Thoughts on Jim McClellan's life on the rails

Much has been written about Jim McClellan, who passed away Friday at age 77. I cannot add to the accolades given Jim for his accomplishments with regards to the railroad industry – the creation of Amtrak, setting up Conrail, the combination of Norfolk & Western and Southern Railway to make Norfolk Southern, the subsequent split of Conrail between CSX and NS, and so much more. I will let others who knew him better dwell on this aspect of his life. What I do want to make sure doesn’t get lost is how much Jim loved railroading in every sense and how he kept it in perspective: His business acumen never quashed his enthusiasm and his enthusiasm never got in the way of his work.

In railroading, Jim found his calling and practiced it joyfully throughout his life in a way that changed history and changed lives. I like to think that he was as enamored with railroading on his last day on Earth as he was the first time he ever saw a train.

To sit down to dinner with Jim McClellan was to dine with a man equally comfortable talking about the attributes of a Norfolk & Western Y6b 2-8-8-2 shoving coal loads across Blue Ridge grade (which he witnessed and photographed) or how 2016 railroading stands on the threshold of an opportunity to remake itself once more following the collapse of the coal industry (an email exchange I had with him earlier this summer). He was ever the optimist when it came to the industry; his belief never waned that railroading has a vital role to play in a changing economy.

Jim proved wrong the folks who believe that camera-toting fans don’t make great leaders in the railroad business. He was one of those rare people who “get it” — who understand that railroading is a demanding, difficult, challenging business for those running a ballast regulator, those at the throttle, and those in the offices worrying about federal regulations, taxation, and operating ratios. But he was also one of those folks who appreciated the sight of an Alco PA toting the varnish, a steam train in a foreign land, the sight of a 4-8-4 at speed in Ohio, or an intermodal train defying gravity to grind its way up grade.

I also like to think that Jim also showed that it is still possible for the good guys to win, to rise to the top, to have their day in the sun. He was fun, convivial, quizzical, and curious, and, above all, just a nice fellow. Given his role in the railroad industry he could have deservedly carried a gigantic ego, but he checked it at the yard office, making him an affable, approachable man.

Jim liked to get out and see the railroad. He wanted to understand the basic infrastructure, the layouts of junctions, yards, and interchanges. It helped him understand what was possible and what was a challenge. I remember him talking about how important it is to be out on the railroad. I hope that today’s managers will heed his words and be out of the office, on the property, and in touch with the people who do the work.

One of the last times I saw Jim he and a group of friends were riding a chartered passenger car tacked onto the back of the eastbound Empire Builder as it rolled through Milwaukee on Canadian Pacific. I went out to cheer them on and take a photo as they yelled and shouted and waved as the train shot by me. So that’s the way I will remember Jim McClellan, standing on the back of the platform of a private car, surrounded by friends and family, and enjoying the rail life.