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On Nov. 26, former Short Line Superintendents Association president and American Short Line Railroad Association board member James Wilbur Betz died following a bout with cancer, according to American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's bi-weekly newsletter. He was 80.

In 1942, Betz began his railroading career with the Erie Railroad Co. as a locomotive fireman. After serving the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, he was named assistant director superintendent of the renamed Erie Lackawanna Railway Co., and later served as division superintendent

In 1964, Betz joined the Chicago Short Line Railway Co. as superintendent of operations and maintenance. He was named the short line's president in 1970.

In 1973, Betz joined the S.C. Public Railway Commission, where he helped plan and build the East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad. In 1988, he retired as the commission's executive director.

Betz is survived by his wife, three children and eight grandchildren.