From left: LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang, Superintendent of Engine Service Kevin Flynn, Engineer of the Year Eric Ramos, and Division 269 President Karl Bischoff.
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BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment honored recent retirees and recognized member Eric Ramos as Engineer of the Year at its annual Dinner Dance, held in late November. This is the 58th year in a row that the event has been held.
LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang presented the 2025 Albert J. Sollar LIRR Engineer of the Year Award to Eric Ramos. Retirees Chris Santana, Tim Gay, Melanie Kern, Gerald Haldas, Tom Catherines, Mike Bartnicki, Regina Banks, Ed Jackson, William Vitale, Warren Freveret III, Paul Lauro, Tracie Trent, Phil Graziose, Anne Kochendorfer, Jamie Collard, Brian McManus, and Bret Becker also were honored.
Ramos was recognized for his selfless and professional conduct during a close-call incident while operating Train #559 on February 19, 2025. Ramos averted a pedestrian suicide attempt by quickly and safely brining his passenger train to an emergency stop, then assisting the young woman who was in clear emotional distress. He also helped guide her into the locomotive where he continued to offer comfort as she was transported to the care of medical personnel at Mineola Station.
“This incident is a clear example of Brother Ramos’ complete professionalism: rapid hazard recognition, correct use of emergency procedures, and steady decision-making in a situation where seconds matter,” Lang said. “It also reflects his character as a human being. Brother Ramos treated a young person in crisis with dignity and the utmost compassion while still fulfilling his primary responsibility — safe train operation and the protection of his passengers and crew.”
A gallery of photos from the 2025 Dinner Dance is available here.
BLET members and guests at the 58th annual LIRR Dinner Dance.