The Winter 2010 edition of the Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen Journal arrived in my mailbox this afternoon. It was a Special Convention Issue highlighting events of the BLET's 2nd National Convention after joining the Teamsters but what caught my eye was the cover photo. It was Steve Carter's January 29, 2010 photo taken during the 2010 Tracks In The Snow event.

[www.altamontpress.com]
[www.railpictures.net]

Also of interest to me was a full-page article regarding senior BLET Vice President Merle W. Geiger Jr. who is retiring at the end of this month after 44 years on the railroad including 27 years as union representative starting in the Local Division 758 and advancing to the BLE International / BLET National Office. When I was hostling on the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway in the 1960s Merle was my hostler helper at various times after he entered engine service. I fired steam on the SP&S for his father, Merle W. Geiger Sr., who was also a union officer locally for many years.