Interview with Steve Lee, March 21, 2015

Partial Transcript: This is an interview with Steve Lee on March 21st, 2015 recorded at the Corbin Railroad Depot in Corbin, Kentucky.

Segment Synopsis: Steve Lee describes what it was like to grow up around the railroad and how he was trained as a fireman and then a locomotive engineer on diesel trains.

Keywords: College; Elizabethtown Community College; Engineer trainees; Engineers; Fireman; Illinois-Central Railroad; Louisville (Ky.); Railroad (Industry); Railroad crews; Steam engines; Steam trains; Student fireman; Vine Grove

Subjects: Childhood; Illinois Central Railroad Company; Railroad engineering.; Railroads--Employees.

Partial Transcript: I ran between Louisville and Central City, with a couple of branches, one over to Hodgenville, and one to Owensboro.

Segment Synopsis: Lee describes his voluminous experience in the railroad industry in many positions with numerous companies. He also describes his work with the Union Pacific steam engine and heritage programs as well as locomotive restoration work he has done since retiring.

Keywords: Bankruptcy; Career paths; Cheyenne (Wyo.); Consulting; Corbin (Ky.); Decline; Engineers; Heritage operations; Illinois Central Gulf; Illinois-Central Railroad; Jobs; L&N Railroad (Louisville and Nashville Railroad); Locomotive engineers; Locomotives; Louisville (Ky.); Management; Managers; Operations; Paducah and Louisville Railroad; Passenger trains; Railroaders; Restoration; Retirement; Road foreman; Rock Island Railroad; Steam engines; Strikes; Train travel; Trains (Freight); Trains (Passenger); Trips; Union Pacfic Railroad; Wyoming

Subjects: Illinois Central Railroad Company; Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company; Railroad cars.; Railroad engineering.; Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.; Railroads--Employees.; Tourism

Partial Transcript: Um, s, uh, so, you know, the, the connection to this specific railroad museum project, or the kinds of things you might, you know, be doing for them in the future...

Segment Synopsis: Lee gives a description of how he came to be involved in the Corbin Railroad Museum project and how he helped to organize the transportation of the L&N 2132 steam engine to the museum grounds in Corbin. He also gives details on the potential restoration of the engine.

Keywords: City Park Locomotives; Connections; Corbin (Ky.); Corbin Rail Museum; Corbin Railroad Museum; Cosmetic restoration; L&N 2132; L&N Railroad (Louisville and Nashville Railroad); Lead; Louisville (Ky.); Louisville Nashville Railroad Company; Maggy Kriebel; Paint; Preparation; Process; Relationships; Relocation; Repairs; Restoration; Ron Flanary; Sand blasting; Smokestack damage; Steam engines; Steel; Transportation of defunct trains; Trucks; Welding

Subjects: Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company; Railroad cars.; Railroad museums; Transportation

Partial Transcript: Um, you had talked about earlier, in, in, in your, uh--when you were giving some background for your, for your own work...

Segment Synopsis: Lee describes his work with the steam engine program at Union Pacific and the differences between steam and diesel engines, as well as the skill required in operating a steam engine.

Keywords: Community; Company; Company safety; Diesel engines; Employee recognition; Government; Locomotives; Maintenance; Mini trains; Operation Lifesaver; Operations; Operators; Parade train; Promotional work; Public relations; Railroad (Industry); Relations; Safety; Senses; Steam engines

Subjects: Corbin (Ky.); Railroad cars.; Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.; Railroads--Employees.; Tourism

Partial Transcript: So what do you think has been the most difficult restoration you've done?

Segment Synopsis: Lee describes what he considers to be his most difficult restoration project: restoring a Jim Crow-era passenger coach for the Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture and Heritage in Washington, D.C.

Keywords: "Separate but equal"; 1940s; ADA compliance; Challenges; Construction; Cranes; Differences; Government relations; Historical accuracy; Historical furnishing; Jim Crow coach cars; Restoration; Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture and Heritage; Stearns (Ky.); Trains (Passenger); Trucks; Washington, D.C.

Subjects: African Americans--Segregation; Railroad cars.; Railroad museums; Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.; Tourism

Partial Transcript: When, uh, when you were working on the railroad, uh, or, and dr--or, working with the steam engines--

Segment Synopsis: Lee discusses the typical experiences of a railroad engineer, and community engagement in the Union Pacific steam engine program. He also discusses his favorite restoration project in conjunction with the Museum of the American Experience in Union City, Tennessee.

Keywords: Crowds; Engineers; Fear; Fuel trucks; Hearing; History; Locomotive operation; Mistakes; Museum of the American Experience; People; Planning; Promotional work; Public relations; Publicity; Railroad tracks; Safety; Senses; Smelling; Smells; Sounds; Steam engines; Tennessee; Train travel; Trains (Passenger); Transportation; Union City (Tenn.)

Subjects: Railroad cars.; Railroad museums; Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.; Tourism

Partial Transcript: When you k--when you look back and think about life before you worked on the railroad...

Segment Synopsis: Lee discusses his life on the railroad and how it has affected his outlook on life, as well as his appreciation of his current position as a restoration consultant.

Keywords: Career paths; Challenges; Childhood; Choices; Engineers; Freedom; Management; Operations; Railroad (Industry); Railroader (Profession); Restoration; Travel

Subjects: Railroad engineering.; Railroads--Employees.

Partial Transcript: Have you ever worked on engines of other gauges?

Segment Synopsis: Lee describes the different gauges of steam engines that he works with and the engines that he has restored to full operation.

Keywords: Boiler explosions; Construction; Gauges; Industrial accidents; Line gauges; Narrow gauge railroads; Occupational hazards; Rebuilding; Repair; Restoration; Steam engines; Working engines

Subjects: Railroad accidents.; Railroad cars.; Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.

Partial Transcript: When you think ahead to the, the coming decades, w, what kind of hopes or dreams or ideas do you have for railroading in general?

Segment Synopsis: Lee discusses the future of the railroad industry from his perspective.

Keywords: Codes; Generations; Inspections; Management; Materials; Operations; Railroad (Industry); Railroading executives; Regulations; Rivets; Steam engines; Technological advancements; Welding

Subjects: Railroad cars.; Railroad engineering.; Railroads--Employees.; Technological innovations

Partial Transcript: Would the steam engine normally require different kinds of steel for different components?

Segment Synopsis: Lee gives a brief description of the different material components of steel steam engines.

Keywords: Codes; Grades; Materials; Parts; Regulations; Specifications; Steam engines; Steel

Subjects: Railroad cars.; Railroad engineering.; Technological innovations

Partial Transcript: You know, coming into the work that you do now, you clearly bring a wealth of knowledge from your career in, in the railroad.

Segment Synopsis: Lee discusses the use of new technology in railroading and engine restoration, as well as the attraction that young people feel toward the railroad industry.

Keywords: Cracks; Culture; Generations; Learning; Magnaflux testing; Nostalgia; Railroad (Industry); Railroader (Profession); Restoration; Scanning; Skills; Technological advancements; Technology; Testing methods; Ultrasonic testing; Ultrasound; Welds; X-Rays

Subjects: Railroad cars.; Railroad engineering.; Technological innovations

Partial Transcript: We--the last few days, we've been doing these interviews and we've heard, you know, people give recollections of their own experiences riding--

Segment Synopsis: Lee discusses whether he believes more operating passenger trains today would be beneficial.

Keywords: Cities; Convenience; Passenger trains; Population density; Train travel; Wyoming

Subjects: Corbin (Ky.); Railroad passenger cars; Railroad travel.; Transportation

Partial Transcript: Do you have other thoughts or questions?

Segment Synopsis: Lee gives his description of some of the strangest makes of rail engines, the role of women in the railroad industry, the role of education, as well as a brief discussion of management training and automatic vs. manual transmissions in automobiles.

Keywords: African Americans; Attitudes; College degrees; Education; Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); Geared engines; Higher education; Management; Managers; Manual transmission; Railroad (Industry); Railroad tracks; Role of women; Training; Women in railroad

Subjects: Railroads--Employees.; Technological innovations