Shrine to pay tribute to rail workers -

If all goes well, a year from now dedication ceremonies will mark the establishment of the National Railroader's Memorial Shrine in Niles, Michigan, an event that will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Michigan Central's tracks in Niles.

Unique in its conception, the shrine recently reached a watershed in its development, with the election of a new board of directors and the start of a nationwide fundraising campaign.

The project is being spearheaded by the Niles Railroad Historical Association, Inc., whose chairman, retired railroader William Taylor, Jr., has donated the publishing rights and the proceeds of a book he's written to help fund the project.

A major feature of the memorial, and an integral part of the current fundraising effort, is the opportunity for rail families to make a gift contribution to commemorate a parent, grandparent, another relative or a friend.

Those who pledge $50 will receive a fine parchment certificate noting their contribution and recording the name, position, road of employment, dates of service, spouse's name, children's names, and military service (if applicable) of the person to be memorialized.

Information appearing on the certificate also will be inscribed on pure copper scrolls, which will be enshrined in the base of the memorial in sealed capsules filled with an inert preservative gas. According to Taylor, the memorial and its copper scrolls are designed to have a life expectancy of one thousand years. Visitors to the shrine will be able to use an on-site computer system to view the information recorded on the buried copper scrolls.

In addition, plans call for the memorial to feature a granite wall in which the names of railroaders who lost their lives in the line of duty will be engraved.

The project began with a plan to honor the memory of those who built and operated the west division of the former Michigan Central Railroad (MCRR), which later became part of the New York Central.

As planning proceeded, it was realized no other such memorial had been dedicated exclusively to rail workers, and it was decided to expand the scope and size of the work to make it a national tribute to all railroaders from every craft and trade.

The 3.17-acre site for the memorial is immediately west of the former MCRR depot, atop a bluff overlooking the St. Joseph River, on part of the original land grant to the railroad.

The project is being tackled in two phases, with the first phase devoted to site development and construction of the memorial itself. The memorial's design was suggested by the original five-stall roundhouse that stood on the site before the Civil War. Ultimately, artwork including bronze or granite statues portraying rail history, traditions, and the results of the various crafts' handiwork will be included on the grounds.

The second phase will concentrate on construction of a building to house offices, a gift shop, a museum of photographs and memorabilia, and a large-screen video theater for educational use. The building will resemble a typical one-story brick depot, according to Taylor, and likely will include a large garden area with an outdoor chapel and picnic tables for family outings.

To make it all happen, five levels of gift amounts for pledges have been established, but Taylor noted that every gift regardless of size will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged with a receipt. In addition, he noted that widow(er)s on Railroad Retirement who wish to memorialize a loved one but who have trouble making ends meet can contact him to discuss a reduced rate. In special cases, he said, the Board of Trustees may waive all costs.

Gift levels include Sponsor ($25), Gifts in Memoriam ($50), Patron ($100-$250), Benefactor ($250-$500), and Endowment Grant (corporate and charitable trust gifts of $1,000 or more). All contributors at the various levels will receive a certificate of gratitude on fine parchment or linen paper for framing, Taylor said.

The foundation and trust under which the memorial will initially operate, Taylor noted, will ultimately yield long-term ownership and management to a consortium of rail labor organizations to ensure the perpetual oversight of the project by those who share a common interest in the tribute.

Meanwhile, the historical association has announced that among those elected to the memorial's board of directors is UTU International President Charles L. Little, who has also accepted a position as a trustee for the project.

Others on the board include Mac A. Fleming, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; Thomas W. Hunter, chief signal engineer on the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern; W. Dan Pickett, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, and William L. Scheri, general vice president, transportation, of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers.

Those interested in learning about Taylor's book, An American Colossus...A Small Town, A River and A Railroad Yard, and those who wish to endow the memorial with a gift are invited to contact Taylor by writing to him at: NILES RAILROAD HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, INC., 400-404 E. MAIN ST., P.O. BOX 35, NILES, MI 49120, or by calling (616) 684-1998.

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Last modified: November 09, 2000