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The following memory and photos were submitted by Marc Pugh of Pike Road, Alabama:

My Daddy, J. Leon Pugh started working for the railroad in 1942 as a fireman (Shoveling Coal), for those who don't know what fireman did. Momma told me the L&N sent him to New Orleans for 3 weeks for training. When Dad returned to Montgomery he was put on the BOARD (As it was called) On Call, and worked for the most part on the ROAD (As it was called) between Montgomery and Mobile until he could build up his seniority. Seniority is the one and most important thing to a railroad man. Without it he did every dirty job that came along. With it he could pick and choose the jobs and where he want to go, as long as he didn't get bumped from someone higher in his Division.

Stationary and letter from Humming Bird. Credit: Marc Leon Pugh Collection

I never understood the lure or what hold the railroad had on men, but it seemed to posses them and they loved it, at lease my dad did. I never had a close relationship with him because of the railroad. When he was On Call, Me and my Sister and Mom had to leave the house or be extremely quiet because Dad was sleeping and could be called to work at anytime of the day or night. When I was born, I've been told dad was waiting on a call and would have had no choice but to go to work if called. When I was 4 years old my Dad took me on my first train ride. This original stationary from the Humming Bird and a letter he helped me write to the family in 1947. Daddy worked for 20 years as a fireman and somehow, some way, through whatever means, graduated to become an Engineer. Some accomplishment for a man who only finished high school. In 1964 Daddy was chosen to represent the L & N's local union with a picture of him, printed on the front page of the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper.

Engineer J.L. Pugh at the controls of his switch engine in L&N's North Montgomery Yard. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is one of the labor unions whose members are honored each Labor Day. Credit: Marc Leon Pugh Collection

At this time of his life he was 3rd from the top on the seniority list, but that is as high as he got. Railroad Men are dedicated to the job they do. Many liked it so much that they gave there lives to the job. They are an elite group, team players. The only other railroad men I can think of are Mr. James W. Brock, a brakeman and fireman who also worked for the L & N and a Mr. Horace Stephens with the ACL railroad. Both were Daddy's friends from my childhood and are still my friends to this day. My daddy retired from the L&N in 1979, 37 years after he began and passed away in 1980.

His Widow: Mrs. Mary L. (Myers) Pugh, Montgomery, AL.
His Daughter: Mrs. Jan L. (Pugh) Dillard, Franklin, TN.
His Son: Marc Leon Pugh, Pike Road, AL.