Born: 1882
Died:
Married:
Children:
Charles H. Baker worked for fifty years as an engineer on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, December 12, 1952
Old- Timer Railroader Likes New Diesels
Here's one gentleman who keeps very much abreast of the times, and that's Charles Baker, formerly of Saranac Lake and now a resident of Plattsburg.
He recently marked his 50th anniversary as a railroad engineer and when asked how he felt about the new, modern Diesel engines, the old-timer declared emphatically, "I wouldn't want to run anything else today."
Mr. Baker, whose sister, Mrs. J. Andrew Baker, and niece, Miss Ruby Baker, live at 19 Virginia street, in this village, is now employed by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Co.
At the age of 14 years he started his railroad career with the then narrow-gauge Chateaugay Railroad as a track patrolman. From that he graduated to engine cleaner and at the age of 17, in 1899, was made a fireman.
When he reached his 21st birthday the young man was promoted to engineer, one of the youngest on the line. When the D&H took over the line. Mr. Baker remained with them.
Known as "top man"' on the engineers' roster of the Saratoga-Champlain division of the D&H. he has been a member of the engineer's brotherhood union for 47 years.
His father, the late William Baker was section foreman on the Chateaugay Railroad and helped build the railroad's line from Lyon Mountain to Saranac Lake.
Mr. Baker has many friends in Saranac Lake where he spent his boyhood and received his education.
