Peter L. Sylvester

Locomotive engineer Peter L. Sylvester, 59 years old at the time of his death, was employed with Amtrak and was a member of Division 752 in Albany, N.Y. Shortly after Westbound Amtrak train 49 departed Rochester, N.Y. with engineer Sylvester at the throttle, an eastbound Conrail freight passed Train 49 in a series of curves. A shifted load of lumber struck the engineer’s side of the cab, killing Brother Sylvester instantly. Division 752 donated the engineers to operate a Turbo Train at no cost to Amtrak so that Amtrak employees could attend Brother Sylvester’s funeral service.