Dan Sylvester Retires                                   

Wisconsin Division

38 Years of service

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Friday, November, 12, 2004, Wisconsin Division Conductor Dan Sylvester made his last trips between Kenosha and Chicago and retired with some 38 years of service.  Mark Llanuza made a special trip to the CPT that morning to meet Train No. 326 and get a few photos.  Mark checked in at the Glass House to let them know what he was going to do and to avoid any possible complications; observing at the time that, unlike in the North Western days, none of the UP officials were taking any notice that a 38 year veteran was making his last inbound morning trip.  No. 326 pulled in on Track 15 right at 9:15 am and Mark got a few shots which we have below.

 

Dan says good bye to one of his “regulars.”

Here’s another lady who will miss him.

Tom Wolf, Engineer Jim “Grizz” Patterson & Dan

“Grizz” & Dan leaving Track 15.

 

Friday evening, Dan made his final trip on No. 349 back to Kenosha.  But, let’s let Dan tell it.  “I made my last run on No. 349 on Friday, November 12.  It was a trip to remember.  The passengers held a party for me.  Even had a group from my previous assignment that rode with me for eleven years.  It sure was a surprise to see them.  My wife came along and took some pictures. I’ll go downtown Monday morning to clean out my locker, relinquish my rights and make it official.  Now, I’ll have time to do all the things I never had time to do because I was busy being what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I have no regrets, it was a great trip.  I’ll miss you guys.”

 

Dan, Tom Wolf & a whole carload of Dan’s friends.

Dan, about to leave Lake Bluff.  Only 4 more stops!

Dan & Sol McClinton, his swing collector

This one says it all!

 

Epilog

I took the train to Chicago Monday and made it official.  I got my plaque, the Union Pacific claimed me for 38 entire years.  In my heart, I retired and will always be a Chicago and North Western veteran.  To be precise it was 37 years, 9 months, and 2 days. Most humbling was the send off my passengers gave me.  I guess they liked me.  I got my last train order on No. 349, reading it brought me to tears.  I have it already framed and have hanging next to my favorite easy chair. 

A long time back, I think it was the late ‘70’s; I was braking for Lee Anthony on the night Can job.  He was planning to take early retirement when he reached age 60.  At that time, one took quite a cut for leaving at age 60.  I ask him why he didn't want to stick it out another two years to get a full pension.  He replied, "Because you only get so much time, kid."  Shortly after, I took a couple weeks vacation and when I called the caller to return to work, he asked if I wanted to take the conductor’s job.  I ask where Lee had gone.  He replied, "He died while you were on vacation."  That's something I never forgot and the reason I retired as soon as I could.

 

Shortly after Dan tied up that evening, he saw to it that his hat was properly retired.  It now resides at Kenosha in a place of honor at Mike Arsier’s Tavern.

Here’s Mike Arsier and Norma Vettese on 4/13/05.  The hat is up, out of the picture a bit to the right.  Thanks to Joe Vettese for these last two pictures.

 

 

 

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Posted:  11/17/04

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