whether for practicality, specific employer/ roadname rules of conduct, or even when perhaps informally denoting 'pecking order', i'm looking for a publication/ article(s) which cover railroad worker fashion through the decades (turn of the century through the 1940's will do).
thanks...gary
The inside covers of Gilbert American Flyer Catalogs of 1939 on to 1948 had photos of engineers in their working clothes. Here is a link for RFG
http://www.rfgco.com/americanflyertrainscatalogs/index.html
One of the iconic pieces of railroad fashion is of course the Stormy Kromer.
I found these images on Google
http://designbyamerica.com/story/the-stormy-kromer-story
Here is a link to a brief article in Wikipiedia. It isn't much but it is a start. I own two of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormy_Kromer_cap
This sounds like an interesting research project, please keep us posted.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Gary,
take a look at these video's.
http://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders
They'll give you a good look at Railroaders...
Check out their other videos too.
(you'll have to type in the link to get to the video's)
Railroad Crossings: Thinning the gene pool daily!
I have "The Long Island Railroad Company BOOK OF RULES"
inside it says effective 2:40 A.M. JULY 1st 1926
page 161
706. Uniforms - Designated uniformed employees will change to summer uniform May 15th
Standard mohair coats may be worn b y designated employes may 15th to October 14th both inclusive.
Coats must be buttoned except when trainmen are actually engaged in lifting transportation
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Green Streak RR Gary, take a look at these video's. http://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders They'll give you a good look at Railroaders... Check out their other videos too. (you'll have to type in the link to get to the video's)
Wow what a great insight into Railroading in the 50's Heck just the 50's in general! I especially got a kick the trainman wiping down the handrails before the passengers disembarked. Who would think of doing that these days?..
Gary, can we assume you are planning on getting in period appropriate "gear" for the debut of your live steam engine? If so, pictures! please..
Pat
Lover of all things Gilbert, truly a man ahead of his time.
Gray Cat Gary, can we assume you are planning on getting in period appropriate "gear" for the debut of your live steam engine? If so, pictures! please.. Pat
I'll second that motion! Actually, what you are wearing only matters at the start of the day... by the end of the day you will be entirely covered w/ grime - except for the whites of your wide open eyes and a huge smile that won't go away...
- James
Not a book, but shorpy.com has a ton of old, hi-res images of life in the past, and railroads are a significant factor in their free archive. Just search "railroads" and many of the images show railroad employees.
Bob Keller
Gray Cat Green Streak RR Gary, take a look at these videos. http://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders ... Wow what a great insight into Railroading in the 50's Heck just the 50's in general! I especially got a kick the trainman wiping down the handrails before the passengers disembarked. Who would think of doing that these days?.. Gary, can we assume you are planning on getting in period appropriate "gear" for the debut of your live steam engine? If so, pictures! please.. Pat
Green Streak RR Gary, take a look at these videos. http://www.nfb.ca/film/railroaders ...
...
that was a great mini-doc film. funny that i picked up on the same scene seeing the porters in action. nice to see a time when people actually seemed to care about their jobs.
also read up on the Stormy Kormer legend. interesting that the cap design was a modified ball cap that would stay put in windy conditions and also that the material itself (starched pillow ticking) was chosen out of availability and durability. since he was born in the 1870's i'd guess the basic Stormy cap would be correct for any 20th century outfit.
James and Pat, can't say i haven't been thinking about some sort of signature garb. doing a quick survey recently, the basic engineer's cap is a popular choice. of course at 1/8th scale speed tradition vs practicality is the most likely factor with those. in the southwest, sun protection seems to come into play more often, so for now i might just see how the Tilley (shown in my Avatar) holds up after catching a few cinders. i'll have to check the warranty.
That was a great piece of Canadian railroad history. Thanks so much for posting!
Jay in Ottawa
When we run the Baltimore, Ohio and Wabash Railroad we wear:
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
I'm glad my railroading days were in the South- blue jeans and golf shirts in warm weather; blue jeans and golf shirts in the "cool" months with a light jacket in case you have to ride a long shove. On rare occasions I wore coveralls .No fancy shmancy uniforms for a freight only operation. One of my kids gave me a pair of bib overalls that I wore about once, I think- not my style- gotta have that golf shirt.
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