Olean Man Donates Rare Plaque
John Gray, of Olean, recently donated a rare plaque to the society. The plaque had belonged to his father, Cyril Earnest Gray, who was a 30-
year veteran of the Shawmut Line, having been employed as a brakeman and conductor.
The plaque had been presented to Cyril by the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, Lodge No. 588, the union that represented all of the trainmen on the Shawmut.
The plaque is quite large, measuring nearly three feet in height and 18 inches in width. It is 
not a typical service award from the Brotherhood; a 30-year service award was a simple pin. The society is currently researching possible reasons for such a large plaque.
The society greatly appreciates the donation. Plans are under way for displaying the plaque in the passenger waiting room of the depot at the museum in Angelica.
