The Ballew and Stepp Virtual Museum

SHARING FROM MY ANCESTOR'S RAILROAD WORK GRIPS...

DEDICATION

In loving memory of and with the ultimate respect for my Dad, Mr. Robert H. Ballew,
known to his engine and yard crews as Boom-Boom,
a thirty-year hogger, a forty-year railroader and union man,
a teacher and forever the blueprint of a hard-working, real father. RIP

And, in loving memory of and with respect for my Grandfather and my Grandmother,
Another railroader named Mr. Robert Wesley Ballew and his wife Mrs. Beulah Ballew,
for having the abundant love, work ethic and grace to adopt and raise my father,
And then to love, tease and entertain all of the rest of us.

My Great-Grandfather, Mr. "Boss Bill" Ballew is one of my heros.
He is always recognized as a true West Texas Pioneer
because he helped design, lay, build and truly finalize
the first Texas and Pacific railroad into Dallas and Fort Worth
While living in Pilot Point and working south from Sherman.
He hired, trained, and managed the people that built a railroad.
He started it all for us about 150 years ago in Texas railroading.

Thanks you, Boss Bill!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the first, and greatest, here.
A Robert Ballew was a Captain leading one of the first RECON mounted Calvary units in the Revolutionary War.
Later, he volunteered and fought day and night under General George Washington at the Siege of York,
where he personally watched General Cornwallis surrender as our new nation was assured.
He served three separate tours of duty and was released, injured, by Washington.
I sure hope he was one of my ancestors. I know he is one of my heros.

Please read his story.

...and to Mom, Louise (Stepp) Ballew Mayfield,
(whose ancestors owned and operated stage coach lines and stops, livery stables and hotels)
for being Dad's real Dispatcher and our real Yard Master
who understood and controlled our actions at every wye
and is still keeping all of us on the right track.

With love, respect and appreciation to all, Bob Ballew

Who is today's Bob Ballew?

THINKING BACK TO STEAM ENGINES...

Dad's
Work

Rules Training Manual
Uniform Code Railroads
Circa 1955

Engineer's Training Photo Cards - Steam
Steam Engines #611 and #643
Circa 1945

And farther back to stage coaches, hotels and livery stables... Ballews and Stepps - Stagecoaches to Steam Engines to High Speed Diesels, 1850 to 2010.

...40+ years ago, RCB's first "red tagged" time slip
while working at the Fort Worth Lancaster Yard's round house...
(Note that it was delivered to my engineer father, R.H. Ballew, at the Hump Yard Office.)

...and, 2 years later, RCB was still working on equipment that could "...haul the freight!"

...one of my father's first dues cards...

AND SAFELY FORWARD...

    The GCOR Rule Book is a living, changing and dynamic document. It was created and is continually updated by a changing mix of dedicated people working to assure the safety and a common set of operating rules for the benefit of both the industry and the general public.
    A "catechism" is a detailed discussion of any subject in "question and correct answer" format expanding the information and possibilities contained within that subject.
    Many of the common operating practices identified in this organizational and living document have been adopted by railroads of the rest of the world. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires railroads to adopt operating rules. Many of the railroad companies operating in the United States have signed the General Code of Operating Rules, which are filed with the FRA.
    Mr. Robert E. Lee had served 24 years as the elected Secretary of the General Code Committee, formed by seven major railroads in 1980 to formulate and create a common rule book. It is now known as the GCOR Rule Book.
    He was one of the original creators and co-authors of the common set of rules and operating procedures adopted and implemented by many of the railroads in the United States.
    The First Edition of the GCOR was effective April 27, 1985. The current revision went into effect on April 7, 2010. This 2010 revision will be posted soon to all of our railroad websites.
    Mr. Lee retired on April 1, 2004 as a well-respected and well-liked regional Manager of Operating Rules for the largest freight carrier in the United States, after 30 years in the railroad industry.

    We are proud to announce that Mr. Robert E. Lee has joined our company and was and is uniquely qualified and created the first, updated catechism of the GCOR Rule Book in about 55 years. He revised the 2005 edition in 2010 and it is completed and available.
    Mr. Lee represents and presents the cumulative knowledge and experience of many of the finest and smartest Rules Department managers, Managers of Operating Practices and classroom instructors. He does this in a series of expanded questions, directly related to each rule, and offers much more to think about.
    Every employee of a GCOR member railroad is required to have a copy of the rule book available at all times and should carry a copy of this catechism, also. Safety is everyone's responsibility.

For online training and testing adminisration and books, CD's and prints ordering information
please call Bob Ballew at (817) 244-3647 or Mr. Lee at (903) 312-1923.