'ROSTERED OFF LIFE'S DUTY' The passing of two great 'steam' Enginemen has prompted me to pay tribute to them. Transferring from Mile End to Peterborough as a young Fireman, I first worked with both, Tim Jenkins and Fred Eckert, in the year 1945. Both men at that time were themselves Junior Engine men and had not been performing driving duties for very long, after serving years on the righthand side of the engine, and were men who had experienced those depression years when they had a job one day and retrenched the next. Tim and Fred were friendly personalities. I came under the spell of these men in my early days, firstly as a Fireman, then as a young Engine- man studying for my 'engine'. There are so many present and past Peterborough men today now operating on either Diesels or Rail Cars within the system who received some early 'training' and guidance from both men and it has stood them in good stead for the position on the lefthand side. The top names on the seniority list of Engine men and Motormen today are those of men that in some way were assisted in their progression to Enginemen and were helped by these men who left a mark on the lives of so many. In those times my task of working under difficulty with poor quality coal on engines in need of repair was made a lot easier by Tim and Fred. It was in their makeup to assist those with a need and developed in me a personal admiration for both of them. Tim was the author of a small booklet that he compiled to assist a young Engineman to "find his way". The book detailed certain locations on every section of track on the Quom-Cockburn and Port Pirie Lines,it was an aid for running a train with a certain load over the lines to time. Also, it out lined points deemed to be trouble spots. Many a young thirsty Fireman was given a drink of water from the famous quart bottle he always carried in his tucker box. Similarly, Fred assisted many a young man. He seemed to study those things that would make a youngster think out an answer. He was delighted when on Pilot duties to direct a question to a 'student' Engineman,his first remark being- 'Now, what would you do if...' The learner would have to supply the answer; he was never told until he had worked on it. Fred would leave by saying, 'Let me know the answer next time! See you' It usually concerned some breakdown or air brake problem that Fred had worked on. He enjoyed every minute of it, and would not forget to follow the student up for an answer. It was an experience to hear his hearty laugh after hearing or relating a joke he had heard. Both men had a special humour only understood by those who knew them. I think, it was important that these men set the pace for us young men of that day. They gave us an insight into becoming good rail men and moulded us from their own valuable hard earned experience. It is impossible to put in words all the aspects regarding the lives of Tim and Fred. However. we owe so much for the part they played in our young lives. See acompanying Photos Lionel Noble and Fred Eckert (Deceased) The Late Tim Jenkins Tim Jenkins retired as a Running Shift Foreman at Peterborough, Fred Eckert a Motorman at Adelaide. These men were booked off duty on the 'Roster of Life' on 21.10.77 aged 75, and 5.9.77 aged 76 years, respectively. As one Motorman said, Tim left this life with little fuss, just like he lived when he was in it' - a remark fitting to the man concerned. It was an inspiration to know and work with them. For that we say, thank you for two great steam footplate men who were a credit to the Department in every way. Notes by : (Lionel Noble), Loco Inspector, Adelaide. Railways Institute Magazine, January-February, 1978