Neal McCusker explained

Neal McCusker CBE (20 October 1907 – 27 July 1987),^[1] often misspelled "Neil", was Commissioner of Railways in New South Wales 1956–1972.

History

McCusker was born in Marrickville, Sydney,^[1] the only child of John Robert McCusker (c. 1850 – 11 October 1947)^[2] and his wife Emma Helen Neale "Emmie" McCusker, née Bird (c. 1868 – 13 October 1942),^[3] who married at Cootamundra on 7 November 1906.^[4]

He was educated at the Byrock public school, gaining QCs (Qualifying Certificates) in 1918^[5] and 1919,^[6] then entered Dubbo High School where in 1922 he passed the Intermediate Certificate^[7] and joined the Railways. Like Reg Winsor, McCusker was born into a railway family — his father was stationmaster at Cobar in 1928,^[8] in which year his son was promoted to Relieving Stationmaster at Byrock.^[9]

He continued studying part-time, in 1933 passing Advanced Accounting, and in 1935 Federal Income Tax, both exams conducted by the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants.^{[10] [11]}

In 1954, while Winsor was taking three months' sick leave, State Cabinet appointed McCusker to act in his place, over two more senior officers: William Arthur Anderson (Secretary for Railways) and Allan James McAndrew (Assistant Secretary). This breach of public service norms was widely resented.^[12]

Conversion to diesel

The decision to switch from steam to diesel engines was made in 1956 and entirely implemented during McCusker's reign as Commissioner. Within ten years all the department's main lines had been given over to diesel traction and facilities for steam working were retained on only a few lines: Gosford–Newcastle and Sydney–Goulburn and a few Dubbo branch lines, while the fleet of 1,164 steam locomotives in 1956 was down to 431 in 1966.^[13]

Recognition

• McCusker was made Honorary Colonel of the Australian Engineer and Railway Staff Corps on 27 February 1957.^[14]
• He was made a CBE in 1959.^[15]
• In 1975 he was appointed chairman of the NSW Travel Agents' Registration Board.^[16]

Family

McCusker married Mary Irene "Rene" Magick on 9 November 1932.^[17] Two daughters survived to adulthood: Alison McCusker and Jill McCusker, later Fitch.

See also

• New South Wales Government Railways 1855–1932
• Department of Railways New South Wales 1932–1972
• Public Transport Commission 1972–1980
• State Rail Authority 1980–
• Minister for Transport (New South Wales) list of ministers

Notes and References

1. Book: Craig Mackey . Australian Dictionary of Biography 'McCusker, Neal (1907–1987) . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . 2012 . 12 April 2024.
2. News: Family Notices . . 34,261 . New South Wales, Australia . 13 October 1947 . 12 April 2024 . 16 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Mrs Emma McCusker . . 67 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 October 1942 . 12 April 2024 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Wedding . . XXX . 90 . New South Wales, Australia . 10 November 1906 . 12 April 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia. McCusker here misspelled McClusker
5. News: Qualifying Certificate . . LXI . 38 . New South Wales, Australia . 12 February 1919 . 11 April 2024 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Qualifying Certificate . . XXXII . 9795 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 January 1920 . 11 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: The Intermediate . . New South Wales, Australia . 20 February 1923 . 12 April 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Merit Rewarded . . 983 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 August 1928 . 11 April 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Advancement . . 1008 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 November 1928 . 12 April 2024 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Final Exams . . 7479 . New South Wales, Australia . 19 December 1933 . 12 April 2024 . 19 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: Tax Test . . 7934 . New South Wales, Australia . 7 June 1935 . 12 April 2024 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
12. News: Top Railway Appointment Unpopular . . 4416 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 December 1954 . 12 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
13. News: Dieselisation . . New South Wales, Australia . 16 September 1966 . 11 April 2024 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Australian Military Forces . . 25 . Australia, Australia . 9 May 1957 . 12 April 2024 . 1352 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: 12 Australian Knights in Birthday Honours . . 33 . 9,315 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 June 1959 . 11 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
16. News: Travel Agents Registration Board . . 47 . New South Wales, Australia . 2 April 1976 . 11 April 2024 . 1471 . National Library of Australia.
17. News: About Mudgee People . . New South Wales, Australia . 14 November 1932 . 11 April 2024 . 1 . National Library of Australia.