Brother Darren Mickelson of BLET Division 848 hired out in December of 1993 after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1984-1991.
Congratulations to Brother Darren Mickelson of BLET Division 848 (South Pekin, Ill.) who safely completed his Last Run on November 25, 2025. His retirement became official on December 3.
His railroad career began on December 13, 1993 when he hired out as a conductor on the former Chicago & NorthWestern. After the C&NW merged with the Union Pacific, he chased his seniority to Chicago in May of 1994. He went firing in July of 1994 and upon being setup, joined sister BLET Division 404 out of the Proviso terminal in January of 1995.
Brother Mickelson ran passenger service on Metra, and worked Road and Yard service jobs out of the Proviso Terminal, West Chicago Yard, Belvidere and the Chicago complex while also serving a term as the Alternate Secretary/Treasurer for Division 404. In the spring of 2003, he chased his seniority back to South Pekin. At that time Brother Mickelson transferred to Division 848, and starting in 2007 served 6 consecutive terms as the Local’s Secretary Treasurer until his retirement.
He was a mainstay on the Local Job LPD01 out of Peoria, Ill., for many years while living in his hometown of Eureka, Ill., also working the “chain gang” for six years on the sidelines on Friday nights for his beloved high school football team the Hornets.
In 2017, he moved to Clinton, Iowa, and with that a new job on the Local Job YSG82 out of Sterling, Ill. He returned to the Peoria Local in February of 2025 for his last year of railroading.
Brother Mickelson is a U.S. Veteran having served two enlistments in the U.S. Navy as an Air Traffic Controller from 1984-1991. He has five children and five grandchildren. He said he hopes to enjoy his time camping, fishing and traveling with his girlfriend Lisa upon her own retirement in 2026.
“Division 848 congratulates Brother Darren on his nearly 32-year injury-free career and his loyal service to the men and women of the BLET,” said Division 848Local Chairman Tony Gutierrez.