Re: Alamosa January 30 1941

Salida engineer Ray Hockett was No. 20 in seniority in 1920. Born circa 1891, he could have had higher seniority if he started railroading sooner. His fireman's date was 3-25-1917 and his engineer's date was 6-20-1923.
His promotion came about the same time the Rio Grande started buying larger engines so most of the time he was firing. Even in 1939 he worked only 32 weeks making $1,700.
In 1940 he was qualified for passenger train service as engineer as well as being an engineer on the Monarch Branch. He was not qualified to be an engineer or pilot on the rotary.
Ray Hockett last appeared on a seniority list in 1954 when he retired on disability. He was No. 7 on that list.