AN INTERVIEW WITH ARTHUR JOHN HUNEKE, LIRR EMPLOYEE 1954-1987 AND LIRR HISTORIAN
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I contacted Arthur Huneke, noted LIRR
Historian, to interview him about his LIRR career. I indicated: "I’d
missed everything you have witnessed; sadly, and thus readers might enjoy
reading from an experienced man on the scene". The following is
Art’s gracious response to my questions: How is it that you became a lifelong
employee of the LIRR? Art: At 17, I
graduated High School and was hired as a "Student Trackman",
which implied I would go to college in September or eventually. I
started in July 1954 at $1.55/hr. Were there earlier interests in
railroads and/or a major influence on your joining the LIRR? Art: Yes, an
intense interest in steam. I have missed everything you have
witnessed, sadly. Art: I have felt
that many times. Many, many times! I missed the G53s,
H6s, C51s, E6s, most of the K4s by only a year, three, four, and five
years. Might you describe your original
position and the associated duties? Art: Trackman in
Hicksville Section Gang. My first day pulling weeds from ballast west of
Charlotte Ave. When there was a
ballast train, we'd join the extra gang and other section gangs, climb on
the hopper cars, with pitch forks, in groups of four and men on the ground
would open the hoppers with a tie or timber fastened in front of them to
spread the stone. The train would move forward, and we'd push the stone
from above. Anyone could lose their balance and fall thru the opening, but
I never heard of that happening. No OSHA, yet. How would you describe the attitude of
the men and their work ethic, at the time? Art: Most of
them were Black and commuted from Brooklyn. They worked hard, but
could not get promoted and receive overall acceptance. Many were from the
South and knew legal segregation. I guess the experience they received in
New York was better. How did you view the overall influence
of the parent PRR and management? Art: All the
management were PRR. Goodfellow, the Savior was PRR. What prompted the decision to stay on
at the LIRR? Art: I didn’t
have the funds for college, but I had enough to buy a good camera.
The LIRR still had steam for 15 more months. What was your next job posting and how
did you obtain the next position? Art: I had
friends who were Signal Maintainers, and with their assistance, I was able
to transfer. Please, describe your Signal
Maintainer employ: Art: Well, I
started as a Helper as a learning position with an incentive to learn and
advance toward becoming a Signalman/Maintainer. I earned twenty cents an
hour more than a trackman! If so, might you please indicate to me when you became a signal maintainer and the hourly pay rate? Art: I transferred to Signal in December 1956 with an hourly pay rate at perhaps $1.95 - $2 and change.
Many years later, back in LIRR towers, I eventually ended up as Train Director, JAY 2nd Trick (3:00-11:00PM), Jamaica, as no one with more Seniority wanted to work Saturday, Sunday and Holidays! When did you retire from the LIRR? I thank Arthur John Huneke for his cooperation and insight into his long and experienced 33 year career with the LIRR and his continued historical insights
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