A tribute to a family railroad legacy 

The life of Joyce Mendoza has been intricately intertwined with the railroad industry. 

For 24 years, Joyce has called South Portland, Maine, home. She lives just a mile from Rigby Yard—a vital transportation hub. This neighborhood, established in 1923, was built to accommodate railroad workers.  

John Dwight McMillen’s railroad journey 

John McMillen (Joyce’s Father) worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the Wellsville, Ohio, area during the 1940s and early 1950s. During World War II he was part of a crew that transported troops, often working long, grueling shifts with little time for rest. Joyce fondly remembers her father’s stories of his demanding work, including a harrowing experience of nearly sleepwalking off a moving train due to sheer exhaustion—a testament to the intense nature of his job. His stories also included lighter moments, such as learning to appreciate huevos rancheros and other foods that were introduced to him by railroad workers with different backgrounds. 

Joyce’s continued commitment to rail safety 

Today, Joyce champions railroad safety through her involvement with the SMART-TD railroad union in Maine/New Hampshire, focusing on safety concerns related to CSX’s proposed use of remote-control technology in Rigby Yard. 

Donation of more than an heirloom 

In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude and honor, Joyce donated her father’s railroad lantern—an artifact of his dedicated service—to our union’s collection of historical artifacts. The lantern is on display in SMART-TD’s headquarters in Independence, Ohio. This lantern symbolizes the hard work and commitment of railroad workers like John McMillen and will serve as a cherished reminder of the sacrifices and dedication of past and present railroad workers.  

We extend our sincerest thanks to Joyce Mendoza for her contribution and for her unwavering support of our union’s mission to improve the safety and well-being of our members and the communities in which we serve.