Retiree News

Trains, history have been lifelong passion

BILL NICKOLAS, 62, owns more than 50 locomotive engines and hundreds of rail cars. No, he’s not a railroad tycoon — he’s a hobbyist who has drawn upon his love of miniature trains and local history to help create a railroad museum in Oswego, N.Y., near his hometown of Scriba.

ON HIS LAST day of employment, John “Wurkin Durkin” Durkin unhooked the final lift for an SCR project at the Exxon/Mobil refinery in Billings, Mont. A member of Local 11 (Helena, Mont.) since 1978, Durkin began his apprenticeship in 1976 and moved into field construction in 1980. He retired June 30, 2008.

L-40 retiree creates metal art using skills he developed on the job

AFTER WORKING 35 years as a field construction Boilermaker, Frank Linton is now using his welding skills to create some rather spectacular metal art.

“Sum Boilermaker” wins in Oklahoma

RETIRED L-69 BM-ST Donnie Ray Jones is living his dream, breeding and racing horses. A Boilermaker since 1976, Jones served two terms as the lodge’s top officer before calling it quits last year.

RETIRED MEMBERS OF Local 582 (Baton Rouge, La.) attended their quarterly luncheon meeting at the union hall in January. James Anderson, chairman of the retiree’s club, presented membership pins ranging from 30 years to 65 years of service. Jessie Nelson, pictured in front at far right wearing a suit, received a 65-year pin.