Erie Railroad Biography - Harry Smith

HARRY SMITH'S NEAT ENGINE.
The Greenwood Lake Division of the Erie seems to have resolved not to be kept in the dark, when it comes to (the matter of pulling trains with clean engines.

The idea of naming engines after the boys who use generous quantities of "elbow grease" on them, thereby giving them a mirror-like appearance, has hit the little division that runs to Greenwood Lake, and so the commendable work is spreading.

The above photograph shows Engine 793, which is in charge of Engineer Harry Smith, of Caldwell, N. J., who has run her during the past four years. A big man at Jersey City, who knows Harry quite well, says the latter is somewhat of a "dandy" himself, when attired in Sunday togs, and it is to be supposed that he would naturally wish to run a clean engine.

No other engineer on the Greenwood Lake Division wishes to rob Harry of any glory he possesses as sponsor of 793, although others, it is stated, propose to become friendly rivals. The conditions look fine all over the road, and clean engines are becoming so plentiful as to become the rule rather than the exception, all of which is a source of gratification to the management.
From the June, 1911 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine


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



Red Spot engine 793, honored by the name of Henry W. Smith appearing on the side of the cab, is still going some, having up to August 22nd (1912) completed 41,428 miles without a single failure.
From the September, 1912 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine



From the June, 1915 issue of Erie Magazine:

Engine 793

"RED SPOTTER" H. W. SMITH.
The pride of the Greenwood Lake Division, is Engine 793, named Henry W. Smith. The reason why it is named, is because its engineer is of the calibre that well deserves the honor.

Engine 793 carries a disc on the boiler head, that is painted red, indicating it to be a member of the "Order of the Red Spot," in which order engines, only that are clean, spic and span, can possibly receive recognition.

We have it on authority of Master Mechanic F.H. Murray, who is a foxy boy, himself, that engine 793 is always kept in the very best condition, hence it is an honor engine.

Engineer Smith entered the service of the Erie Railroad, as Watchman at West Orange, Greenwood Lake Division, August 20, 1890, and was transferred to position of Fireman, February 16, 1892. He was promoted to Engineer, June 30, 1897. He is now in Passenger service and has an excellent service record. He has handled engine 793, continuously, for about 8 years, during which period, he states, he believes detentions, due to engine failures, will not amount to more than 15 minutes.



From the November, 1915 issue of Erie Magazine:
H.W. Smith, Engineer, New York Division, received recognition for the intelligent manner in which he handled engine 793, hauling train 520 from Midvale (Greenwood Lake Division), to Jersey City, making his running time, with the quadrant bracket broken off in the boiler, which part failed while he was making the westbound trip with train 505.



From the October, 1942 issue of Erie Magazine:
New York Division Road Foreman of Engines H.W. Smith of Jersey City retired recently at age 69 after 51 years of service.



From the April, 1945 issue of Erie Magazine:
We regret the passing of Harry W. Smith, retired Road Foreman of Engines, and extend sympathy to his loved ones.



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