From the April, 1938 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
Because he lived near the Erie yards where as a boy he could pause in his play to watch the engines come and go, William J. McKim wanted to be a locomotive engineer and run one of those iron horses. That was more than a half century ago. When Bill McKim retired the other day after 51 years of service, he had not only realized his ambition but had been one of the best engineers on the Erie's New York Division.

Engineer McKim has told his friends that it was with a great deal of regret that he "pulled the pin," which is railroad parlance for retiring, and that actually parting association with a locomotive was something that he never anticipated would be so hard to do. Now at 75, in good health and with his life's partner beside him, he hopes to enjoy in full measure the ease and comfort earned through long and faithful service with the Erie.

Born in Curry, Ireland on May 3rd, 1863, Mr. McKim was brought to America in 1869 by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John McKim, at the age of 5 years, and the family settled in Chester, NY, in which city he spent his youth and early manhood and received his education.

In July, 1886 at the age of 23, he applied for a position with the Erie as fireman at Jersey City, and he was accepted and sent to Port Jervis. He was promoted to freight engineer in 1891 and in 1902 he was promoted to passenger service. During his long service he has handled all important fast freights and through-line passenger trains.

He was married in 1902 to Miss Anna Scott of Chester, NY, and his bride was brought to Port Jervis where he has maintained his home since. Two children were born to them, Dr. William McKim of Newark, NJ, and Miss Anna McKim, engaged in secretarial work in New York.

During his 51 years service, Mr. McKim has observed working conditions changing for the better as the years rolled by. He has been impressed by the way the railroads have continued to improve their equipment, both in cars, locomotives and track as well as the installation of all modern safety devices, such as automatic block signals and train control. The old link and pin days are gone and while railroading today is even more exacting than formerly, comparatively speaking it is much safer, due to the improved equipment.

A careful employee at work, Mr. McKim has had several accidents on the railroad but in no case was the cause attributed to any carelessness on his part.

He recalls the blizzards of 1887 and 1888 and worked through both. He also remembers handling a heavy coal train during the floods of 1903, when he ran a distance of two miles with the rails under water. When he got over that particular piece of track, no one else could use it for a week, or until the trackmen had straightened it out after the water receded. When the tunnel at Otisville was finished, Mr. McKim handled the engine on the first train to operate through it.

Always careful at work, he has sustained several personal injuries but recalls that he has not had a personal injury in 30 years.

Railroading is not what it used to be, Bill thinks. Since the invention of the airbrake and other modern improvements, including the stoker, railroad men, he believes, have the best working conditions of any class of labor.

Conscientious in the performance of his duties, Bill has always tried to be as careful as possible while on the railroad and to protect the interests of his employers.

Mr. McKim has belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers many years and has always been active in its affairs. Present working conditions are the result of the hard fight of these pioneers, of which he is one.
A photo was also printed

From the April, 1939 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine
William J. McKim, 76, veteran engineer who retired last year after 51 years of service, died March 6 (1939) in hospital at Port Jervis after a brief illness. He lived at 44 Hammond Street. Funeral services were held at St. Mary's Church. Bearers were W.W. Stidd, Curtis Ackerman, A.C. Kronk, James McCaffrey, Edward McAndrew and James County. Surviving relatives are his wife, at home; one son, Dr. William F. McKim, of Newark; one daughter, Anne R. of New York; one brother, John of New York; two sisters, Catherine and Margaret of Somerville, NJ; and two grandchildren, Beth Collier McKim and William F. McKim, Jr. of Newark.