Erie Railroad Biography - William Arthur Johnson


From the March, 1913 issue of Erie Magazine:
William Arthur Johnson, locomotive engineer on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, was listed as one of 19 out of 2,000 Erie engineers to be enrolled in the Order of the Red Spot, an honor given to engineers with exceptional service records and meticulous care of engines. This included having his name affixed to the side of the cab of engine 514, his assigned engine.


Click here for more information on named engines and the Order of the Red Spot.





The illustration above was taken from the January, 1916 issue of Erie. Click here to read the accompanying article.




From the July, 1922 issue of Erie Magazine:
50 Years an Erie Engineer
When Engineer William A. Johnson stepped from engine 514 at Nyack, N.Y. on the evening of May 20 (1922), it being the concluding trip of his day's work, he concluded 50 years of loyal and faithful service with the Erie Railroad.

Engineer Johnson, who handles a Wootten-type locomotive, which bears his name in bright letters on each side of the cab, runs on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey Division of the Erie Railroad, which extends from Jersey City, N.J. to Nyack, N.Y., and is twenty-eight miles long. Johnson is a real veteran of the locomotive service, and bears his age so well that he might easily be mistaken for a man much younger.

At the conclusion of his fifty years in the cab he said but litle and allowed the event to pass as one not calling for any special attention. The following morning he brought eastward the Nyack Flyer, just as he had been doing for so many previous years. It was said that in concluding his fiftieth year as an engineer he had made his eighteen thousandth trip. Asked about this, he replied, "I never kept an account of my trips, but eighteen thousand is a large number."

William A. Johnson is the "nestor of the guild," so to speak, he being the oldest engineer on the Northern, and the second oldest on the New York Division and its branches. Uncle George Conklin who runs on the main line is the senior of them all.

Engineer Johnson was born in Sparkill, Rockland County, N.Y., December 28, 1847, which makes him close to 75 years old. He went to work in an Erie machine shop in 1865, and began firing an engine on the main line in February, 1866, his trip being between Jersey City and Port Jervis. He continued firing until August, 1866, when he was transferred to the Northern Railroad of New Jersey so that he could be home every night. He remained a fireman until May 20, 1872, when he was promoted to engineer. He first ran a gravel train, then ran extra for about three years, after which he ran freight trains between Jersey City and Port Jervis. Remaining at that work until September, 1887, he was assigned a passenger run on the Northern, where he has since remained.

(A photo was also published with the article)




From the September, 1922 issue of Erie Magazine:
A notice of the death of William A. Johnson appeared in the Suffern Independent. It stated that he died in the Nyack hospital August 17 following a second operation for internal trouble. Engineer Johnson was taken ill while enjoying a vacation in the Adirondacks several weeks ago. He was operated on successfully, but on his return home to Nyack it was found necessary for him undergo a second operation, which resulted in his death. A biographical sketch and his picture appeared in our July issue. He was 74 years of age and was born in Sparkill, NY December 28, 1847. His service with the Erie dates back to 1865, when he went to work in a machine shop. Later he became fireman, and in 1872 freight engineer on the New York Division main line. In September, 1887 he was promoted to passenger engineer and assigned to the Northern Railroad of New Jersey division. For a long time he ran the Nyack Express between Nyack and Jersey City. He was a member of the Order of the Red Spot and his name appeared on both sides of the cab of the engine he was in charge of.





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