Trains.com

railroad work clothes

6981 views
35 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 10 posts
railroad work clothes
Posted by billiebuffalo on Monday, November 23, 2015 8:46 AM

I am a retired "hogger" and i have a question for the people working in this industry.When i was working i always liked to wear a unlined long jean jacket with a hooded zipper up sheatshirt underneath.Many places in the Minneapolis St Paul area sold OshKosh,Lee,Big Mac,Key and some others but now i cannot find any of these jackets anywhere expect for buying a used from e-bay for $200.I was wondering if anyone knows where these may be available. 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, November 23, 2015 9:31 AM

I picked one up this past summer made by Liberty overalls.  Got it on-line, but don't recall the source.  Search on-line for "shop coats."

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Iowa
  • 3,293 posts
Posted by Semper Vaporo on Monday, November 23, 2015 9:49 AM

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,550 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Monday, November 23, 2015 9:57 AM

Doesn't Carhartt make that kind of thing?

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, November 23, 2015 10:39 AM

Semper Vaporo
Is this like what you want?

That's the one I got...  (No product endorsement given or implied...)

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 10 posts
Posted by billiebuffalo on Monday, November 23, 2015 3:59 PM

shop coats did it,when i was working you didnt want to show up for work without"union made" labels on your clothing.tings mus be a changin!

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,513 posts
Posted by zugmann on Monday, November 23, 2015 4:06 PM

billiebuffalo

tings mus be a changin!

 

Mainly the loss of the garmet industry in this country.

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, November 23, 2015 4:52 PM

zugmann
 
billiebuffalo

tings mus be a changin!

 

 

 

Mainly the loss of the garmet industry in this country.

 

  We may have hit the point where the internet generation doesn't even know there was  a garment industry in this country.

     My feet are the same shapes as Donald Duck's feet, therefore finding shoes that fit are hard to find.  I always buy  the same brand and style of shoes because I found something that works.  They truly look like Charlie Brown's shoes.  Recently, my local, way-over-priced retail sporting goods store has decided to only stock up to size 8 in my style of men's shoes.  So off I go to the internet.

      On Amazon's website they have my shoes.  In the description, it lists the shoes as being "Made in the USA or imported".  That narrows it down.  They also have my shoes available in shiitake color.  I think I'll stick with brown- Charlie Brown brown.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • From: Flint or Grand Rapids, Mi or Elkhart, It Depends on the day
  • 573 posts
Posted by BOB WITHORN on Monday, November 23, 2015 5:12 PM
Murphy, Try Wolverine World Wide, (the Hush Puppy guys). They do a lot of Extra Wides for those of us with pontoons for feet.
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Monday, November 23, 2015 6:22 PM

Murphy, surely you are not the only one in town with feet that big? Or is the shoe purveyor afraid of Big Feet?Smile

Johnny

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Louisiana
  • 2,288 posts
Posted by Paul of Covington on Monday, November 23, 2015 9:32 PM

   Murphy and the rest of us duck-footed people:  Have you checked JCPenney on-line?   I've been able to find shoes for my wide feet there.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 3,590 posts
Posted by csmith9474 on Monday, November 23, 2015 9:33 PM
Whatever good stuff e-COMS has to offer, Carhartt, Duluth Trading, or anything else that can cut out that cold Rawlins winter.
Smitty
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 3:52 PM

I'm looking for striped bib lederhosen for work.

 

Randy

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 4:32 PM

Randy Stahl

I'm looking for striped bib lederhosen for work.

 

Randy

 

  There are probably some online stores that specialize in that type of apparel, but I'd guess those sites aren't geared toward business pursuits. Mischief

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,567 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 4:35 PM

Paul of Covington

   Murphy and the rest of us duck-footed people:  Have you checked JCPenney on-line?   I've been able to find shoes for my wide feet there.

 

  I'm a fussy shoe shopper, because I have fat, whimpy feet.  I want to put the shoes on and walk around the store a couple of times.  The sporting goods store was the only place I've found in town that had something that works.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,319 posts
Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 8:10 PM

Nordstrom's Rack has been my haven of things that end in at least two or more 'E's

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 9:04 PM

Randy Stahl
I'm looking for striped bib lederhosen for work.

I think I'd pay to see that....    Devil

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Northern Florida
  • 1,429 posts
Posted by SALfan on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 10:18 PM

I have ginormous feet, too.  Wissota Trader, the company from which I bought shoes for years, has gone out of business.  An outfit called B. A. Mason appears to carry similar shoes, but I've never tried them.  If you try Mason please let me know how it goes.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,513 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 4:08 PM

tree68

 

 
Randy Stahl
I'm looking for striped bib lederhosen for work.

 

I think I'd pay to see that....    Devil

 

I think I'd pay not to see it.

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,319 posts
Posted by rdamon on Thursday, November 26, 2015 10:18 AM

I guess what they say is true ...

"The wider a man's foot, the more he likes trains"

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Thursday, November 26, 2015 1:25 PM

rdamon

I guess what they say is true ...

"The wider a man's foot, the more he likes trains"

 

That's what they say, huh....?

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

Lab
  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 65 posts
Posted by Lab on Friday, November 27, 2015 4:14 PM

Back to the original question. A Google search for striped bib overalls shows lots of them.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,513 posts
Posted by zugmann on Friday, November 27, 2015 4:24 PM

Lab

Back to the original question. A Google search for striped bib overalls shows lots of them.

 

Original question was about a chore coat.

 

My favorite pair of bibs were Wall's (still have a pair that I got about 8 years ago).  Also have a pair of Dickies which are decent.  You can get Liberty brand at Tractor Supply, but they run small. 

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Friday, November 27, 2015 7:10 PM

I think Dickies are what I had one pair of when I  was in grammar school--they were solid blue. The only person I remember wearing striped blue overalls was my best friend's father--he farmed and painted houses. Most of the overalls I saw men wearing were solid blue--that is what at least one merchant in town sold, and I may have sold some when I was working for him.

Johnny

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 10 posts
Posted by billiebuffalo on Friday, November 27, 2015 7:57 PM

Its the little missing things that make me unhappy,top pockets if there are two do not have covers or snaps to close them.What good are they with no buttons  to keep closed so your stuff stays put,no pencil pockect built into one of the top pockets,also i am finding the one large inside pocket has been dropped and the length has been cut two inches from the 1970 standard issue.How do you work with snow blowing up your backside and melting and your smokes fall out into the snow for lack of buttons.I am slightly surprised the fly hasn't been eliminated.I know the equipment is better,the track better,but what do you wear to work, shorts, sandals and a tank top.Just whining a bit about tradition being lost. Tell me it aint so,i need some good news.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,513 posts
Posted by zugmann on Saturday, November 28, 2015 3:55 PM

billiebuffalo
I know the equipment is better,the track better,but what do you wear to work, shorts, sandals and a tank top.Just whining a bit about tradition being lost. Tell me it aint so,i need some good news.

 I've been wearing bibs.  I like wearing them when on the ground.  Although most people wear jeans, there's still a couple here keeping the bib tradition alive. 

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,826 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, November 28, 2015 5:11 PM

I still wear bibs.  Key since my local clothing store (we're still lucky to have one) could no longer get Oshkosh overalls.  Quite a few still wear bibs, but mostly the older guys.  I have seen a few of the younger ones wearing them, too.

I also wear, during the cooler parts of the year, a Carhartt denim coat.  It still has buttons on the two upper pockets and an inside pocket on both sides.  It's a bit shorter than the chore/shop coats I've seen on line, but it suits my needs.

Jeff

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: WSOR Northern Div.
  • 1,559 posts
Posted by WSOR 3801 on Sunday, November 29, 2015 5:31 PM

I wear bibs at work.  Work'n'Sport brand, from Farm and Fleet.  I have tried Key, but the front pockets are too small.  I'm planning to head to a Duluth Trader store one of these days to see how their bibs fit me.  

I've been on the railroad over 11 years.  Am I still one of the young guys?

Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,513 posts
Posted by zugmann on Sunday, November 29, 2015 6:31 PM

WSOR 3801
I've been on the railroad over 11 years. Am I still one of the young guys?

Depends who you are working with.

With that in mind, I'm lokoing at the Walls website.  Seems they only sell bibs with Liberty and Big Smith brand names.  My favorite ones are a pair of Walls that carry the Walls label.  I have a pair of Liberty ones, but they are cut a little tight for their advertised size and I'm not too crazy about them as a whole.  Anyone try the Big Smith brand?

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 416 posts
Posted by DSO17 on Sunday, November 29, 2015 6:55 PM

I have been using Roundhouse Brand bib overalls for a couple years and am very satisfied with them. The only thing I do is to cut off the hammer loop to keep from getting caught up on anything. They are Made in the USA and can be ordered online. Just do a Google search for "roundhouse overall"

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy