Subdivisions, Divisions, etc.. - Trains Magazine

MC you are just too young. In the 1940's (before my tenure) the Santa Fe had FOUR of what they called GRAND DIVISIONS;

The Eastern Lines, Gulf Lines, Western Lines and Coast Lines. Each Grand Division had a General Manager and was staffed with AGM's, Chief Engineers, Signal Engineers, Communication Engineers and Mechanical Supt. The GD's supervised Divisions all of which had staffs reporting to these supervisors.

And of course the Grand Divisions all reported to the SYSTEM OFFICE in Chicago where the VP's, Chief Engineer System, etc, had jurisdiction over their lower ranks.

Eastern Lines Divisions were; Chicago Terminal, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas City Terminal, Eastern, Southern Kansas, Oklahoma and Middle.

Gulf Lines Divisions were; Northern, Southern and Gulf.

Western Lines Divisions were; Western, Arkansas River, Colorado, New Mexico, Rio Grande, Panhandle, Plains & Slaton.

Coast Lines Divisions were; Albuquerque, Arizona, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Terminal, Valley and San Francisco Terminal.

All of these eminated from even more predecessors and consolidation gradually eliminated elements from each level until the merger which resulted in BNSF who now has their own designations.