts of scrap metal sent to Japan; hiring of women during both wars; central accounting bureau and procedures. Computerization of the accounting department and loss of personnel, union activities, station accounts, and physical arrangement of the divisions of the accounting department. Changes that took place prior to move to the Jacksonville headquarters of the Seaboard Coast Lines Industries. This transfer was completed in June 1980.

17 years old when employed by L&N. Recollections on the East Louisville Yards during the 1920s. Ms. Larkin worked as a stenographer for 11 years and then as a rate clerk. Descriptions of the clerical shifts, veterinarian, mechanical personnel, and local industry as it related to L&N (example: Ballard & Ballard Mill and the Bourbon Stock Yards). Competing railroads for local business. Explanation of L&N procedure for cutback and reassignment of personnel (roll-out). How this procedure moved Larkin to the Accounting Department at 9th and Broadway. During this time there were several consolidations of service measures instigated by the L&N (1931). General Office in 1931 and how the consolidation of services affected station agents. Explanation of accounting terms and procedures as they relate to the L&N Railroad. Additional descriptions of the main office building at 9th and Broadway. Elliot Fisher Group described along with various topics: large amounts of scrap metal sent to Japan; hiring of women during both wars; central accounting bureau and procedures. Computerization of the accounting department and loss of personnel, union activities, station accounts, and physical arrangement of the divisions of the accounting department. Changes that took place prior to move to the Jacksonville headquarters of the Seaboard Coast Lines Industries. This transfer was completed in June 1980.

Lemley discusses his railroad career which began in 1941 and ended with his retirement in 1976.

Experiences prior to employment by L&N, early years, work at Ballard & Ballard. Events leading to employment with L&N. Education at Louisville Girl's High School and in Cincinnati, Ohio. Description of the L&N in 1917, one of two women in building -- tells of how it was a man's world, talks about engineering language and record keeping. Sketches of various personalities in the Engineering Department: William Howard Courtenay, chief engineer; Allen Snellen, supervisor of bridges & buildings; LR Muhs, assistant bridge engineer and Charles K. Bruce. Description of the first L&N building and the addition at 9th & Broadway. Anecdotes on bridge construction experiences. Generosity of L&N employees for various causes. Washout on the Short Line and Liebknecht's actions in Courtenay's absence. Rotation of engineers throughout the L&N system and upward movement into the Executive Department. Diamond Jubilee of L&N (1925), founding of the L&N Magazine, Thomas E. Owen was editor. The presidency of Wible O. Mapother. This discussion covers the earliest L&N publication Lively Lines, the L&N Magazine and the present publication Family Lines. Ms. Liebknecht's section was titled "Half-Fare" and "Of Feminine Interest." Effect of the Depression economy on the L&N. Hoover Days (four-day week) instituted so that all could work. No layoffs remembered at the L&N office in Louisville. World War II effort, participation of L&N in the War Bond effort and Liebknecht's recognition for her part. Dessie Scott Children's Home, Little Kentucky: relationship with L&N began in 1947. 1950s: 100th Anniversary of the L&N. Celebration was attended by hundreds including ALM Wiggins, then chairman of the board of directors of the L&N. Description of working conditions and increase in women employees from World War II years on. Telephone had displaced many persons. No inequities, particularly telegrapher in salary due to sex of employee. The importance of changes in technology during Liebknecht's working years. Liebknecht's work with the L&N Cooperative Club. 1960's and 1967: Great changes brought about by computerization and automation. Loss of personal touch. Growth of the engineering Department from approximately 70 to 140 during the years covered by the interview. Still not large number of women engineers. Civil engineer changes with age. Liebknecht's activities in poetry and writing. Articles in 1964 L&N Magazine and March 1971 Diana Awards. Louisville General Office Building personnel. Remarks about EC Fields a mistake (see enclosed clipping).

Father with L&N as master mechanic. Early experience as roadman, then as special apprentice in the South Louisville shops. Description of the South Louisville shops, JW Adams and the Roundhouse. Areas of interest included the dynamonica car and car equipment. Differences in the division terrain and the movement of engineers to divisions. Description of different round houses. Involvement in shipping material for war. Return to Louisville in 1948 as assistant master mechanic and promotion to general master mechanic. Building period in 1948 to make changes from war years. Changes to be made in car shop facilities and diesel repair. Boilermakers disappeared and electricians increased. Thoughts on the railroad fraternity, the sharing of knowledge and the competition among manufacturers of diesel locomotives. This tape deals with various innovations and types of cars needed for the more modern railroad, derailment considerations, test track, suppliers and the AAR (American Association of Railroads).

Educated in Virginia, newspaper experience in Lynchburg and Richmond. Work with the Associated Press in Richmond, New York, Nashville, and Washington, D.C, including administrative experience as AP Bureau Chief for Tennessee. Administrative assistant to Senator A. William Robertson of Virginia for the period 1947-1960. Reasons for moving to L&N in 1960: challenge in organizing the railroad's first public relations department. Expansion of public relations' functions to include a news bureau manned by Edison Thomas and Charles Castner. Promotion projects including production of films on L&N history and on the historic locomotive "The General." Use of The General for public service combined with emphasis on L&N progress. Innovative public relations projects: Use of The General, Kentucky arts and crafts train, films. Role of the public relations department in varied company activities: labor relations, government relations, community relations. Special events such as Lady Bird Special political train, special trains for inspection by company directors and business leaders. Rebuilding advertising programs as passenger service dwindled and disappeared. New emphasis on freight sales, promotion, and on corporate image. Cooperation with traffic department in developing advertising. Comments on public relations aspects of L&N expansion and mergers with NC&StL, the C&I, the Tennessee Central and the Monon railroads: media and community leader contacts. Changes in mission of L&N Magazine content aimed at customers and community leaders as well as employees, circulation split with "family section" going only to employees. Public relations' functions relating to company annual report, stockholders' meeting and special presentation of information. Positive aspects of L&N development and service during the 1960-1970 decade.

Clarence Monin was general chairman of the Engine Service Employees of L&N System & Affiliated Lines (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers). Main topics: family background and education; apprentice locomotive engineer program; specific articles in the BLE agreements such as hours of service; explanation of the National Manning Agreement and the Reserve Engineer Agreement; present and future trends in the training of locomotive engineering personnel; effect of civil rights and equal opportunity legislation; BLE grievance procedure; legislative concerns of the BLE; changes in union membership, attitude and trends for the future; comments on the 1955 strike against L&N railroad; positive changes in the management of the L&N Railroad.

Moore is retired from the L&N Railroad having served most of his years of employment with both the L&N and the NC&StL Railroads in the areas of personnel and labor relations. Main topics: background prior to employment with the L&N Railroad; World War II years and the effects on hiring and promotional procedures; labor problems and agreements from 1949 including merger consideration; Moore's transfer to Louisville and the differences in his work; procedures for handling labor disputes; massive re-education program for management and reclassification of jobs through setting descriptions for all jobs and crafts; changes in labor force due to improved technology; railroad labor organization; background on the operating and nonoperating crafts; insights into specific unions such as Brotherhood of Railroad and Airline Clerks; racial and minority considerations in personnel; the importance of unions today and future trends for training skilled personnel.

Moore is retired from the L&N Railroad having served most of his years of employment with both the L&N and the NC&StL Railroads in the areas of personnel and labor relations. Main topics: background prior to employment with the L&N Railroad; World War II years and the effects on hiring and promotional procedures; labor problems and agreements from 1949 including merger consideration; Moore's transfer to Louisville and the differences in his work; procedures for handling labor disputes; massive re-education program for management and reclassification of jobs through setting descriptions for all jobs and crafts; changes in labor force due to improved technology; railroad labor organization; background on the operating and nonoperating crafts; insights into specific unions such as Brotherhood of Railroad and Airline Clerks; racial and minority considerations in personnel; the importance of unions today and future trends for training skilled personnel.

Nicholson discusses his experiences with the railroad; WWII and his tenure with the National Railroad Historical Society are also discussed.

Interviewee describes her family background. Description of cold water flat and father's position as brakeman, flagman, and bagman for L&N. Working hours and types of people father worked with. Layoff from L&N and the financial hardships following. Father's work with WPA during Depression.

The narrator's conception of the major consideration for the development of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Main topics: American Railway Engineering Association; reorganization of the work force for track maintenance; hurricane repair repair experience; changes in: responsibilities on location, weight of loads, types of rails and scheduling bridge repairs; maintenance topics: modernization of bridge gangs and construction considerations; Osborn Yard construction; Critical Path Method; coal traffic by region; present and future trends; additional information on the American Railway Engineering Association.

Family connections with the L&N including Mrs. RoBards's father who was a Diamond Button man. The old L&N Magazine, the importance of its relation to the L&N family. The importance of the L&N to the growth of the following: industry (coal), institutions (colleges), and agriculture (South). RoBards deals with these items in great detail. Role of public relations and the L&N Magazine was to show how these industries relate: various colleges and universities, people of the South and the history of the railroad in the early years, and publicity of "The General" locomotive. Additional information of special trains include: Mammoth Cave trips, Friendly Service (safety emphasis), Kentucky Derby trains and the Bond Rollers. Various topics include: TOTE, dieselization of the railroad, the role of railroads in World War II, and the effects of trucking on the railroad system.

Curtis and Ernest Rollings trace their family history with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The interview also covers such topics as changes in technology, company policy, labor relations and Louisville's role as a rail transportation center in the state and the nation.

Early Life and education, immediate employment with the Atlantic Coast Line, description of the railroad in those early years, difficulty of building track through swamp, Florida still a very underdeveloped area. Move to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and years with the Charleston and Western Carolina railroad through the Depression years and on to Augusta, Georgia. Experience with the military railway service for 13 years. A very good description of the railroad's role in the conduct of World War II. Includes General Patton's operation and working the troop supplies across Europe. Techniques brought back to the Atlantic Coast Line. Continued innovations brought from Europe. Return to civilian life and the ACL headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina, and various positions held by Sanderson. Leadership of the ACL of Mac Davis, the Delano family, and then ALM Wiggins to consolidate some areas of operation. Historical background of the ACL and the L&N's connection with the Clinchfield railroad. Interstate Commerce Commission's stipulations concerning the lease. Clinchfield has for many years been under the influence of the Norfolk & Western railroad. Wiggins brought the railroad into its present importance. Modernization of the Clinchfield during Sanderson's years as general manager (1954-1962). Continued dieselization of the Clinchfield and descriptive passages on the people and the area covered by this railroad. Move to L&N in 1962 as General Manager. Was able to take part in the continuing modernization of the L&N. Description of the difference in the terrain and maintenance considerations on the ACL and the L&N. Positive aspects that Sanderson noted from the beginning of his experience with the L&N. The handling of chemicals as it relates historically.

Early life and college years; employment with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. Depression and his apprenticeship program. Maintenance of the steam locomotives, wartime measures, description of the NC&StL shops during the steam locomotive days, terrain of the NC&StL. Responsibility in Nashville shops: to develop new sources of steam for the shop boilers (burning oil), types of locomotives, instructions for car diesels and the teaching responsibility for apprentices and locomotive firemen to engineers. Merger of the NC&StL and the L&N in 1957. Mr. Sapp was assistant manager of planning and production. Comparison of the NC&StL equipment and that of the L&N. Train crews continued to operate on the same lines as before. There was a learning period for Sapp with WI Johnson in charge. This was the beginning of his experience with freight cars. Moved to the L&N on Jan 1, 1953, and appointed mechanical engineer. He describes the mechanical engineer's office and staff at that time. Large amount of travel involved. Areas of technical development that Sapp was directly involved in until his retirement: design of freight cars; split sill car underframe patented; door mechanism also patented; needed special operation (air pressure used) in Louisville South shops. Good description of the pits and conveyor belts used at the TVA plant at Bull Run; working out of the audio radio system with supplier field testing for freight cars and the American Association of Railroads called in to help. Test track set up near Frankfort that became the specification track for the AAR. Information on the Car Construction Committee of the AAR. Information on other professional organizations that Sapp felt useful during his career.

C.W. (Wes) Shores was the General Chairman of the L&N side of the SCL/L&N System Board of the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks (BRAC) working at the Union headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. Main topics: background on early experiences concerning railroad yards; synopsis of Shores' union career advancements; description of the structure and present leadership of the union on the System Board and International levels; duties and responsibilities of the Louisville headquarters; grievance and claim procedures; procedure of moving BRAC employees to the Jacksonville area; benefits for employees initiated and negotiated by BRAC including activities connected with the 1955 strike against the L&N railroad; comments on merger experiences with various lines; description of the range of positions covered by the BRAC agreements; comments on equal opportunity hiring; additional personal comments on educational background.

Experience prior to working at the L&N. 1940: to Mobile and experiences in WWII effort. 1941-1942: to Louisville, chief in Engineering Department. 1942: to Corbin. Wartime; new tracks into military facilities. 1943-1944: centralized billing for coal shipments from Eastern Kentucky, DeCoursey. Preliminary study of present Osborn Yard. Birmingham, 1946: description of wartime Birmingham. Use of diesel for freight and passenger, first switch engines. Different types of locomotives, problems in change over, diesel to eastern Kentucky to mainline the Clinchfield. Human qualities of steam engine. Hearing for manpower required by diesels - GP Loco - Eisenhower Rules Commission. Bud car feasibility not related to labor considerations. 1954: most of L&N dieselized; 1956: last steam engine locomotive for L&N. Merger of NC&StL: Mr. Small conducted preliminary study on the feasibility of merger without consulting NC&StL. After merger consideration had to be made about cutbacks of duplicate lines. Small's public relation assignment to work with those opposing the cutbacks to the line. Feelings on the part of Nashville interest. Comparison of the NC&StL merger with that of L&N consolidation with Seaboard Coast Line Industries. 1950s-1960s: climate for work relationships at the L&N. Changes in technology in 1957 on-assignment to work on computerization. Increase in number and types of rolling stock. Hurricane damage and precautions: 40-42 days maximum time lost due to damage. L&N's role in communities in various states. Passenger service and Amtrak. Studies on cutting back or dropping service. Small's role in explaining these adjustments. Process of cutbacks. Early 1970s: birth of Amtrak, last L&N run renamed the Floridian. Cutback in service was for economic reasons. Future predictions. Passenger types most often using the L&N for transportation. Changes from 1971 and Mr. Kendall's retirement as president till Mr Small's retirement in 1977.

Rebecca Smith is a retired South Louisville shops employee. She was among a large group of women hired by the L&N Railroad during World War II. Main topics: early life and jobs before employment with the L&N; work experiences in Shop 13; work experiences in Shop 14; importance of the union (International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers) for women workers; reflections on race relations at the South Louisville shops; condition of the rail cars cleaned by Smith; limitation of facilities for women employees; limitation experienced by women employees that made transition to the skilled crafts difficult; work experiences at Strawberry Yard (good description of all phases of work done by women); additional work experiences after returning to the South Louisville shops; wrap up and personal items about Ms. Smith's life.

Rebecca Smith is a retired South Louisville shops employee. She was among a large group of women hired by the L&N Railroad during World War II. Main topics: early life and jobs before employment with the L&N; work experiences in Shop 13; work experiences in Shop 14; importance of the union (International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers) for women workers; reflections on race relations at the South Louisville shops; condition of the rail cars cleaned by Smith; limitation of facilities for women employees; limitation experienced by women employees that made transition to the skilled crafts difficult; work experiences at Strawberry Yard (good description of all phases of work done by women); additional work experiences after returning to the South Louisville shops; wrap up and personal items about Ms. Smith's life.

Early life in Alabama at Tuskegee High School and Miles Memorial College. Family moved to Kentucky. Contact with the L&N began through older brother Fred. Hired by EO Stocker for dining car position at 10th and Broadway location. Sent to Cincinnati to learn how to conduct Pullman service. Stewart provided all clothes except for black bow tie. Soldier specials, inspectors and meal tickets from officer in charge. Drafted in 1943. Returned to L&N after World War II. Proud of reputation for best dining car service in the United States. Friendship with important people. Businessmen's train from Birmingham to Nashville then Pullman from Louisville to New York. Stewart knew their likes and dislikes. Attendant on political specials for Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and former presidential candidate Thomas E. Dewey. Procedure for preparing special trains. Special security measures for the safety of the passengers. Lady Bird Johnson special. Mr Long: head of transportation for the White House. Makeup of passengers on the trains. Insights on Alabama race relations. Race relations at the L&N and methods of adapting. Before and after unions: sleeping on floor or cots in dining car. Black coach for most Black passengers; some runs, Blacks not allowed on dining cars at all. Conditions of Black coach and exceptions of certain Blacks riding Pullman (on standby). L&N policy after the Civil Rights Law of 1964. Positive example of President Hill's actions during the segregated years in regard to Dr. Boyd of the Baptist Publishing House in Nashville. People taking advantage of the L&N's excellent dining car service. How Mr. Stewart was able not to become bitter over racial slurs, etc. Early experiences on Atlanta streetcar gave Mr. Stewart guide for handling racial slurs, etc. Personal settlements of disagreements with management. Reasons for passing up opportunity to become first Black steward for the L&N. An important consideration was the loss in seniority in changing from waiter-in-charge to steward. Job security: national union salary negotiations - men drawing full salary then no work when passenger service declined. Murphy House was opened up to compensate for lack of service opportunities. Discord caused by of non-dining car duties assigned at the Murphy House. Stewart's steps to see that the national union aware of his grievances. Unsatisfactory working conditions on Amtrak plus other considerations led to Stewart's resignation from L&N. Discussion of events leading to decision to resign Jan 2, 1973. Felt there was policy of trying to turn one Black against another. Deals with Louie Stewart's father HP Stewart (born 1876). H. P. Stewart's parents were enslaved people. HP Stewart was one of two Blacks in Alabama to hold a lifetime teaching certificate at the time Governor Patterson invited all certificate holders to a reception in Montgomery (approximately 1939). An interesting account of this man's contribution to Black education in Alabama.

Early life: L&N at Middlesboro, Tennessee, L&N 1919 on. Made fuel instructor of the Cumberland Valley Division, age 20. Reasons for the improper back pressure to steam and problems it caused. Promotions through word of mouth among employees. Education by self-study. Safe method of using the air-brake on passenger and freight locomotives. Conservation engineer working on solutions to coal smoke problems concerned with hydrogen gases. Transferred to L&N in Louisville. Various innovations in smoke abatement devices on steam locomotives, boilers in the power house at Louisville shops. President Hill's years at the L&N. Importance of buying clean coal. Justice Potter Stewart's connection to coal facilities in western Kentucky. Blue Diamond Coal Mine in Eastern Kentucky provided quality of coal required.

Covers Milton Smith from 1866 on -- ran locomotive for General Sherman. History of L&N prior to Milton Smith, local fund raising. Headquarters at 9th & Broadway, 8 miles first ride to present Strawberry Yards. About 1858 L&N Louisville tracks met north of Bowling Green. The change from local ownership to New York domination; position of L&N after Civil War; New York financiers; Atlantic Coast Line connection. Leadership under William Kendall and John Tilford. Merger of NC&StL, explanation for modern mergers. Interstate Commerce Commission, reasons behind formation. Increased railroad expenses. Promotional campaigns: The General, removal from Chattanooga February 1962, history and restoration. Given to Georgia. Special cars. Career opportunities with L&N Magazine. Railfans and the Sulzer collection. Modernization of the L&N railroad. Centralized traffic control. Microwave system-signaling, telephones, computers. Development of railroad's private telephone system, two-way radio, closed circuit television. Connected regulations. Classification yards, uncoupling trains, sorting cars for new loads - types of cars and methods for shipping to proper yards and customers. Rental process and load time on various cars, adjustments for products hauled by railroad, coal market. Improve car accounting process. Press relations. Investigative reporting, change in attitude toward L&N. Positive L&N community actions. Community responsibility and public relations. Involvement with railroad and its image. Employee loyalty and the L&N Magazine. People connected to the L&N Magazine: Tom Owen, Kincaid Kerr, Martin RoBards, William Heffren and Charles Castner. Kincaid Kerr's edition of L&N History. Research and responsibility for preservation of materials. Structure of L&N under John Tilford and William Kendall. Land development, agricultural to industrial. Cybernetics and System - subsidiary now selling time to other companies. Legal structure, attorneys and doctors along the line. Railroad towns, services for employees, old railroad YMCA. Changes in personnel including minorities and women. Black firemen and switching in the southern states. Reasons behind families of railroad tradition. Reasons for male secretaries throughout most of L&N's history. Articles on minorities in first time positions. Management and labor. Change in policy of executives moving up from ranks of employment. Labor still based on seniority in relation to leadership.

Covers Milton Smith from 1866 on -- ran locomotive for General Sherman. History of L&N prior to Milton Smith, local fund raising. Headquarters at 9th & Broadway, 8 miles first ride to present Strawberry Yards. About 1858 L&N Louisville tracks met north of Bowling Green. The change from local ownership to New York domination; position of L&N after Civil War; New York financiers; Atlantic Coast Line connection. Leadership under William Kendall and John Tilford. Merger of NC&StL, explanation for modern mergers. Interstate Commerce Commission, reasons behind formation. Increased railroad expenses. Promotional campaigns: The General, removal from Chattanooga February 1962, history and restoration. Given to Georgia. Special cars. Career opportunities with L&N Magazine. Railfans and the Sulzer collection. Modernization of the L&N railroad. Centralized traffic control. Microwave system-signaling, telephones, computers. Development of railroad's private telephone system, two-way radio, closed circuit television. Connected regulations. Classification yards, uncoupling trains, sorting cars for new loads - types of cars and methods for shipping to proper yards and customers. Rental process and load time on various cars, adjustments for products hauled by railroad, coal market. Improve car accounting process. Press relations. Investigative reporting, change in attitude toward L&N. Positive L&N community actions. Community responsibility and public relations. Involvement with railroad and its image. Employee loyalty and the L&N Magazine. People connected to the L&N Magazine: Tom Owen, Kincaid Kerr, Martin RoBards, William Heffren and Charles Castner. Kincaid Kerr's edition of L&N History. Research and responsibility for preservation of materials. Structure of L&N under John Tilford and William Kendall. Land development, agricultural to industrial. Cybernetics and System - subsidiary now selling time to other companies. Legal structure, attorneys and doctors along the line. Railroad towns, services for employees, old railroad YMCA. Changes in personnel including minorities and women. Black firemen and switching in the southern states. Reasons behind families of railroad tradition. Reasons for male secretaries throughout most of L&N's history. Articles on minorities in first time positions. Management and labor. Change in policy of executives moving up from ranks of employment. Labor still based on seniority in relation to leadership.

Mr. Thompson was a telegrapher for the Clinchfield Railroad. Tried Southern Railroad, then moved over to L&N at 17. He worked a yard assignment, then on the road in April 1918. He talks about: types of engines fired, description of engines, pay from Cincinnati to Louisville. Routes worked ditching machines. Types of L&N engines. Engines made at the South Louisville Shops. How nickname was acquired. Individuals along the route that watch for the train. Saw-by term explained and example of close call with head on collision. People killed or hurt by trains. Family relationship with railroad. Anecdote about flood. Poems, language, railroad slang. "General" story. Personalized engines. Phasing out steam engines. Use of telegraph skills. Biggest changes in railroad procedures; electric blocks. Names attached to areas along the route, railroad men's stop along the way, ordering lunches for passengers. Famous passengers: General Pershing, John L. Lewis, President FD Roosevelt. Comparison of salaries over the years. 1955 strike, scabs. L&N presidents served under. Emphasis on growth of the railroad. Runs served on and favorite engineers. Modernization of process by which engineers received orders. Process of becoming an engineer.

Introduction: Narrator's family background and its long connection with the coal fields and the railroads of the eastern United States. Main topics: background on the Clinchfield Railroad and its role in industrial development in the Atlantic coast areas; importance of coal traffic to the L&N Railroad; history of the three major coal reserves: eastern Kentucky; western Kentucky; and northern Alabama; coal routes and changes in both railroad and mining technology; description of the major coal types and the uses of each.

Family background and early years with other railroads: Southern and the Pennsylvania, for more than 16 years. Left Penn Railroad to sell railroad accessories. Total of 20 years spent in railroading, mostly with the Union Switch and Signaling Company in New York City, Pittsburgh and Chicago. Came to position at L&N by acquaintance with Mr. Kendall at the Pennsylvania Railroad. At L&N, organized advanced program maintenance and capital expenditure; promoted togetherness of the L&N family and positive feelings. Reorganized accounting department, started public relations; justified to the president all expenditures. Procedures for request from various depts. and presentation to the board of directors for all money spent. Discussion of the Osborn Yard in Louisville. Osborn Yard and the importance of Telex system and real time to L&N. South Louisville shops and the bad order ratio of rolling stock; renovation and new machinery; one stop repair satellite shops. Budgetary process: preplanning and projected needs, meeting with department heads, emergency measures, close relationship with deparments and their heads. Holding companies formed by the railroads to diversify their services. Transportation field from the manufacturing side rather than of the railroad. Maintenance of way, communication and signal needs, national microwave system, package deals and systems of equipment, government funding of highway crossing and flasher gates, railroads' roles in developing research such as test tracks, having railroad using department to generate ideas and where there is competition and cooperation among railroad or suppliers. Mergers, positive and negative aspects of recent mergers and pending mergers recalled.

Overview: 1926 L&N track man until 1928. Rejoined the L&N in 1948; reflections on President Harry Truman, Thomas Dewey and events of that campaign. Talked with President Truman about problems of segregation. Experiences of pre-integration. Events on day Martin Luther King was assassinated. Turning in purse lost on Derby Day led Owen White being moved into Mr. Kendall's private offices. Attached to boat Cloe Bee for seven years. Had opportunity to make many contacts. Later worked at Guest House at 4201 Tournament Lane. Examples of interesting opportunities, taking players to Master's Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Description of being track man in 1920 and type of lodging that was standard. Feelings about Roosevelt, Thompson Restaurant, Henry Bickel's, Watterson Hotel, and sharing among people in the 1930s. In the 1940s, L&N needed workers and rejoined. Talks about segregation on L&N RR. Reflections on segregation procedures. Other transportation experiences north and south. Comparison of wartime Macon, Georgia and the present date, 1980. Reasons for remaining in Louisville, different pressures in railroad position and regular day-to-day life. Explanation of railroad passes. 1950: Changes to keep passenger services going. Scheduling problems with being on the president's staff. Greater Salem Baptist Church. Supplemental check and explanation of straight salary. Union benefits and experiences, strike of 1956. Integration experiences for son at Male High School. Money raising experiences at Male in 1960 as they relate to racial relations. Attachment to Mr. Kendall's office, difference in attitude towards Mr. Jones, people served. Lost financial security with last position, relationship with other blacks, other individual, Southern politics, possibilities of black power in relations with whites.

Early years in Louisville and his marriage. Circumstances surrounding his employment at L&N. Different cooks that he worked with on the L&N diners. Method of cooking and stocking diners, types of equipment, coal burning stoves, and resupply procedures. Menu and effects of World War II on the regular menu. Differences in hours before and after the union took over workers. Description of away quarters and monetary considerations on layovers. Changes by unionization - gains offset cutbacks. Public relations very minimal therefore no negative racial aspects of his job. Special runs such as trips to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Chamber of Commerce trips to eastern and western Kentucky. Differences in manning special runs. Attachment to executive office and worked as porter by night to be free for private cars in the daytime. White's experiences at the Murphy House: guests, description of the house and methods of entertaining. Living arrangements for the White family while assigned to the Murphy House; furnishings and day-to-day considerations for care of the house. Pleasures of working with various individuals connected with the L&N railroad. Reasons behind family feeling of L&N employees. Diner allotment and term "dead-end" explained. Swing shift explained; crews per diner, variety of diners, types of fuel used to fire stoves and the duration of meals.

Miami City ticket agent in 1928; Atlantic Coast Line & Seaboard Coast Line. Promoted to city passenger agent in 1929 in New York City; went to Wall Street on Oct 29, the day the stock market fell. Job cut back, returned to Duke University. Peninsula & Occidental Ship Line position in Havana, Cuba - 8 years. Mr. Davies, President Atlantic Coast Line, offered job in Wilmington, North Carolina. Circumstances of meeting JB Hill. Became general passenger agent to New Orleans in July 1942. Connection between ACL, Bet-A-Million Gates, JP Morgan, Henry Walters, and the take over of L&N stock. New Orleans, passenger service, military trains, first diesel and JB Hill's attitude. JB Hill and Charles Kettering of General Motors, research on improving diesels. Investments into trying to continue to maintain passenger service, phase out local passenger service and problems encountered, specialties in the dining car. Decline of passenger travel tied to airlines and development of the interstate highway system in 1950s. Involvement of railroads and Whitsett in attempt to save passenger service, arrangements with other railroads, description of passenger accommodations, railroad's continued support of passenger service until it was obviously financially impossible to continue. Budd car possible answer but resistance by labor unions made it impossible for L&N to utilize. Work rule 100 miles=day/run/pay. Changes in union leaders' attitude was reflected in quality of work after civil rights activities began - helped to destroy passenger service. Railroad did not have control over service situation. Community relations and the responsibility of the position. Similarity between the railroad & military structure. Age factor in the L&N management. Stenographer for 40 years or more. Explanation of Traffic/Freight Traffic Department. Reflections of Kendall's presidency.

Background prior to coming to L&N. Apprenticeship with L&N and rise through the ranks to Vice-President for Operations. Wiggins' father's experience with L&N, 1922; Decatur, 1937: to Louisville. Apprenticeship program. Change in types of craftsmen needed by the railroad. Loyalty to steam and threat to coal interest as the diesels took hold. War period: machinists and other craftsmen not drafted. Craftsmen and atmosphere of work at the South Louisville shops, safety emphasis. Reflections on role of Mr. Wiggins' generation, innovation and modernization, reduction on the amount of labor required for certain jobs and centralized traffic control. Discussion of microwave, computers. Modernization of train yards such as Osborn Yard. In-depth analysis of reasons for diesel superiority over steam engines: maintenance, manpower, air pollution. Freight cars, roller bearing improvement, hot box, car shaker, unit train operation. Coal transfer process and unit train, Paradise, Kentucky mine to mouth operation unloading improvements, air cylinder and door mechanism. South Louisville shops, importance in relation to other shops in the system, reflections of great railroad families: EO Rollings, Curtis Rollings, EO Rollings, Jr. Last ten years with L&N and the consolidation with the Family Lines System. Reflections on leadership.

Mr. Womack worked for many years for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway before it was merged with the L&N Railroad. This interview covers his return to full-time work after college on G.I. Bill. From 1949-1953, he was an operator in various locations in Alabama and Tennessee and an official in 1953. Discusses the 1955 strike and the merger with L&N in 1957.

Mr. Womack worked for many years for the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway before it was merged with the L&N Railroad. He is an expert on operating rules for the Family Lines and serves as Superintendent: Rules, Safety & Rules Compliance. Tape has interference that hinders the sound quality.