Short answer is yes, a 5 man crew was standard and having a head end brakeman was standard.
Somebody has to line the switch if you want to head into a siding.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Would such trains always have a five man crew of conductor, engineer, fireman, front brakeman and rear brakeman. What got me thinking about this is the movie Emperor of the North. I don't recall there being a front brakeman on that train and I wondered if that was accurate or not.