Author’s Note: The title of the article has been altered for clarity and conciseness
SUNRISE, WY — Mike Russ gave a presentation in the YMCA building in Sunrise the evening of October 21 about the history of trains and the railroad industry in the nearby area.
Russ was born in Torrington but lived in Hartville where his mother, father, and brother were born. He decided to work in the railroad because it was one of the better careers at the time.
“I went to a vocational school out of high school and enjoyed mechanicing,” said Russ. “And at the time, the railroad paid about twice what any other mechanic job did in the valley here.”
“I actually had to go to Alliance to get the job. Then once I established seniority I could come back, and I worked probably the bulk of my 30 years in Guernsey.”
Russ’s job while working in the railroad industry as a part of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad included acting as a union representator.
“I was also a union representator during that time and have represented 1,300 railroad machinists in 12 states,” said Russ.
Russ was invited to do the presentation by the Sunrise Historic And Prehistoric Preservation Society.
“I was invited to make a presentation about the railroad because of my railroad experience, and my position on the board of directors of the SHAPPS society,” said Russ.
The topic of the presentation was inspired by Russ’s previous work in the railroad industry and his experience as a union representator.
“Railroading and steam engines have always fascinated me,” said Russ. “Locomotives and railroading in general.”
“And it’s a union job. The mine was a union job, the railroad was a union job. I’m at heart a trade unionist.”
In addition to his personal experiences, Russ also conducted some additional research from for the presentation.
“I did a few short interviews,” said Russ. “Nothing near what I probably could have if I’d known more people had material and information.”
“And now that I do know, I will certainly be going back to them and filling in the blanks so to speak.”
During the presentation, several older audience members spoke and gave extra insights into the topic and time era. These tidbits reminded Russ of his childhood.
“It reminds me of growing up here in Sunrise and Hartville. I went to school here in Sunrise,” said Russ. “There were hundreds of kids running around doing all kinds of things.”
James Meyer 