Continuing a long-standing Union Pacific tradition, employees achieving 50 years of railroading will be honored Wednesday, May 17, in a special ceremony with UP senior leadership at 11:15 a.m. CT.
In 1973, the first cellphone call was made using a device the size of a brick, the 108-floor Sears Tower was completed in Chicago and Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby in record time. It also was around the time these dedicated employees started their railroad careers:
- Jim Creel, conductor, North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Service Unit: “I love my job. You have to adapt to new ways of doing things.”
- Ronnie Fisher, conductor, Chicago, Illinois, Commuter Operations Service Unit: “I enjoy railroading. It’s rewarding work.”
- Richard Hockett Jr., locomotive engineer, Crystal Lake, Illinois, Commuter Operations Service Unit: “My wife’s support has allowed me to do all I’ve done.”
- Ellis Lister Jr., locomotive engineer, Jefferson City, Missouri, Heartland Service Unit: “I’ve been blessed to follow my passion and my heart’s desire all these years. Working here has been a dream come true.”
- Jerry McCarthy, conductor, Pocatello, Idaho, Rocky Mountain Service Unit: “I like the job. The railroad has treated me well.”
- David Nichols, locomotive engineer, Livonia, Louisiana, Gulf Coast Service Unit: “I was born for this job.”
Subscribe to Inside Track
Join us in congratulating these honorees – watch the May 17 livestream ceremony via UP’s Facebook page.