1205th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion expresses gratitude for UTU's continued support CLEVELAND -- A unique three-dimensional plaque recognizing the UTU's continuing support of the U.S. armed forces was recently presented to the union by a representative of the U.S. Army Reserve and the 1205th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion (ROB). "The story that appeared in the UTU News in April 1999, along with the information and links on the UTU's website, really helped raise awareness of our operations and continues to boost our recruitment efforts," said Maj. Martin Piech of the 1205th ROB.
Expressing his personal gratitude as well as the ROB's, Maj. Piech presented the union with a specially constructed plaque featuring a model of one of the U.S. Army's locomotives and a brass plate with the inscription: "In appreciation for support of the 1205th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion and the U.S. Army Reserve."
The engine modeled on the plaque, #4601, is one of two locomotives acquired by the Army in 1990 from the Illinois Central Railroad (IC). Built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) as a GP9 in January 1958, it was sold to the IC Railroad as their No. 9343 and put to use in freight service. It was rebuilt by successor Illinois Central Gulf (ICG) as a GP10 in the ICG's shops in Paducah, Ky., in August 1974, and re-numbered ICG 8339. "There are some great opportunities in the Army Reserve for railroaders to improve their skills, serve their country, qualify for benefits, and have fun while doing it," said Piech, who regularly takes his recruitment efforts to local meetings held by the various unions representing railroaders.
"The truth is I really haven't had to recruit at UTU local meetings during the last year," Piech noted, "because the response to the UTU News article has been overwhelming. But I'm still trying to raise awareness among the other brotherhoods of the benefits offered by the reserve." In a letter responding to the honor bestowed on the UTU, International President Charles L. Little said, "As a railroader and a proud American who served with the U.S. Marine Corps, I have first-hand knowledge of the important role played by our nation's military personnel, as well as an understanding of the logistical challenges faced by those involved in transportation.... I appreciate the opportunities made available to UTU members by the Army Reserve and hope our publication and website help with your recruiting efforts. "In the event that the UTU can offer any assistance as you go about the business of protecting and defending our great nation," Little continued, "please do not hesitate to call on us. It is with immense pride that I can offer the expertise and assistance of the finest transportation professionals in the civilian sphere."
The 1205th ROB, based in Middletown, Conn., is one of two Army Reserve Railway units today. Those two units are now the only such rail units in any branch or component of the nation's armed forces.
The primary mission of the 1205th ROB is to haul materiel to a location about 25 miles south of Wilmington, Del., a depot in North Carolina known as Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU).
The 757th ROB, based in Milwaukee, Wisc., represents the sole surviving World War II-type ROB, and its forces can be deployed anywhere in the world.
UTU members can learn more about the 1205th ROB by visiting the ROB's website at
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