Robert Hall Smith
Encyclopedia
Robert Hall Smith a native of Baltimore, Maryland, served as President of the Norfolk and Western Railway
(N&W) from 1946-1958. He was first employed on the N&W during the summer of 1910 as an axeman and chainman on a surveying crew. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University
in 1911, he returned to the N&W where he remained until his retirement.
Smith was named Vice President Operations in 1941. He succeeded William J. Jenks
as President in 1946.
Smith was a proponent of steam motive power during his tenure as President. He authorized operating tests in 1952 to compare General Motors Electro-Motive Division diesel locomotives with two N&W-designed and -built steam locomotives. He also supported the experimental coal-burning, steam-turbine electric locomotive, Jawn Henry, which the Railway tested from 1954 to 1957.
Smith retired from the N&W on March 31, 1958, and was succeeded by Stuart T. Saunders
.
His nickname "Racehorse" came from his long stride and rapid pace. The story goes that once when offered a ride to his office he declined saying that he was in a hurry.
Norfolk and Western Railway
The Norfolk and Western Railway , a US class I railroad, was formed by more than 200 railroad mergers between 1838 and 1982. It had headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia for most of its 150 year existence....
(N&W) from 1946-1958. He was first employed on the N&W during the summer of 1910 as an axeman and chainman on a surveying crew. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1911, he returned to the N&W where he remained until his retirement.
Smith was named Vice President Operations in 1941. He succeeded William J. Jenks
William J. Jenks
William Jackson Jenks was a 70 year veteran of railroading. He served as President of the Roanoke, Virginia, based Norfolk and Western Railway from 1936 to 1946 and N&W Chairman from 1946 to 1953. Entombed in Fern Cliff Abbey in Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Virginia....
as President in 1946.
Smith was a proponent of steam motive power during his tenure as President. He authorized operating tests in 1952 to compare General Motors Electro-Motive Division diesel locomotives with two N&W-designed and -built steam locomotives. He also supported the experimental coal-burning, steam-turbine electric locomotive, Jawn Henry, which the Railway tested from 1954 to 1957.
Smith retired from the N&W on March 31, 1958, and was succeeded by Stuart T. Saunders
Stuart T. Saunders
Stuart Thomas Saunders was an American railroad executive.Saunders served as president of the Norfolk and Western Railway, one of the nation's most profitable, from 1958 to 1963...
.
His nickname "Racehorse" came from his long stride and rapid pace. The story goes that once when offered a ride to his office he declined saying that he was in a hurry.