All Aboard: Meet Joe Cooney, Railroad Person of the Year 2025!

​

Joe Cooney started working for Grand Trunk Western in 1970 on the water service department located on Oak and Brand Street, inside the old grocery house. He then moved to the engine house as a laborer and then a mechanic on diesel locomotives. This working arrangement suited him just fine, as his house is directly behind the site of the old roundhouse! He also has fond memories of playing on GTW Durand’s Softball teams during his time on the railroad.

​

Many of his family members worked for GTW over the years, and it has been said that the Grand Trunk could have prepared, serviced, signaled, switched, conducted, and operated a train just with Cooneys! His Grandfather, Charles J. Cooney, Sr., worked at Durand Union Station for many years. After he lost his arm in a train accident in the early 1900’s, the Grand Trunk gave Charles a job at the Depot’s famous diamond as a crossing man. The wye that led into the yard from the main line was affectionately known as the “Cooney Wye.” His cousin, Jerry Chapman, is himself a former Railroad Person of the Year.

​

Joe is a proud United States Marine and served our country during the Vietnam War. He currently serves local veterans in our community as the current Commander at the Durand VFW Post 2272. He has served in this role since 2018, and has been a lifetime member of the post since the 1970s. He enjoys hunting and being outdoors as much as possible.

The Cooney Railroad Family
Grandfather: Charles J. Cooney, Sr.
Father: Charles J. Cooney, Jr.
Uncles: Mike Cooney, Bob Cooney, Ed Cooney
Brothers: Bill Cooney, Tom Cooney
Brother-in-law: Monte Skeels
Cousins: Jerry Chapman (RRPOY), Bob Cooney II