Tomorrow we employees of the Union Pacific begin working under a revised General Code of Operating Rules. So, with the new rulebook comes a fresh version of the System Special Instructions, which is important for making the rules and their applications specific to the UP, and for presenting UP’s often-unique signal aspects and indications.
This time, the SSI book has a note on the back:
The 2010 Union Pacific System Special Instructions is dedicated to John Malcom in appreciation of 44 years of outstanding service. We are forever grateful for your creativity and shared insight and guidance.
Mr. Malcom has been the Rules Manager for a number of Union Pacific service units (parts of the railroad’s Northern and Southern Regions), including ours. I’ve never met him in person, though he’s reputed to have had his office at Proviso, and the telephone number he used seemed right for that. I do recall a couple of times when rules needed interpretation, and he was just a phone call away. Apparently, he has recently retired, since his name is no longer in its usual place on the inside front cover.
Certainly he had a great reputation across the entire railroad to rate a tribute like that–the first time I’ve ever seen anything like it. What a guy–and what a railroad, to single him out like that!
Carl:
From time to time within these threads Union Pacific seems to come out on the short end of various individual’s ire, real or imagined ( sometimes it seems because it is at times “Fashionable”).
I for one would agree it is a class act, from my limited experiences. From living in Parsons, Ks and dealing with various employees regarding the Katy Days celerations, and attendant exhibits. Interactions with the Steam Exhibitions Team, and one on one with various employees from time to time. They all seem proud of the jobs they do and the Company they work for.
Witness recently the 2010 Boy Scout Commemoration Locomotive and the exhibitions around involving the Heritage Fleet. How about the 'Street Train" exhibition unit? [bow]
I agree it is a class act.[2c]
If Santa Fe had only done that for Leo Rekush in our standard plans book. (Diningcar probably remembers that sad story) BN had nothing even vaguely like him. Maybe put him in the BNSF Std. Plan book (as much as I dislike that unwieldy “thing” which reeks of old NP, right down to the numbering system)
kudos to Uncle Pete.[bow]
I couldn’t agree more. Its a great way to remember a man who had arguably one of the toughest jobs on the system. He had a great career and provided much to the safety and operations that most of us will never realize. His diligance for his job made the UP what it is today. I never got to work with him directly, but it says a lot to dedicate something with as much importance as an SSI to him.
Last summer, BNSF named a new spot for Walter Breuning, the country’s oldest man (at 113) “Walter Junction”. It is the connection with the Broadview Sub. going about 30-miles to the new Signal Mountain coal mine. BNSF Pres./CEO Matt Rose was there for the dedication. Mr. B. is still alive, and well, in Great Falls, MT. He hired-on with the Great Northern in 1913 and had over 50-years of service with the railroad.
Hays