SHOEMAKER

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 06:33:51 :

San Rafael Independent
Thursday, March 8, 1928
Page 1

Last ‘Call’ For Veteran Marin Railroad Man
Edwin H. Shoemaker, Who Piloted First Pacific Coast Train, Passes Away

The Supreme Dispatcher yesterday gave the final “clear” order to Edwin H. Shoemaker, who pulled the throttle on the first train ever run over the tracks of the old North Pacific Coast Railroad, predecessor of the Northwestern Pacific. The veteran engineer started on his run into the great unknown yesterday at St. Francis Hospital after an illness of nearly two months. Shoemaker was 87 years of age at the time of his death.

Starting his railroad career as a water boy on the New York Central Railroad, Shoemaker worked his way to the position of engineer, later coming to California, where he entered the employ of Marin county’s first railroad, piloting the first train out of Sausalito. Later he became superintendent of the road, in which capacity he served for a number of years.

Shoemaker became interested in politics in Sausalito, where he resided for many years, and served several terms as a member of the board of town trustees. He was popular alike among his associates in the railroad service and the townspeople of Sausalito.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow in San Francisco, and will be attended by a number of the old timers in Marin county railroad circles.