Delegates’ Train Ride to 1925 Convention Electrified Their Bonds
A century after an epic train ride to an IBEW convention in the northwest corner of the Lower 48, more than 3,000 delegates are planning trips to the southwest corner for the 41st IBEW International Convention in San Diego in September.
Behind the wheel or squeezed into economy class, they’ll reach their destination faster than their counterparts did. But for sheer joy and adventure, there’s no beating the cross-country trek aboard the Brotherhood Special that ferried many of the 350 delegates who attended the 18th International Convention in Seattle 1925.
Exactly 100 years ago, one of them told his story in the May 1926 edition of The Electrical Worker. The account from Brother James Broderick of Montreal Local 492 was published on page 218 of the IBEW’s journal. “Permit me to use some of your valuable space to give to the Brothers the impressions I gathered on that memorable trip,” he began, citing his “good fortune” to be aboard the unique train.
Broderick already had traveled two days by train to Chicago, where Midwest rail operators set up a dedicated line for two Brotherhood Special trains that were arranged by the IBEW Chicago Joint Committee. Before departure on Sunday evening, Aug. 9, they assembled at Sherman House — Eighth District headquarters — then headed in a caravan of vehicles to Chicago’s Union Station to embark. It was quite a scene:
“The spectacle of seeing our autos under motorcycle police escort, ignoring all traffic rules, riding through the city of Chicago, indicates to my mind the influence wielded by the IBEW in that locality, and the conspicuous part played by our esteemed International Vice President, Brother E. J. Evans,” Broderick reported.
The next morning, the Brotherhood Special trains made their first stop at Minneapolis-St. Paul. Locals 110, 292 and 902 rolled out the red carpet:
“At St. Paul, the local boys met us and oh, how I love music with my meals! The breakfast served in the large dining room of the railway station, and the following trip around St. Paul and Minneapolis (again under police escort) was something to be proud of.”
A full day later, their next stop was Great Falls, Mont., where Local 122 hosted a dinner and a tour of a new hydroelectric facility.
“The palatial trains of the C.M. & St. Paul Railway rolled through Minnesota, the Dakotas, through the granary of the middle west, and onward bound to Greater Falls in Montana where again the spirit of fraternity was shown by the local committee,” Broderick wrote. “They too spared no pains to make our stay among them pleasant. We regretted very much to leave, but the call to Seattle to attend our parliament did not permit of a longer stay.”
He also sang the praises of the railway workers.
“A word or two about the two Specials and the attention shown us. The officials of the railway who accompanied us gave us every attention, and I am sure that all delegates will bear me out in this respect, but, oh, that guide, par excellence, Brother Evans, whom I swear Cook’s Tours has nothing on, was on the job night and day and to him, and all his able assistants I wish to express my deep appreciation.
“This was in truth a large family gathering, the smiling countenance of our international president indicative of perfect contentment, making everybody feel the same as himself, was conspicuous on many occasions, and when one talks of harmony — well, it was harmony personified.”
The next leg of the trip took delegates over the Rockies and into Washington. Broderick made it sound magical:
“Next through Montana, into Idaho, to Washington, and Tacoma, the flower garden of the American northwest. The ladies meeting us at the station distributing such a variety of color, the boys from the locals there all vying with each other in their attentions to us. Brothers, it was truly a lesson in fraternal ethics.”
As they traveled through the Cascade Mountains on Aug. 15, one last stop before Seattle took their breath away.
“One of the most pleasant incidents of my travel — Mt. Rainier National Park. I had often wished to see that giant of ice and, alas, my wish was fulfilled. Up the winding roads through the park to Longmire, again up until we reached Paradise Valley, and then Paradise Inn. Whilst towering high above us stood Mount Rainier in all his majesty, covered with an eternal mantle of snow. Such a spectacle one cannot forget.”
The trains reached Seattle on Sunday, Aug. 16, a week after leaving Chicago. Delegates poured into the lobby of the downtown Hotel Olympic, a historic landmark that was nearly brand new when it hosted the IBEW convention.
After five days of meetings that began Aug. 17, 1925, there was still more adventure to come. Before returning to Chicago, the Brotherhood Special took delegates on a sightseeing trip, going nearly as far south on the West Coast as 2026 convention delegates will this fall:
“The Special left from Seattle to Portland, my garden of roses, and the trip on the Columbia Highway was a treat and I will say that it is not surpassed anywhere in America. For scenery and beauty, it was a sight to be marveled at.
“Leaving Portland for San Francisco via the Shasta route we were filled with more thrills, through beautiful mountain scenery winding for miles. Stopping at the Shasta springs, where we could see the other section of the Brotherhood Special Railway hundreds of feet above us, was awe inspiring.”
Then it was on to San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“Now into Frisco and we were subjected to more entertainment. The folks at the Golden Gate spared no efforts to make our stay among them pleasant, and to the Brothers and their ladies I wish to express my deep appreciation for our trip around that beautiful city and into quaint old Chinatown with its variety of color.
“Then to Los Angeles, the city of tall palms, the home of the motion picture industry, the home of the stars with whom we have an acquaintance through the screen. It was my pleasure to be able to see that city and was greatly impressed by the energy displayed by the people in different walks of life.”
Finally, it was time for Brother Broderick’s week-long journey back to eastern Canada.
“At last, I had to take my departure for the east. I wish to thank those who sent me to Seattle and all whom I met for the wonderful time given me and all the kindnesses shown, which permitted me to gather the impressions which I have described, and which will remain ever green in my memory.”
Visit nbew-ibewmuseum.org for more on how to support the IBEW’s preservation of its history. Have a an idea for this feature? Send it to [email protected].
