W. Graham Claytor, Jr.

Home » Key Leaders of the Southern Railway » W. Graham Claytor, Jr.

Southern Railway’s W. Graham Claytor, Jr.

W. Graham Claytor - National Archives

Photo: National Archives

W. Graham Claytor Jr. was a distinguished American figure whose life spanned a remarkable breadth of public and private service. An accomplished attorney, a decorated naval officer during World War II, a transformative railroad executive at both Southern Railway and Amtrak, and a high-ranking government official in the Carter administration, Claytor’s career was defined by a combination of intellectual brilliance, principled leadership, and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence. A lifelong railroad enthusiast, he brought an engineer’s attention to detail to every challenge, from the battlefield to the boardroom, leaving an indelible mark on both the transportation industry and the nation.

Early life and education

William Graham Claytor Jr. was born on March 14, 1912, in Roanoke, Virginia, into a family with deep roots in the region’s history. His father, W. Graham Claytor Sr., was an executive at Appalachian Power, and his mother, Gertrude Harris Boatwright Claytor, was a well-regarded poet. After a childhood split between Virginia and Philadelphia, Claytor attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933. His academic prowess led him to Harvard Law School, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1936 and served as president of the Harvard Law Review.

Following his law studies, Claytor secured a prestigious clerkship for Judge Learned Hand of the U.S. Court of Appeals. He then served as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Louis Brandeis, an experience that immersed him in the highest levels of the American legal system. This exceptional legal training set the stage for a long and successful career practicing law with the prominent Washington, D.C., firm of Covington and Burling.

A naval hero in World War II

Claytor’s legal career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Despite his position, he answered the call to duty, joining the U.S. Navy in 1941 as an ensign. His wartime service was distinguished and showcased his leadership and decisiveness under pressure.

  • Saving the Indianapolis survivors: As commander of the destroyer escort USS Cecil J. Doyle, Claytor played a critical role in the rescue of survivors from the cruiser USS Indianapolis. In August 1945, a plane reported seeing men in the water after the Indianapolis had been sunk by a Japanese submarine. Acting without orders, and risking exposure to enemy attacks, Claytor sped his ship to the scene and used searchlights to illuminate the water, enabling the rescue of over 300 sailors who had endured days in the shark-infested waters. This courageous and principled decision is remembered as one of his defining moments, long before he became a public figure in railroading.

A transformative railroad executive

After the war, Claytor returned to his law practice, but his lifelong passion for railroads led him to join the Southern Railway in 1963 as its Vice President-Law. His career at Southern is remembered for his hands-on, operations-focused approach. In contrast to his predecessor, D. William Brosnan, who was a formidable innovator, Claytor was an “employee’s president,” known for riding the trains and talking directly with crew members to gather suggestions and improve operations.

  • President of Southern Railway: Elected president of the Southern in 1967, Claytor’s decade-long tenure was a period of continued financial strength for the railroad, even as many competitors struggled.
  • The Southern Crescent: A true railroad aficionado, Claytor was determined to maintain high-quality passenger service, a commitment reflected in the Southern’s showcase passenger train, the Southern Crescent. He initially resisted joining Amtrak in 1971, preferring to maintain the Southern’s reputation for superior service. However, financial realities eventually forced the Southern to transfer its passenger services to Amtrak in 1979.
  • A commitment to heritage: One of Claytor’s most beloved legacies at Southern was his creation of a steam locomotive excursion program. This popular initiative delighted railfans and demonstrated the company’s pride in its history while showcasing its modern operational prowess.

Service in the Carter administration

In 1977, Claytor retired from the Southern Railway to join President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

  • Secretary of the Navy: Serving as Secretary of the Navy from 1977 to 1979, Claytor made progressive policy changes for the time, allowing women to serve on some ships for the first time. He also ordered that gay service members be given honorable discharges rather than being subjected to courts-martial, a policy that he later extended service-wide as Deputy Secretary of Defense.
  • Deputy Secretary of Defense: After his time as Navy Secretary, Claytor was appointed Deputy Secretary of Defense, serving from 1979 to 1981. He also had a brief stint as Acting Secretary of Transportation.

Rescuing Amtrak from collapse

In 1982, Claytor was called out of retirement to lead Amtrak, the national passenger railroad, which was facing immense financial and political pressure from the hostile Reagan administration. Many saw the appointment as a last-ditch effort to save the beleaguered rail system.

  • A “miracle” of survival: During his 11-year tenure as president and CEO, Claytor was widely credited with saving Amtrak from elimination. He brought his operational and business acumen to bear, implementing rigorous cost-cutting measures, focusing on improved efficiency, and aggressively marketing the service.
  • Improving financial performance: Under Claytor’s leadership, Amtrak’s financial performance improved dramatically. By 1989, the company covered 72% of its operating budget through ticket revenues, up from 48% in 1981.
  • A straight-talking advocate: In defending Amtrak from political attacks, Claytor’s direct and authoritative style was highly effective. As one account notes, in congressional hearings, he would sit alone at the witness table, disarming opponents with his deep knowledge and straight-shooting answers.
  • The Claytor Concourse: In honor of his service, the passenger concourse at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station was named the “Claytor Concourse”.

Legacy and honors

W. Graham Claytor Jr. passed away on May 14, 1994, at the age of 82. His legacy is that of a multi-talented leader whose integrity and expertise left a lasting impact on several sectors. In addition to his leadership roles, he was a dedicated railroad enthusiast, a passion he shared with his brother, Robert B. Claytor, who also became a prominent railroad executive. W. Graham Claytor Jr. was named “Virginian of the Year” in 1977 and “Railroader of the Year” in 1989. His life exemplifies the power of principled leadership, combining a distinguished legal career and courageous military service with a transformative impact on the American transportation landscape.

Southern-Railroads.org Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the Southern Railway and its predecessors. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Southern-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

Contact Us

Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the Southern or Model Railroads.

Go back

Your message has been sent

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org