index

Veterans’ Association

of the

Chicago & North Western Railway

Organized December 9, 1924

Welcome to the Web Site of the Veterans’ Association of the Chicago & North Western Railway. We hope that these pages will provide you with information about the Association and rail-related issues, and also be a means for you to stay in touch with your friends and co-workers.

This web site has been a while in coming and the progress you see due to Rick Todd’s help. Rick is a good friend Dewayne’s and graciously offered to lend a hand. Once something is understood, it’s simple – we all know that. Coming to that point of comprehension is quite another matter. Rick made the difficult seem easy and did so with patience and understanding. Without his help, you would not be looking at this page or anything else on this web site. Thank you, Rick!

Please Direct Your Attention to:

MetLife Insurance from Over 40 Years Ago

Are you covered?

Back in 1964, 20 of the railroad unions got us some insurance with MetLife. The amount reduces substantially once you retire but $2,000.00 is a lot better than nothing. That was over 40 years ago and many have forgotten all about this.

MetLife is in Utica, New York and here’s their toll-free number – 800-310-7770. Call and see if you are on the list. You have to give them your full name and Social Security number and then they can look you up on their computer. It takes around 2 minutes.

If you find your name is not in their records and you feel you should be on the list, all I can suggest you contact your union for advice. To claim benefits, call the same number. They will want the same information and will send you a claim form which will have to be filled out and returned along with a Death Certificate. (Submitted by Truman Koehn.)

The 2007 Operation Lifesaver train ran between West Chicago, Belvidere, Janesville & Crystal Lake on June 1 through 4, 2007. Mark Llanuza sent us some photographs and they are located here. If you recognize any of the unidentified people, please let us know.

04/10/08 Read about The Rollins W. Coakley Railroad Park located in Venice, Florida by clicking here.

Thanks to Jim Yanke, we have another Engineers’ Class Photo. Look it over and tell us who you recognize. It’s located here, down a ways from the top of the page.

Conductors’ Class Photos

Dave Hawley sent us four conductors’ class photos. One is dated August 3, 1979 and several people are identified. This one is located here. We have neither dates nor identifications for the other three (located here) ( 08/13/08) and need your help. Randy Johnson just sent us a 5^th Conductors Class photo located here at the bottom of that page ( 08/08/08). Please take a look at all of them and let us know who you recognize by sending us an e-mail.

Harvard Memorial

Dave Hawley sent us a picture of the memorial to Wisconsin Division Engineers Frank Nolan, Sr., Frank Nolan, Jr. and Dick Brady, & to Katy McCauley. It’s located in Harvard. Click here to have a look.

The C&NW in Cumming GA

R.J. DeBerg sent us some pictures of his exceptional “backyard” railroad, patterned after the Chicago & North Western, naturally! Click here to have a look at it. R.J. says he did all this in 3-1/2 years!

Great job!!

The Wyeville Mystery Man - 07/05/08

At long last, the “Wyeville Mystery Man has been identified. He is Laverne Nelson, now residing in Hixton, WI. Loren Mulvaney suggested it might be Laverne when he and Louis Wilson were discussing things. We sent the picture to Laverne who confirmed it’s him.

Laverne’s picture can be seen here at the bottom of the page.

West Chicago – 1950’s

Thanks to Charlie McLaughlin, we have some great photos from West Chicago. Click here to have a look. Several men are unidentified so be sure to e-mail us if you recognize any of them.

NARVRE (National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees, Inc.)

WHAT CAN NARVRE BRING TO THE TABLE FOR NEW MEMBERS?

Click here and find out!

Please support NARVRE. They are looking out for your interests.

National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees, Inc.

Established September 6, 1937

http://www.narvre.com

Mystery Photograph Identified

The “Mystery Photograph” has been in the Photographs section for about two years now, ever since Ray Weart sent it in. A “mystery” no more, thanks to Jerry Drager, who gets a year’s free dues for this fine contribution!

Click here for the Jerry’s solution. We regret that Jerry passed away on May 4, 2007. Additional details are on the Member’s News page. Click here for a photo of Jerry engaged in one of his most favorite activities.

Thanks are also in order for several people who’ve made contributions to our web site. Without their help, this would be a pretty dismal production and this help is really appreciated. To: Chris Burger, Dusty Burman, Harold Cardo, Les (Zoom-Zoom) Childers, G. Cira P.J. Cleary, Scott Coleman, Gerald Cramer, R.J. DeBerg, Tim Deneen, Jerry Drager, Jon Emery, Mary Estrada, Stan Eyres, Bob Fisher, Walter Gorlewski, Jim Hansen, Dave Hawley, Ed Henry, Randy Johnson, Roger King, Kevin Leahy, John Leahy, Captain Wally Lindemann, Mark Llanuza, Ted Lontkowski, Keith Luebke, Charlie McLaughlin, Loren Mulvaney, Don & Joan Mundth, Laverne Nelson, Karl Pachmayer, Stan Peczkowski, Merrill Price, Joe Richart, Rich Sandowski, J.P. Schillace, the late Wally Smith, Dewayne Stiefvater, Dennis Stowe, Dan & Yvonne Sylvester, Joe Vettese, Lance Wales, Ray Weart, Dave Wells, Marvin Williams, Louis Wilson, Jim Yanke and Mike Yuhas, we convey our sincere thanks and appreciation.

Anyone having pictures or other information you’d like to share, please send it to the webmaster. Clicking on the “Contact Us” link will open up an e-mail in which you can send your news and to which you can attach photos.

Your comments, suggestions and ideas for additions to this site are most welcome. Also, don’t hesitate to tell us what you don’t like. Just use the same “Contact Us” link below. If you find a broken link, please let us know.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Association Officers

Chapters

Chapter Dinners & Events - 08/20/08

Association History

Membership Application

Recent Events

Florida Chapter Luncheon

Adams Chapter Luncheon

Kenosha-Waukegan Picnic - 08/04/08

Madison Chapter Luncheon

Chicago Chapter Luncheon