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Sound / Arthur F. Smith interview

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Title
Arthur F. Smith interview
Creator
Blackie, Hood River
Date Created and/or Issued
1976-02-04
Contributing Institution
California State Railroad Museum Library
Collection
California Revealed from California State Railroad Museum Library
Rights Information
Copyright status unknown. This work may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, its reproduction may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. This work is accessible for purposes of education and research. Transmission or reproduction of works protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives attempted to find rights owners without success but is eager to hear from them so that we may obtain permission, if needed. Upon request to Library.CSRM@parks.ca.gov, digitized works can be removed from public view if there are rights issues that need to be resolved.
Description
An audio interview lasting slightly over an hour. Interview with retired railroad engineer, Arthur Smith about his experiences on the job. Smith talked about the unique and unusual things he had seen on the job, seeing the “Freedom Train” that toured the country as part of the 1975 Bicentennial, and seeing his first diesel powered train in California. Smith and the interviewer frequently discussed the schematics and specifications of various trains that they had either worked on, or known about. They further talked about other California railroads before the interviewer turns to the main question of finding artifacts and information in the Central Pacific Railroad and Smith attempts to answer any questions he can. The two men exchanged stories about long trips and encountering “hobos” and runaways during their travels. There is reference to various locations throughout California (from Folsom and Stockton, to Riverside and Willets). Both mentioned “railroad bulls,” which are special agents. Smith and the interviewer talked at length about hobos, and even mentioned a “hobo convention” in Iowa where most of the espoused hobos were actually hippies. The interviewer then shared his experiences working on the Ohio Railroad as well as other railways in the American Southwest, although he doesn’t mention any specific companies.
Written on note with tape: Arthur F. Smith, Retired A.R. Engineer age 75 2/3/76; 45 yes a vanhooder(spelling?); Western Pacific; Rock Island; Southern Pacific; Missouri Pacific; talking to Hood River Blackie; Ex Hobo
Type
sound
Format
Original
Stereo
Audio cassette
Form/Genre
Oral histories
Extent
1 Tape of 1
Identifier
AC 5
cscrm_000499
Language
English
Subject
Trains
Railroads--Employees
Provenance
California State Railroad Museum Library and Archives
California Revealed is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

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