Robert Hall Smith (March 10, 1888 – June 18, 1960), a native of Baltimore, Maryland, served as President of the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) from 1946 to 1958. He was first employed on the N&W during the summer of 1910 as an axeman and chainman on a surveying crew. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University in 1911, he returned to the N&W where he remained until his retirement.
Smith was named Vice President Operations in 1941. He succeeded William J. Jenks as president in 1946.
Smith was a proponent of steam motive power during his tenure as president. He authorized operating tests in 1952 to compare General Motors Electro-Motive Division diesel locomotives with two N&W-designed and -built steam locomotives. He also supported the experimental coal-burning, steam-turbine electric locomotive, Jawn Henry, which the Railway tested from 1954 to 1957.
Smith retired from the N&W on March 31, 1958, and was succeeded by Stuart T. Saunders.
His nickname "Racehorse" came from his long stride and rapid pace. The story goes that once when offered a ride to his office he declined saying that he was in a hurry.
Referencesedit
Striplin, E.F. Pat. (1997). The Norfolk & Western: a history. Forest, VA: Norfolk & Western Historical Society. ISBN0-9633254-6-9.
robert, smith, railway, president, robert, hall, smith, march, 1888, june, 1960, native, baltimore, maryland, served, president, norfolk, western, railway, from, 1946, 1958, first, employed, during, summer, 1910, axeman, chainman, surveying, crew, after, gradu. Robert Hall Smith March 10 1888 June 18 1960 a native of Baltimore Maryland served as President of the Norfolk and Western Railway N amp W from 1946 to 1958 He was first employed on the N amp W during the summer of 1910 as an axeman and chainman on a surveying crew After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University in 1911 he returned to the N amp W where he remained until his retirement Smith was named Vice President Operations in 1941 He succeeded William J Jenks as president in 1946 Smith was a proponent of steam motive power during his tenure as president He authorized operating tests in 1952 to compare General Motors Electro Motive Division diesel locomotives with two N amp W designed and built steam locomotives He also supported the experimental coal burning steam turbine electric locomotive Jawn Henry which the Railway tested from 1954 to 1957 Smith retired from the N amp W on March 31 1958 and was succeeded by Stuart T Saunders His nickname Racehorse came from his long stride and rapid pace The story goes that once when offered a ride to his office he declined saying that he was in a hurry References editStriplin E F Pat 1997 The Norfolk amp Western a history Forest VA Norfolk amp Western Historical Society ISBN 0 9633254 6 9 Preceded byWilliam J Jenks President of Norfolk and Western Railway1946 1958 Succeeded byStuart T Saunders Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert H Smith railway president amp oldid 1166680662, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
