Railroad Occupations
Standard listings, according to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, for railroad occupations include: Clerk, Switchman, Section Hand, Auditor, Architect, Superintendent, Inspector, Police Officer, Foreman, Machinist, Plumber, Purchasing Agent, Accountant, Barge Captain, Maintainer, Crossing Watchman, Mail Clerk, Train Director, Electrician, President, Coal Dock Operator, Supervisor of Material, Customer Service Manager, Boilermaker, Yardmaster, Hostler, Brakeman, Union Official, Rules Examiner, Dining Car Waiters, Cook, Steward, Roundhouse Mechanic, Wreckmaster, Watchman, Power Director, Baggage Agent, Oiler, Blacksmith, Carpenter, Data Processing Clerk, Car Cleaner, Timekeeper, Lineman, Ash Cleaner, Laborer, Air Brake Inspector, Mechanical Engineer, Trainman.
Though early African Americans railroad workers traditionally built tracks and worked as waiters, cooks, and porters, in the past 25 years some advanced to the position of engineer. Before World War 1, approximately one third of firemen and brakemen in the south were Black though some of these were still classified as 'porters.” Frequently any African American that worked on the train or in the station was categorized as a porter though technically porters were on the payroll of the Pullman Company and others paid by the individual (i.e IC) railroad, thus porters were not generally found in Fulton.
The numbers did however stay high after World War 1, in spite of difficulties with increasing mechanization/automation and integration into and being accepted by the unions (prior to the unionization of Black Porters and Waiters by the landmark legislation of the Phillip Randolph Labor Movement.)
Though early African Americans railroad workers traditionally built tracks and worked as waiters, cooks, and porters, in the past 25 years some advanced to the position of engineer. Before World War 1, approximately one third of firemen and brakemen in the south were Black though some of these were still classified as 'porters.” Frequently any African American that worked on the train or in the station was categorized as a porter though technically porters were on the payroll of the Pullman Company and others paid by the individual (i.e IC) railroad, thus porters were not generally found in Fulton.
The numbers did however stay high after World War 1, in spite of difficulties with increasing mechanization/automation and integration into and being accepted by the unions (prior to the unionization of Black Porters and Waiters by the landmark legislation of the Phillip Randolph Labor Movement.)
THE LOVELY SANDWICH CART LADIES
Here are some of the lovely ladies who served such trains as the City of New Orleans and the City of Miami from the Sandwiches and Coffee Wagon when the train stopped at the Fulton Station.
Morning, evening and late at night.
Submitted by Mrs. Dorothy Jackson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. AK (Mary) Hardiman
Left to Right: 1. Troy Churchwell. , 2. Ms Opal Weatherspoon, 3. Ms Ollie May Kennedy, 4. Ms. Lela May Hillard Drew*, 5. Mgr. Ms. Lowe, 6. Ms Mary L (Rose) Hardiman*, 7. Ms Alice Dunn, 8. Ms Hazel Cole, 9. Ms Annie Mae Rogers*
On Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 10:15 PM, Janice Hall wrote:
Linda,
The lone gentleman pictured among the "Sandwich Ladies" looks like Mr. Troy Churchwell. I believe he was a cook with ICRR. I remember him always wearing the top hat, black and white checkered pants and the white coat. We were neighbors on McFall Street. He and Babe often had the same runs. He has a daughter in Louisville, Ky (Shirley) and one in Mumford, TN (Auxvasse). I will call them to see what information they can share with me. He and His wife were friends with your parents, I am sure. My mother's sister whose father was Dick Jones is still living. He retired from the RR yards. I will gather info from her too. I am thinking of so many people whose names I had forgotten. I guess , out of sight, out of mind is sometimes true.
Note: Initially the ladies were employed by the Illinois Central Railroad, however, the service was later moved to an independent contractor
Linda,
The lone gentleman pictured among the "Sandwich Ladies" looks like Mr. Troy Churchwell. I believe he was a cook with ICRR. I remember him always wearing the top hat, black and white checkered pants and the white coat. We were neighbors on McFall Street. He and Babe often had the same runs. He has a daughter in Louisville, Ky (Shirley) and one in Mumford, TN (Auxvasse). I will call them to see what information they can share with me. He and His wife were friends with your parents, I am sure. My mother's sister whose father was Dick Jones is still living. He retired from the RR yards. I will gather info from her too. I am thinking of so many people whose names I had forgotten. I guess , out of sight, out of mind is sometimes true.
Note: Initially the ladies were employed by the Illinois Central Railroad, however, the service was later moved to an independent contractor
_____________________________________________________________________
Dining car Waiter and Commissary Worker Mr. and Mrs. AK Hardiman at 1950s Dining Car Waiters’ Cabaret in Chicago, top,
Dining Car Cook and Commissary worker Mr. and Mrs. Alfonzo Drew, celebrating a life long marriage anniversary, lower
Dining car Waiter and Commissary Worker Mr. and Mrs. AK Hardiman at 1950s Dining Car Waiters’ Cabaret in Chicago, top,
Dining Car Cook and Commissary worker Mr. and Mrs. Alfonzo Drew, celebrating a life long marriage anniversary, lower
THE SANDWICH CAR LADIES
The Sandwich Cart Ladies worked for the railroad at the height of its success during the 1940-50s. They were Commissary workers that one interviewee, a daughter, reminiscently refers to as the Sandwich Cart Ladies. With limited work for African American women in Fulton, these jobs were coveted. Initially the ladies were employed by the Illinois Central Railroad, however, the service was later moved to an independent contractor. With more than 30 passenger trains a day the staff was very large and the women would meet each train – morning, noon and late into the night with delicious warm welcoming services of sandwiches, fried chicken hot steaming coffee and ice-cold milk. While some of the ladies boarded the train to serve seated passengers, others stayed on the station platform to serve passengers that needed to “stretch their legs,” directly from the cart. In usually a short while, the train would pull |
out again and the passengers would leave with full stomachs and a cheerful and pretty memory of Fulton.
Stories of our African Americans Workers of the Fulton Kentucky Station often include mention of sandwich cart ladies married to railroad passenger service men, which seems normal considering the ICRR tradition of hiring relatives; so of course many wives would be told about job opening by their husbands and vice versa. But for those of us prone to visions of the railroads indomitable romantic reputation, one can hardly help but envision cold winter days, with dashing young suave railroad waiters, cooks and porters, passing through and lingering longingly over a steaming hot cup of ‘joe’ at a cart filled with pretty sandwich cart ladies……ahhhh with such a setting, how could romance and marriages not bloom! |
Additional Railroad Occupation Descriptions
Brakeman, Switchman, Hostler, Shunter, Switch-engine Engineer
These people were all involved in switching cars! Brakemen road the car and activated brakes, switchmen switched cars and hooked them together mostly in the yard, hostlers switched cars but only in the yard, and also moved engines from the yard to the roadhouse, shunters assembled trains and moved railroad cars around, with a small locomotive, switch-engine engineers brought cars onto the tracks for the engineers to pick up. Yardworkers perform a variety of activities such as coupling railcars and operating railroad track switches in railroad yard to facilitate the movement of rail cars within the yard.
Commissary Agents
Oversees and coordinates receiving, storing, preparing, assembling, and loading supplies aboard the train, such as linens, glasses, emergency kits, and beverages for railroad commissary: Reads shipping documents and inspects storage areas to determine space available for storage. Plans commissary supply schedule according to number and type of trains scheduled for departure. Directs workers as to amount and type of supplies to be assembled and loaded on each train. Conducts inventories to determine supply requirements and orders replacements from main warehouse. Compiles receipt and disbursement data and computes balance. Contacts food service, supply vendors, and other train stations to coordinate equipment and supply balance. Trains new workers.
Conductor
The Conductor is the railway employee charged with the management of a freight, passenger, or various other types of train, and is also the direct supervisor of the train's "Train Crew" (brakeman, flagman, ticket collector, assistant conductor, on board service personnel). All train crew members on board the train work under his or her direction. The Conductor and Engineer, who is in charge of the locomotive(s) and any additional members of the "Engine Crew" (fireman, pilot engineer) share responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the train and for the proper application of the railways' rules and procedures. On some railroads, Conductors are required to progress to the position of Engineer as part of union contractual agreements.
Dining Car Cook /Chef
Prepares, seasons, and cooks food in railroad dining car, following recipes for preplanned menus: Broils steaks, chops, fish, and poultry. Toasts bread and prepares waffles and pancakes, using prepared mixes. Mixes ingredients for cooked and uncooked desserts, for example pudding, custard, gelatin, and fruit desserts. Washes, peels, cuts, seeds, and cooks vegetables. May also inventory supplies of food and prepare requisitions. May also carve meats. May also supervise other kitchen workers. May also be designated according to specialties prepared as Cook. When preparing and serving food to passengers in Pullman Lounge (combination sleeping and dining car) may also be designated Pullman Attendant.
Dining Car Steward
Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in preparing, cooking, and serving food to passengers on railroad dining car: Requisitions food supplies necessary to fill menu and prepares requisitions for linen, crockery, and silverware from commissary. Examines supplies for quality and completeness of orders. Supervises workers engaged in storing food in car. Receives bills and money from waiter and makes change. Maintains record of all cash received during each day. Informs cook and railroad of approximate number of persons expected to board train. Assigns work stations to waiters. May also coordinate sale and serving of beverages in lounge car and be designated Steward.
Dining Car Waiter
Serves passengers in railroad dining car: Presents menu to patrons, makes suggestions, and answers questions regarding food and service. Takes order from patron and presents it to cook. Serves food to passenger. Computes cost of meal. Accepts money from patron and returns change. Removes dishes
from table and carries them to kitchen. Places clean linen, silverware, and glassware on table according to rules of etiquette. Washes glassware and silverware. May also prepare salads, appetizers, and cold dishes. May also receive linen supplies. May also prepare and serve mixed drinks. May also be designated according to specialty as Bar Attendant.
Engineer
The engineer is the person in charge of and responsible for the locomotive(s). He or she is also in charge of the mechanical operation of the train, the speed of the train and all train handling. The engineer shares with the conductor/guard, who is in charge of the train, responsibility for the safe operation of the train and application of the rules and procedures of the railway company
Roundhouse Machinist, Mechanics, Electrician
Tests electrical equipment on cars. (A more modern job, one available today!)
Section Gang, Laborer
The section gang crew replaced rotten parts in the section of track they were responsible for. They also road about their section of the track in a 'hand car' to inspect for bad areas.
Station Agent
The ticket agent sold tickets; the station master was in charge of the station--and might also, in a small town, sell tickets! Baggage Handler Handled baggage. This position existed at large stations only.
Railway Express Workers
Railway Express provides transportation throughout the United States and in foreign lands. Its agent’s handle packages, boxes, crates, cases, bags, cans, cages, cartons and other containers, and in specially built or equipped cars. Its services include the transportation of wild animals for zoos and circuses; birds, dogs, cats and other family pets; race horses; fish; plants and flowers; bananas; motion picture films; hats; gowns; precious stones; jewelry; musical instruments; furniture; clothing, shoes and an endless variety of other articles, large and small, perishable and non-perishable; fragile and unbreakable; animate and inanimate. While not actually an employee of the railroad per se, they were employed by the "Railway Express Agency," which was a private concern, and usually had an office in the depot. Their job was to ship packages, much like United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express (Fed Ex) does today. Through the years here in Fulton, the agent was generally on the payroll of the IC Railroad.
These people were all involved in switching cars! Brakemen road the car and activated brakes, switchmen switched cars and hooked them together mostly in the yard, hostlers switched cars but only in the yard, and also moved engines from the yard to the roadhouse, shunters assembled trains and moved railroad cars around, with a small locomotive, switch-engine engineers brought cars onto the tracks for the engineers to pick up. Yardworkers perform a variety of activities such as coupling railcars and operating railroad track switches in railroad yard to facilitate the movement of rail cars within the yard.
Commissary Agents
Oversees and coordinates receiving, storing, preparing, assembling, and loading supplies aboard the train, such as linens, glasses, emergency kits, and beverages for railroad commissary: Reads shipping documents and inspects storage areas to determine space available for storage. Plans commissary supply schedule according to number and type of trains scheduled for departure. Directs workers as to amount and type of supplies to be assembled and loaded on each train. Conducts inventories to determine supply requirements and orders replacements from main warehouse. Compiles receipt and disbursement data and computes balance. Contacts food service, supply vendors, and other train stations to coordinate equipment and supply balance. Trains new workers.
Conductor
The Conductor is the railway employee charged with the management of a freight, passenger, or various other types of train, and is also the direct supervisor of the train's "Train Crew" (brakeman, flagman, ticket collector, assistant conductor, on board service personnel). All train crew members on board the train work under his or her direction. The Conductor and Engineer, who is in charge of the locomotive(s) and any additional members of the "Engine Crew" (fireman, pilot engineer) share responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the train and for the proper application of the railways' rules and procedures. On some railroads, Conductors are required to progress to the position of Engineer as part of union contractual agreements.
Dining Car Cook /Chef
Prepares, seasons, and cooks food in railroad dining car, following recipes for preplanned menus: Broils steaks, chops, fish, and poultry. Toasts bread and prepares waffles and pancakes, using prepared mixes. Mixes ingredients for cooked and uncooked desserts, for example pudding, custard, gelatin, and fruit desserts. Washes, peels, cuts, seeds, and cooks vegetables. May also inventory supplies of food and prepare requisitions. May also carve meats. May also supervise other kitchen workers. May also be designated according to specialties prepared as Cook. When preparing and serving food to passengers in Pullman Lounge (combination sleeping and dining car) may also be designated Pullman Attendant.
Dining Car Steward
Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in preparing, cooking, and serving food to passengers on railroad dining car: Requisitions food supplies necessary to fill menu and prepares requisitions for linen, crockery, and silverware from commissary. Examines supplies for quality and completeness of orders. Supervises workers engaged in storing food in car. Receives bills and money from waiter and makes change. Maintains record of all cash received during each day. Informs cook and railroad of approximate number of persons expected to board train. Assigns work stations to waiters. May also coordinate sale and serving of beverages in lounge car and be designated Steward.
Dining Car Waiter
Serves passengers in railroad dining car: Presents menu to patrons, makes suggestions, and answers questions regarding food and service. Takes order from patron and presents it to cook. Serves food to passenger. Computes cost of meal. Accepts money from patron and returns change. Removes dishes
from table and carries them to kitchen. Places clean linen, silverware, and glassware on table according to rules of etiquette. Washes glassware and silverware. May also prepare salads, appetizers, and cold dishes. May also receive linen supplies. May also prepare and serve mixed drinks. May also be designated according to specialty as Bar Attendant.
Engineer
The engineer is the person in charge of and responsible for the locomotive(s). He or she is also in charge of the mechanical operation of the train, the speed of the train and all train handling. The engineer shares with the conductor/guard, who is in charge of the train, responsibility for the safe operation of the train and application of the rules and procedures of the railway company
Roundhouse Machinist, Mechanics, Electrician
Tests electrical equipment on cars. (A more modern job, one available today!)
Section Gang, Laborer
The section gang crew replaced rotten parts in the section of track they were responsible for. They also road about their section of the track in a 'hand car' to inspect for bad areas.
Station Agent
The ticket agent sold tickets; the station master was in charge of the station--and might also, in a small town, sell tickets! Baggage Handler Handled baggage. This position existed at large stations only.
Railway Express Workers
Railway Express provides transportation throughout the United States and in foreign lands. Its agent’s handle packages, boxes, crates, cases, bags, cans, cages, cartons and other containers, and in specially built or equipped cars. Its services include the transportation of wild animals for zoos and circuses; birds, dogs, cats and other family pets; race horses; fish; plants and flowers; bananas; motion picture films; hats; gowns; precious stones; jewelry; musical instruments; furniture; clothing, shoes and an endless variety of other articles, large and small, perishable and non-perishable; fragile and unbreakable; animate and inanimate. While not actually an employee of the railroad per se, they were employed by the "Railway Express Agency," which was a private concern, and usually had an office in the depot. Their job was to ship packages, much like United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express (Fed Ex) does today. Through the years here in Fulton, the agent was generally on the payroll of the IC Railroad.
1.Leighman Ware, 2.Wardell (Sonny Boy) Maddox, 3. C.R Copeland (ICRR Union Steward), 4. James Ware, 5. Zeb Morris.
|
Noted on facebook as Mr.Russell Patton And Mr S T .Morris
Gentleman in the middle looks like A.B. "Happy" Chandler |