Trainman News

Martinson Threw Over A Million Switches

MADISON, Wis. -- With 42 years as a Chicago and North Western switchman behind him, Ole Martinson, BRTer of Lodge 177, recently retired.

During his long career, he estimates he has "thrown" more than a million switches.

He worked mainly in Monona Yards, railroad yards in the vicinity of the North Western depot and at rail sidings in industrial plants.

Martinson, who first joined the BRT Feb. 4, 1912 in Lodge 177, came to the U. S. from Oslo, Norway, in 1902. He started to work for the Illinois Central at Hollandale and the following year moved to Madison.

Following brief employment at a Sunset Point stone quarry, he worked three years at the University and in 1906 became a North Western brakeman.

In 1907 he became a switchman and continued on that job, with the exception of a five-year stretch, when his wife's illness caused him to live on a farm.

When his wife recovered, he returned to the North Western as a switchman. Mrs. Martinson died two years ago.

In 1926 Martinson sustained a broken foot when he was knocked from the top of a car by the sudden jerk of a train. His foot has been bothering him lately.

Now in retirement, he plans to take it easy and spend time visiting his children.