Letters From Our Readers

Elmer von Dullen Retires

Elmer started with NOPSI on August 29th, 1954 in the electrical shop
(he claims that that every motor he rewound has not needed to be
rewound since). He worked in various jobs (machine shop for three
years) before becoming head of Streetcar Operations in 1989 (track,
Carrollton shop).

He rebuilt the 35 Perley Thomas streetcars from 1989-1992 along with a
track rebuild. Then the floor and electrical system of the Carrollton
Barn was rebuilt.

Then he worked all night to get the Riverfront Line with a single
track and three donated standard guage P-T streetcars open for the
1988 Republican Convention.

He built six new and converted one P-T for the regauged Riverfront Line.

Then he built the first prototype von Dullen streetcar, #2001. And
then 23 after that for Canal. The first transit agency in a half
century to build a fleet “in house” (except for the RTA’s earlier
Riverfront build) He is the one that said “We can build them” and the
board had enough trust in him to take the risk and do this unique project.

Who else, anywhere, has enough respect and credibility to suggest such
a daring project and have it supported ?

He joins 29 others that retired from RTA today and 7 more that will
retire in July.

He was a true gentleman and the finest “natural” engineer that I have
ever known. Had it not been for him, I would not have become involved
in streetcars, and Urban Rail from there.

I cannot adequately express my emotions, so I just recounted the facts
above.

Best Hopes on A Sad Day,

Alan