• PRINT EDITIONS
  • | CONTACT
  • | TEL: 540.962.2121 | E: hello@virginianreview.com
Thursday, August 11, 2022
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
The Virginian Review
  • HOME
  • NEWS
    • All
    • Crime
    • Local News
    • National News
    • State News
    Leading Lawn and Garden Manufacturer Selects Virginia for Expansion

    Leading Lawn and Garden Manufacturer Selects Virginia for Expansion

    Virginia State Police investigating pedestrian in Pittsylvania County

    Virginia State Police investigating pedestrian in Pittsylvania County

    Agriculturalists discuss Virginia’s farming future at annual Farm Bureau expo

    Agriculturalists discuss Virginia’s farming future at annual Farm Bureau expo

    Local partners come together to deliver food drive donations at Feeding Southwest Virginia

    Local partners come together to deliver food drive donations at Feeding Southwest Virginia

    136th generation of new Virginia State Police troopers graduate

    136th generation of new Virginia State Police troopers graduate

    Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County

    Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County

    The Babcock House hosts special needs moms

    The Babcock House hosts special needs moms

    The Virginia Distiller’s Association and River City Festivals is excited to announce the first Virginia Spirits Expo

    The Virginia Distiller’s Association and River City Festivals is excited to announce the first Virginia Spirits Expo

    Attorney General Miyares joins 22 States in support of ending unlawful CDC mandate

    Attorney General Miyares joins 22 States in support of ending unlawful CDC mandate

    Trending Tags

      • LOCAL NEWS
      • STATE NEWS
      • NATIONAL NEWS
      • Tech & Business
      • CRIME
    • COMMUNITY
    • Obituaries
    • GOVERNMENT
      • All
      • City
      • County
      • State
      Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

      Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

      No MVP in this Trading Deal?

      No MVP in this Trading Deal?

      Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

      Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

      Police Change Account Of Crash Killing Indiana Rep. Walorski

      Police Change Account Of Crash Killing Indiana Rep. Walorski

      Griffith opposes assault weapons ban

      Griffith opposes assault weapons ban

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: A Wild Day from Wise to Washington

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: A Wild Day from Wise to Washington

      Griffith Statement on CHIPS-Plus Bill

      Griffith Statement on CHIPS-Plus Bill

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Biden Administration is Indifferent to the Pain of Average Americans

      Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Biden Administration is Indifferent to the Pain of Average Americans

      Trending Tags

        • City
        • County
        • State
      • Sports
        • All
        • College Sports
        • High School Sports
        • Local Sports
        Golf Matches Are Underway

        Golf Matches Are Underway

        Mountaineers Win Area Golf Match At Homestead

        Mountaineers Win Area Golf Match At Homestead

        Tom Sox Win Third VBL Championship

        Tom Sox Win Third VBL Championship

        The 2022 Chamber Classic Golf Tournament

        The 2022 Chamber Classic Golf Tournament

        Lumberjacks 2022 Season Review

        Lumberjacks 2022 Season Review

        Jacks Swept By TomSox

        Jacks Swept By TomSox

        Ford Takes Part In Team USA’s Gold Medal And WBSC Championship Title

        Ford Takes Part In Team USA’s Gold Medal And WBSC Championship Title

        SIGNS USA Pitcher of the Week: Richard Long

        SIGNS USA Pitcher of the Week: Richard Long

        Summer Football Camp

        Summer Football Camp

        Trending Tags

          • Local Sports
          • High School Sports
          • College Sports
        • Lifestyle & Culture
        No Result
        View All Result
        • HOME
        • NEWS
          • All
          • Crime
          • Local News
          • National News
          • State News
          Leading Lawn and Garden Manufacturer Selects Virginia for Expansion

          Leading Lawn and Garden Manufacturer Selects Virginia for Expansion

          Virginia State Police investigating pedestrian in Pittsylvania County

          Virginia State Police investigating pedestrian in Pittsylvania County

          Agriculturalists discuss Virginia’s farming future at annual Farm Bureau expo

          Agriculturalists discuss Virginia’s farming future at annual Farm Bureau expo

          Local partners come together to deliver food drive donations at Feeding Southwest Virginia

          Local partners come together to deliver food drive donations at Feeding Southwest Virginia

          136th generation of new Virginia State Police troopers graduate

          136th generation of new Virginia State Police troopers graduate

          Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County

          Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County

          The Babcock House hosts special needs moms

          The Babcock House hosts special needs moms

          The Virginia Distiller’s Association and River City Festivals is excited to announce the first Virginia Spirits Expo

          The Virginia Distiller’s Association and River City Festivals is excited to announce the first Virginia Spirits Expo

          Attorney General Miyares joins 22 States in support of ending unlawful CDC mandate

          Attorney General Miyares joins 22 States in support of ending unlawful CDC mandate

          Trending Tags

            • LOCAL NEWS
            • STATE NEWS
            • NATIONAL NEWS
            • Tech & Business
            • CRIME
          • COMMUNITY
          • Obituaries
          • GOVERNMENT
            • All
            • City
            • County
            • State
            Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

            Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

            No MVP in this Trading Deal?

            No MVP in this Trading Deal?

            Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

            Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

            Police Change Account Of Crash Killing Indiana Rep. Walorski

            Police Change Account Of Crash Killing Indiana Rep. Walorski

            Griffith opposes assault weapons ban

            Griffith opposes assault weapons ban

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: A Wild Day from Wise to Washington

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: A Wild Day from Wise to Washington

            Griffith Statement on CHIPS-Plus Bill

            Griffith Statement on CHIPS-Plus Bill

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Biden Administration is Indifferent to the Pain of Average Americans

            Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: Biden Administration is Indifferent to the Pain of Average Americans

            Trending Tags

              • City
              • County
              • State
            • Sports
              • All
              • College Sports
              • High School Sports
              • Local Sports
              Golf Matches Are Underway

              Golf Matches Are Underway

              Mountaineers Win Area Golf Match At Homestead

              Mountaineers Win Area Golf Match At Homestead

              Tom Sox Win Third VBL Championship

              Tom Sox Win Third VBL Championship

              The 2022 Chamber Classic Golf Tournament

              The 2022 Chamber Classic Golf Tournament

              Lumberjacks 2022 Season Review

              Lumberjacks 2022 Season Review

              Jacks Swept By TomSox

              Jacks Swept By TomSox

              Ford Takes Part In Team USA’s Gold Medal And WBSC Championship Title

              Ford Takes Part In Team USA’s Gold Medal And WBSC Championship Title

              SIGNS USA Pitcher of the Week: Richard Long

              SIGNS USA Pitcher of the Week: Richard Long

              Summer Football Camp

              Summer Football Camp

              Trending Tags

                • Local Sports
                • High School Sports
                • College Sports
              • Lifestyle & Culture
              No Result
              View All Result
              The Virginian Review
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home News Local News

              Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society Statement on the Passing of Hays T. Watkins, Jr.

              The Virginian Review by The Virginian Review
              August 5, 2022
              in Local News
              Reading Time: 7 mins read
              A A
              0
              Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society Statement on the Passing of Hays T. Watkins, Jr.
              12
              SHARES
              81
              VIEWS
              Share on FacebookShare on TwitterEMAIL

              Clifton Forge, Va. (VR) – The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Hays T. Watkins, Jr., our friend for many decades and our biggest champion. He was also one of the key players in creating the modern system of American railroading. His support of the C&O Historical Society’s mission led to the creation of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Archive we administer today. Over the years, his actions for C&OHS directly supported our ability to preserve and publish the history he not only cherished, but lived throughout his career.

              Hays, as his autobiography’s title encouraged us and others to call him, was elected by the C&O Railway board to be President and CEO of the combined C&O and B&O in 1971. The Kentucky native later became the first president of CSX Transportation in 1980.

              According to C&OHS Founder and Chief Historian Thomas W. Dixon, Jr., “Hays took a liking to the C&O Historical Society in the late 1970s and became our mentor. He had always liked trains and at our 1982 conference in Richmond, where he was the keynote speaker, he said, ‘I am a dedicated railfan.’ No other high railroad executive had ever said this, anywhere. He followed it up by seeing to our support in many ways not just by the company but by him personally. At that meeting he became our first Honorary Life Member.”

              Dixon further explained how Hays helped create the modern C&O Historical Society, “He ensured that we were given the most important surplus materials including over 250,000 original C&O mechanical and engineering drawings, over 1,000 linear feet of engineering records, over 200,000 official public relations photos, corporate minutes of 139 predecessor companies, and much other material no longer required as CSX was created. This material is now the backbone of the C&OHS archives and is used in everything we do: magazines, books, pamphlets, restoration, and memorabilia. The C&O Historical Society would not exist today in any way as it does without the guiding advice, the grants and the donations from Hays Watkins while he was head of Chessie System and CSX and in the years since his 1991 retirement right up to the present. Several cars in our museum collection were donated to the Society by his direction.”

              C&O Historical Society President Mark Totten reflected on the time he knew Hays, “He was a gentleman with a genuine, down-to-earth demeanor, and a character of the highest integrity. Hays never lost interest in C&O Historical Society news, publications, and current projects. I will miss our conversations on railroad history, leadership, and the Society.”

              C&O Historical Society Vice President Clifford Clements stated, “Hays was as good of a friend and supporter to C&OHS as we have ever had. Couple that with his integrity, honesty, and being a gentleman, we have a man who was transformative to the railroad industry and in his support for C&OHS.”

              Hays Watkins was born in Fern Creek, Kentucky, Jan. 26, 1926 and graduated from Western Kentucky University with an MA Degree in Accounting in 1947. He received his CPA from Northwestern University in 1948 and went to work for C&O Railway in 1949.

              Mr. Watkins was hired into the Special Assistant to the President’s office in Cleveland, where he worked with several others on special issues until 1950 when this office was eliminated. Afterward he moved to Richmond as an internal auditor in the C&O accounting office. From there he returned to Cleveland as staff assistant to the Comptroller and progressed through several steadily more responsible positions there. He was recognized for his thoughtful and intelligent approach to problems and was a very well-liked staff member. He held the following positions over time:

              1956-1958 – Senior Budget Analyst

              1958-1960 – General Auditor

              1960-1964 – Treasurer C&O and later Asst. Vice-president C&O/B&O 1964-1971 – Vice-president, Finance, C&O/B&O

              1971-1973 – President & CEO C&O/B&O

              1973-1975 – Chairman and CEO Chessie System

              1975-1980 – Chairman, President, and CEO, Chessie System, Inc.

              1980-1982 – Chairman and co-CEO, CSX Corporation

              1982-1989 – Chairman and CEO, CSX Corporation

              1989-1991 – Chairman, CSX Corp.

              Feb., 1991 – 2022 Chairman Emeritus, CSX Corp.

              Because of his recognized abilities in the financial arena and detailed understanding of how railroading was changing over the years he was a key person in the affiliation of C&O/B&O, its metamorphism into Chessie System, and leading up to the CSX merger. In fact, he began with detailed passenger train studies and covered most train-by-train. He foresaw the collapse of Penn Central and arranged to protect C&O/B&O financially during the collapse of eastern railroading.

              As a financial leader during the C&O/B&O affiliation years he was positioned to help guide the company through some of the worst years in eastern railroading following the Penn Central collapse. Had he been able to accomplish his plan for the takeover of Conrail in partnership with Norfolk Southern later on, the whole complexion of modern railroading might have been different.

              One of his first moves upon assuming position of CEO of C&O/B&O was to rename the company to Chessie System Railroads, and give it an entirely bright new livery on all its locomotives and cars. This was done in the face of declining fortunes for eastern railroads and did much to instill a new esprit de ‘corps in the employees of the company and to give it an all-new face to the people of the region of its service.

              In his introduction of employees to the new Chessie System name, Watkins mentioned the heritage of the kitten back to 1934, and then said “Now Chessie System says to the world that two great railroads are as one in their commitment to carefulness in handling freight and decent consideration in all human relationships.”

              He was recognized as one of the most honest, ethical, even-handed, and thoughtful executives ever to sit behind a desk. He was simply in a league of his own in how he took the time to look at all sides, see things from others’ perspectives, and maintain an even hand in all dealings. This is reflected in the statement above where he says the company was to have “decent consideration in all human relationships.” He lived this and through his evenhanded and straightforward dealings, made many important things happen.

              C&OHS Director Matt Crouch reflected, “People who reach lofty positions, as Hays did, often receive titles and honorary titles. However, if Hays Watkins could be summed up in one word, the simple title of Railroader would be the one we should use most often.”

              C&OHS President Mark Totten concluded, “American railroading, and the railroad historical community, has lost a titan. The C&O Historical Society and its 2,400 members worldwide have lost a friend the likes of which we’ll never see again.”

              The C&O Historical Society’s Business Office & Archive is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM and may be contacted by telephone at 540-862-2210 or by email at cohs@cohs.org. The C&OHS archive database is available online at archives.cohs.org. Updates and additional information can be found on Facebook under @cohs.org or on Instagram at @ChessiesRoad.

              The Virginian Review

              The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914.

              Tags: AuditBookCareerChessie SystemClifton ForgeCommunityConrailCSX CorporationEmailForgeInformationMeetingMinutesOfficeOfficialPartnershipSocietyUniversityWar
              Previous Post

              Bath County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda for Aug. 2022

              Next Post

              Gabby Petito’s Legacy: $100K For Domestic Violence Hotline

              The Virginian Review

              The Virginian Review

              The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914.

              Related Posts

              Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County
              Local News

              Virginia State Police investigating fatal car crash in Alleghany County

              by The Virginian Review
              August 11, 2022
              Alleghany Highlands School Board to Conduct Called Meeting
              Local News

              Alleghany Highlands School Board to Conduct Called Meeting

              by The Virginian Review
              August 10, 2022
              Main Street Missionary Baptist Church sponsored its first Back to School Supply Giveaway
              Local News

              Main Street Missionary Baptist Church sponsored its first Back to School Supply Giveaway

              by The Virginian Review
              August 10, 2022
              The Alleghany Foundation Supports Local Drug Court
              Local News

              The Alleghany Foundation Supports Local Drug Court

              by The Virginian Review
              August 10, 2022
              Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society Rescues Piece of New River Gorge History Thanks  to Archival Discovery and Digital Artist Ken Miller
              Local News

              Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society Rescues Piece of New River Gorge History Thanks to Archival Discovery and Digital Artist Ken Miller

              by The Virginian Review
              August 10, 2022
              Load More
              Next Post
              Gabby Petito’s Legacy: $100K For Domestic Violence Hotline

              Gabby Petito's Legacy: $100K For Domestic Violence Hotline

              Leave a Reply Cancel reply

              Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

              Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

              Relief for Veterans Exposed to Toxic Burn Pits

              August 11, 2022
              Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

              Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter: So-Called Inflation Reduction Act Taxes and Spends, Won’t Reduce Inflation

              August 10, 2022
              No MVP in this Trading Deal?

              No MVP in this Trading Deal?

              August 10, 2022
              Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

              Griffith: FBI Must Explain Raid on Mar-a-Lago

              August 10, 2022

              Browse by Category

              • No categories

              Browse by Tags

              Alleghany County Business Child Clifton Clifton Forge College Community County Covington Dear Abby Death Echoes of the Past Experience Family Featured Forge Hand Health Home Individual Information Law Life Meeting Music Nation Night Office Official OK Parent Past People Report Road School South Street Student Team Time Tree Virginia War West
              QR Code
              The Virginian Review

              Serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County Since 1914.

              Information

              • Privacy Policy
              • Terms & Conditions
              • Careers
              • Contact Us

              © 2022 The Virginian Review | All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Ecent Corporation

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Login
              • __________________
              • Home
              • Editions
              • News
              • Community
              • Obituaries
              • Sports
              • Government
              • Lifestyle & Culture
              • __________________
              • Contact Us
              • Careers
              • Subscribe
              • Terms & Conditions
              • Privacy Policy

              © 2022 The Virginian Review | All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Ecent Corporation

              Welcome Back!

              Sign In with Facebook
              Sign In with Google
              OR

              Login to your account below

              Forgotten Password? Sign Up

              Create New Account!

              Sign Up with Facebook
              Sign Up with Google
              OR

              Fill the forms bellow to register

              All fields are required. Log In

              Retrieve your password

              Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

              Log In