BNSF News

100-Year-Old Retiree Remembers 42 Years of Railroad Experiences

2012-06-14

Arthur Fortier has witnessed his fair share of change in the railroad industry.

Not many retirees live to be 100 years old. Nor can many claim to have chatted with President Franklin D. Roosevelt or met renowned gangster Al Capone, all on the job!

Fortier was born on March 14, 1912, in Chicago and began working for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB&Q) in April 1934.

"I started in the engineering department as an office boy," Fortier recalled. He describes himself as a "handyman" during his first few years, moving around the office and filling in for positions such as secretary and filing clerk when needed. "It was very nice. I enjoyed it because everything was a challenge," Fortier said.

He later transferred and spent the next 23 years working in the president's office, first working for Ralph Budd's assistant while Budd was president of the CB&Q. Before board meetings, Fortier would get the agenda from the corporate secretary and write arguments in connection with the business proposals.

Fortier was also the only person Budd trusted with his car.

"He wouldn't let anyone drive his car but me," Fortier recalled. When Fortier drove Budd to various events, they would often stop and have lunch together. "He was a great man," said Fortier.

On May 28, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made Budd his federal transportation commissioner. While working as federal transportation commissioner, Budd had the important task of coordinating wartime transportation as well as advising the president. "He would call in and have my boss...for Washington meetings," said Fortier. While traveling to such meetings with Budd, Fortier had the opportunity to speak with President Roosevelt on several occasions.

Fortier also met Budd's brother, John Budd, who became president of the Great Northern in 1951. During Fortier's career with the CB&Q, the company had four presidents, all of whom Fortier called "wonderful men to work with."

Fortier had another encounter with a famous figure one day when he happened on a crowd. He saw that people were trying to shake hands with someone in the middle of the group. When Fortier went closer to investigate, he discovered Al Capone greeting the crowd.

When asked to share one of his favorite railroad memories, Fortier focused on significant change: the shift from steam to diesel locomotives.

"I was there when they changed over from steam to diesel," recalled Fortier. "I happened to be lucky enough to take a train from Chicago to Denver in celebration of that event."

The switch from steam locomotives to diesel was a milestone in the history of the CB&Q, as it allowed trains to move at significantly higher speeds. The Burlington Zephyr, which debuted in 1934, was able to reach speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, allowing it to travel from Denver to Chicago in half the previous time.

Shortly before Fortier retired, the company experienced a merger and changed headquarters. "We got together with North Pacific and Great Northern... in 1970. My boss was in charge of moving all the people to St. Paul, Minn.," said Fortier, who decided to stay and work in the law department in Chicago.

Fortier retired in 1976 after working for the railroad for 42 years and recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He is now enjoying retirement and lives with his son, Don Fortier, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Despite these amazing experiences, Fortier insists that he's "had a very uneventful life." Others would disagree.

About the photo: Arthur Fortier poses with Sandra Day O'Connor, retired Supreme Court justice, at a recent event noting Arizona's centennial anniversary.

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