Includes material documenting the career of Southern Pacific locomotive engineer Henry L. Midkiff.

Henry L. Midkiff worked for the Southern Pacific for forty-five years. Born in Virginia on September 11, 1918, Mr. Midkiff came to California and began his career at Southern Pacific as a carpenter's helper in Marysville, California in 1936. He married in 1941. Four years of army service followed during which he won a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. He was promoted to locomotive engineer by Southern Pacific on August 25, 1944. Working out of Roseville, Midkiff operated steam and diesel locomotives. In 1981 he had the honor of bringing SP steam locomotive No. 4449 to Sacramento to celebrate the opening of the California State Railroad Museum. The run coincided with Midkiff's normal work shift on the last day of his 45 years with the SP. A member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for 40 years, he served as the Secretary-Treasurer of Division 415, Chaplain, Chief Engineer, Local Chairman and Division President. He was a member of the Masons, the Shriners, and the Elks. Henry and his wife Eleanor, had a son, Michael, and two daughters, Susan and Patricia. H. L. Midkiff passed away on August 2, 1995 in Placer County at age 76.

1 half- box + 1 oversize box

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