Honouring Bob Thiel

It is with great sadness that the RTBU Locomotive Division reports the passing of retired enfield driver, Bob Thiel, aged 93. Dave Mathie, the Loco Division Vice President Freight has shared some beautiful words about Bob below.

“Bob was highly respected by everybody who worked with him, both on and off the footplate.

“As a union officer he gained (along with the late Jack Glennan and the late Harry Foster) many improvements to the enginemen’s award and conditions, including the incorporation of all regular work into a forecast roster, thus eliminating total roustabout working.

“Bob also (along with jack and harry and others) helped establish the enfield loco social club and the “call club” to help enginemen and other employees in financial difficulty due to extended illness. He was also a great mate to work with, a great teacher and mentor, and a terrific ally in times of disciplinary action. His funeral will be at 1130 hours on Thursday 15 Nov at Rookwood Crematorium.”

The Locomotive Division send our deepest sympathies to the family of Bob Thiel, and honour Bob for his wonderful contributions to the Locomotive industry, his workmates and Union.