Robert Grove

The May Olympia Clinic occurred May 11th at the Tea Leaf II restaurant, where the food is good. Approximately 30 persons attended to learn about “Working for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul & Pacific Railroad”, presented by Bob Butler.

Following graduation from the University of Washington In 1968 Bob Butler went to work for the Milwaukee Road Engineering Department on the Coast Division headquartered at Tacoma, WA. Bob worked at Tacoma from 1968 to mid 1974 when he was transferred to the La Crosse Division at La Crosse, WI. In mid 1975 he was transferred back to Tacoma to be the Project Engineer of the new Fife Yard. Bob left the Milwaukee Road in February 1978 after the Milwaukee Road went into bankruptcy in November 1977 and cancelled the Fife Yard project.

During his 10 years with the Milwaukee, he took many color slides both on and off duty. After leaving the Milwaukee, he continued to take slides during the shutdown west of Harlowton, MT beginning in March 1980 and subsequent demolition of facilities, through 1981. A small portion of the Coast Division tracks are still in service by UP, BNSF, and assorted short lines.

Bob presented 287 slides which had been digitized. They showed the various aspects of a Division Maintenance Engineer’s position. This included inspection, repair, and construction of tracks, bridges, buildings, and signals. The Engineering Department responded to derailments, washouts, slides, snow service, and fires. The number one priority was to get the mainline open as no revenue was being generated and detours on competitive railroads was very expensive. Track and bridge inspection was done by walking, motor car, hi rail and riding trains in engine cabs and cars. Many of the slides showed track gangs and rail gangs in action. The job often demanded immediate response, especially if the mainline was out of service. Duties also included accident investigation and testifying in court.

The final slides covered placing fill for the new Fife Yard. About 3/4 of the fill was placed before the yard project was terminated. The fill was delivered by train daily 5 days a week from a pit near Rainier, WA. The UP RR later bought the Fife Yard area and installed 1/2 of the trackage planned by the Milwaukee.

The presentation concluded with a question and answer session.

Thank you, Bob!