Retired railroader George Edward Scott has seen many changes in his life – from the coming of the diesel engine to the decline of the railroad in Ironton.

Tuesday, August 01, 2000

Retired railroader George Edward Scott has seen many changes in his life – from the coming of the diesel engine to the decline of the railroad in Ironton.

A lifetime employee of the C&O, the 93-year-old Ironton resident now spends his days running errands for others and visiting friends who are hospitalized, sick or in nursing homes.

He said that being able to maintain the energy of a younger man at his advanced age is the result of living a clean life, treating others as they wish to be treated, and living a Christian lifestyle.

Before retiring in 1972, Scott worked for the railroad for 48 years. He started working as a laborer, laying track for the C&O Railroad in Virginia.

"I was a small person in those days," Scott said. "So a lot of places wouldn’t hire me. I guess they (the C&O) had pity on me."

A year later, in 1925, Scott moved to the area to work at Roundhouse Locomotive, an engine supplier also owned by C&O.

A year after that, Scott moved to Ironton. He lived in Greenup, Ky., for a time with his wife, Edna, before moving back to Ironton.

The move marked many changes in Scott’s life. Once in the area, he started to work on the coal-burning steam engines that powered C&O’s many locomotives.

"To be around those steam engines was a great experience. It was thrilling," Scott said.

Scott was still working on the engines years later when C&O switched from coal-burning steam engines to diesel fuel.

He said the change meant that a lot of people lost their jobs.

"A lot of companies merged after the diesels came. The whole thing was different."

Despite the changes, Scott said that he never considered leaving the railroad life.

"I didn’t know anything else (other than the railroad life)," Scott said. "But I made enough money there to support my family."

After a career in the Army, Scott’s oldest son, George Jr., followed his father’s example by working at C&O for a time before moving to Washington, D.C., to work as an electrician.

Scott’s youngest son, Robert also served in the military before going to work for Ashland Oil. His daughter, Laura, lives in Toledo where she is caring for an elderly aunt.

Scott said that he still enjoys train travel, although he doesn’t get many opportunities these days.

"It makes me sad to think of it, but there used to be six to eight passenger trains come through here a day. Now there are only three or so a week," Scott said.

Once a year, Scott and his wife travel to see relatives in Virginia – a trip now taken by car.