Dining Car Superintendents

[benjamintickell53]

Menus and other undated dining car items can sometimes be dated by the name of the dining car superintendent. Please add to this list if you can refine dates, add names or make other corrections. Dates are from miscellaneous issues of the Pocket List of Railroad Officials, MP menus that have both date and the name of a superintendent, and various issues of Missouri Pacific Magazine.

G.L. Bonney – (listed in 1908 Pocket List)
L.M. Hill – ca 1916
L.E. Martin – circa 1922 to 2nd half 1940 (per Pocket List, listed 1940-2nd, gone by 1941-1st)
W.F. Ziervogel, started 2nd half 1940. Retired July 1, 1953 per MP Mag.
A.C. Drui, replaced Ziervogel on July 1, 1953 per MP Mag. Listed on menus into early 1965. (Drui’s name last appeared in May 1963 Official Guide; Dining car Superintendent position not listed in Guide thereafter)
J.W. Cornett, (By 1966, possibly 1965, continuing into 1970. Through at least 5-68 per menu; Pocket List thru 4th 1970 ??)
J.M. Toler, was reportedly given responsibility for dining car operation after Cornett retired.

Bill Pollard

[benjamintickell53]

@arkrail wrote:

G.L. Bonney – (listed in 1908 Pocket List)
L.M. Hill – ca 1916
L.E. Martin – circa 1922 to 2nd half 1940 (per Pocket List, listed 1940-2nd, gone by 1941-1st)
W.F. Ziervogel, started 2nd half 1940. Retired July 1, 1953 per MP Mag.
A.C. Drui, replaced Ziervogel on July 1, 1953 per MP Mag. Listed on menus into early 1965. (Drui’s name last appeared in May 1963 Official Guide; Dining car Superintendent position not listed in Guide thereafter)
J.W. Cornett, (By 1966, possibly 1965, continuing into 1970. Through at least 5-68 per menu; Pocket List thru 4th 1970 ??)
J.M. Toler, was reportedly given responsibility for dining car operation after Cornett retired.

As a result of additional information and research, the above list should be revised as follows:
A.C. Drui replaced Ziervogel on July 1, 1953 and retired ca July 1966 after 42 years of MP service.
J.W. Cornett was appointed general superintendent of dining cars to replace Drui (ca July 1966, reported in August 1966 MP News) and remained in that position until at least 1970 and possibly through the end of MP passenger service on April 30, 1971.
It is currently unclear whether J.M. Toler was given specific responsibility for dining car operation in the final months, or whether Cornett simply reported to him.

Bill Pollard

[Author]

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