Erie Railroad Biography - R. Quinlan


From the March, 1914 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Many benefits are being derived from the Erie "Safety First" Committee, which meets monthly in the Cleveland territory. In going over monthly reports of a comparative nature, it shows considerable decrease in the number of personal injuries on the Mahoning Division, at the last meeting, which was held at Water Street Passenger Station on the 2nd Thursday of January, 1914. Election of officers was held and Robert E. Quinlan, Locomotive Engineer, was elected chairman for the ensuing year, and Jacob W. Newman, Clerk to Road Foreman of Engines, Cleveland, Secretary.




From numerous 1915-1916 issues of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Mahoning Division Engineer R. Quinlan, running engine 91, appeared on the roster of the Order of the Red Spot several times in 1915 and 1916, an honor awarded to engineers with particularly well-maintained engines.




From the December, 1931 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
R.E. Quinlan was featured as one of many employees who were making extra efforts to generate business for the Erie during the Depression.




From the December, 1939 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
After attaining the longest service record of an engineer on the Mahoning Division, Robert J. Quinlan retired on Nov. 1st at the age of 75. A week later he left Cleveland with Mrs. Quinlan to pass the winter at St. Petersburg, FL. He had been in Erie service 59 years and eight months.

Bob Quinlan may be said to have grown up with the Erie. Following in the footsteps of his father who had been a machinist in the shops at Jersey City and Cleveland, the younger Quinlan hired out as a machinist apprentice for the Atlantic & Great Western, now Erie, at 55th Street, Cleveland, in 1880. He served 4 1/2 years under Master Mechanic Nathan Wright and then transferred to the motive power department where he served as fireman till January 8, 1890 when he was promoted to engineer. "I preferred the outdoors," Veteran Quinlan said in telling why he left shop work for road work. "I thought the fresh air would be better for my health, and besides I was thrilled by the thought of someday running an engine. Yes, I have seen many changes in railroading, and all for the better. Today, not only pay but working conditions are better. Seniority is also better observed nowadays."

Veteran Quinlan worked under fifteen master mechanics and always received fair treatment. One of the most active and youthful-looking men for 75, Bob Quinlan has long been admired for his courteous and gentlemanly qualities. An enthusiastic Erie booster, he has for years been a voluntary business-getter for his railroad, giving up evenings to solicit traffic and to attend get-together meetings inspiring younger members of the Erie family with the importance of helping their railroad and acquainting the public with the problems confronting the carriers.

Mr. Quinlan has been active in the Erie Veterans' association and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is a past president of the veterans organization, served the brotherhood conventions on reception committees in 1918-21 and 30 and was a delegate to its convention in 1927 and 1933. He was secretary-treasurer of Div. No. 167 from Sept. 1, 1924 to Sept. 1, 1939, when he resigned in order to retire from Erie service, and was a member of the local committee of the B of LE from 1924 to 1927. One of his schoolmates who later worked with him on the Erie is Henry G. Dalton, president of Pickands, Mather & Co. Mr. and Mrs. Quinlan have two daughters and a son and live at 1293 West 112th Street, Cleveland.




From the February, 1942 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Robert J. Quinlan, 77, veteran Mahoning Division engineer, who retired Nov. 1, 1939 after service of 59 years and eight months, died Jan. 12 (1942) at his home, 1293 W. 112th Street, Cleveland, after a brief illness. Bob Quinlan was one of the most active men for his years. A past president of the Erie Veterans association, he retained his interest in the railroad game to the last and was a staunch Erie booster. He was also a member of the B of LE and the Lakewood Borrowed Time Club. He was a familiar figure at Erie Veterans annual meetings.

Mr. Quinlan began railroad work as a machinist apprentice for the Atlantic & Great Western, now the Erie, in 1880. Mr. Quinlan never forgot his railroad and liked to tell about the fifteen master mechanics under whom he had worked. Even after retiring he continued as a voluntary business-getter for his railroad, giving up evenings to procure traffic and to attend get-together meetings to inspire younger members of the Erie family with the importance of helping their railroad and acquainting the public with problems confronting the carriers.

Mr. Quinlan is survived by his wife, Anna; a son, Robert, and two daughters, Miss Mary Quinlan and Mrs. Kathryn Mortland. Funeral services were held Jan. 13 at St. Rose's Catholic Church, Detroit and West 114th Street.




Back to Erie 1899 Index