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Ernest Lion inspects a load destined for Tennaco Oil Go. in Ghalmet, La. The machinery, used for oil refining, weighs 249,540 pounds net. It is 14 feet 7 1/2 inches wide at 10 feet 3 inches high from the top of the rail. Mr. Lion is wearing his new Greenlighters Club jacket. |
Shippers in the New Orleans area know they can depend on Ernest Lion to answer their questions regarding open top loading on Southern.
Mr. Lion, who has 34 years of service, is Southern's open load inspector at Oliver Yard in New Orleans. He works with not only shippers in the New Orleans area, but also with other shippers who deal through local brokers in shipping inbound overseas shipments by rail from New Orleans.
TIES has selected Mr. Lion as a member of the Greenlighters Club. The club recognizes employees who go above and beyond the call of duty when serving customers.
Among the customers praising Mr. Lion is Henry B. Craig of Combustion Engineering, Inc. in Chattanooga. He said in part: "Mr. Lion is to be commended for his assistance before, during and after loading two steel forgings in New Orleans. Through his professionalism and dedication, a most difficult loading problem went very well and arrived in Chattanooga on schedule and in perfect condition."
When a shipper calls, Mr. Lion immediately sets up a time to meet to discuss loading the shipper's commodity. "I measure his load and tell him what materials are required to secure it to the car," Mr. Lion said.
When the flat cars arrive, Mr. Lion gets back with the shipper and points out details he wants them to pay special attention to when loading. Everything must meet rule book specifications before the load will be accepted.
"A load that is not properly secured may shift or get damaged in transit," Mr. Lion said. "This results in time wasted if the car has to be pulled from the train to straighten a shifted load."
Mr. L. C. Smith, master mechanic at New Orleans also appreciates Mr. Lion's work. "Ernie goes beyond his job responsibilities in extending his services to the shipper or consignee," he said.
"He takes on the job of coordinating the whole operation. He furnishes the local shippers his home telephone number and asks that they call him if any problems are encountered.
"Working with the shipper in this way is a benefit to Southern. The shipper knows he can rely on the information Mr. Lion gives him."