Neal McCusker CBE (20 October 1907 – 27 July 1987),[1] often misspelled "Neil", was Commissioner of Railways in New South Wales 1956–1972.
[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 New South Wales Government 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.
[10][11] In 1954, while Winsor was taking three months' sick leave, State Cabinet appointed McCusker to act in his place as commissioner of the Department of Railways New South Wales, over two more senior officers: William Arthur Anderson (Secretary for Railways) and Allan James McAndrew (Assistant Secretary).
[12] The decision to switch from steam to diesel locomotives was made in 1956 and entirely implemented during McCusker's reign as Commissioner.