ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW

E. C. Honath

Track supervisor Ardmore.

Russell: After your career, period in this capacity were you then assigned.

Honath: Just before the Dallas line was put in service I worked on construction and location (of Dallas Line). I went to Ardmore Oklahoma and worked as track Supervisor between Gene Autrey Oklahoma and Dalton Jct. That was a result of the additional track constructed on the Dallas District. Then I went down to relive roadmaster Mason at Temple, Texas for two months. Then went to the Chief Engineer's Office Galveston for six months or so. Then went to Chicago as Assistant Engineer on a job that was basically developing machinery and testing machinery for various types of mechanized gangs which included steel gang tie gang s grouting gangs and so forth.

Russell: You said you ran a tracksupervisors territory what types of equipment were they supplied with at that time?

Honath: Well you had a M-19 motor car and a cloth windshield and a you had what they called a Kennedy kit a tool box in that you carried your various wrenches and little items like batteries and such and then of course you had track level and gauge and you patrolled the track six days a week.

Russell: How many miles were the territories of a tracksupervisor in motor car days?

Honath: They ran from, oh the shortest probably near 60 miles, that one was pretty near 80 miles you rode the train if you could one day a week and usually not that often probably more likely you rode it once a month. You patrolled the track every day and talked to each of the gangs on the territory and line them up on what to do and assist them. In those days there were quite a few in that segment between Gene Autry and Dalton Junction. We had sections at Ardmore, Henryetta, Thackerville Gainesville and Valley View that were their year round. As well as any extra gangs but they were not as prevalent or common as today.

Russell: Most of the work was done by the sections.

Honath: That's right.

Transcribed in altered from for the Web By Russell Crump