The creation and maintenance of railroad infrastructure, including mining and transporting coal, required a large labor pool. Different communities worked on the railroad over time. During the mid- to late 1800s, Irish immigrants on the East Coast and Chinese immigrants on the West Coast provided much-needed manpower, with Eastern Europeans filling this role by the turn of the century. After the First World War, African Americans coming from the South as part of the Great Migration filled the labor need. By the Second World War, much of this work was provided by Mexican guestworkers, or braceros.
Many specialized positions were needed. Conductors oversaw train operations, while engineers and firemen kept locomotives functioning. Towermen and crossing guards diligently kept trains safe on their trek. Clerks at all levels managed the flow of goods and people, and trains were constantly being serviced in shops. African American Pullman Porters worked on many sleeping and dining cars. Young Black men worked at railroad stations as shoe-shine boys or “boot blacks.” Telephone operators were predominantly women.
Many specialized positions were needed. Conductors oversaw train operations, while engineers and firemen kept locomotives functioning. Towermen and crossing guards diligently kept trains safe on their trek. Clerks at all levels managed the flow of goods and people, and trains were constantly being serviced in shops. African American Pullman Porters worked on many sleeping and dining cars. Young Black men worked at railroad stations as shoe-shine boys or “boot blacks.” Telephone operators were predominantly women.
Railyard engineer next to locomotive
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. B1541
Paper shredder
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. C0507
Milk platform and manned crossing
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. C3855
Railroad Police Sergeant Badge
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2569
Railroad Police Badge
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4754
Office Worker Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Telegraph Operator Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Baggageman
Baggageman Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Trunk
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2914
Luggage Tag
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2623
Uniform Hat with Badge
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1301
Luggage Tag
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2623
Brakeman
Brakeman Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Switch Key
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3135
Railroad Lantern
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5143
Conductor
Conductor Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Forming Swage (Die) Set
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1332
Trainman Uniform Coat
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3260
Paper Punch
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3269
Ticket
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3805
Transportation Ticket
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2536
Engineer
Engineer Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Oil Can
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1008
Dinner Pail
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3307
Locomotive Engineer's Cap
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6315
Steamtown USA Engineer
Steamtown USA photograph
Locomotive number 96
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469. C4334
Fireman
Fireman Mannequin
National Park Service image
Economical Firing pamphlet
Steamtown NHS STEA 282
Levelometer
Steamtown NHS, STEA 996
Clinker Rake
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2217
Coal Shovel
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6079
Steamtown USA fireman
Steamtown USA photograph
Flagman
Flagman's Hat
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7195
Flagman's Case
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1434
Signal Flag
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1388
Mining
Pick
Steamtown NHS, STEA 3815
Miner's Breast Drill Chest Piece
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4667
Miners receiving safety lamps
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. C0661
Mine car in Throop, PA
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. C2443
Seven miners in underground coal shaft
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469. C2839
Pullman Porter
Pullman Porter Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Laundry Bag
Steamtown NHS, STEA 534
Instructional Sign
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1200
Porter's Berth and Compartment Key
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2171
Passenger Step Stool
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2637
Hook
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7189
Stationmaster
Stationmaster Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Order Hoop
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7197
Switchman
Switchman's Lantern
Steamtown NHS, STEA 579
Track Work
Track Worker Mannequins
National Park Service photograph
Rail
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6409
Rail Superelevation Marker
Steamtown NHS, STEA 553
Sabre Saw
Steamtown NHS, STEA 693
Drill
Steamtown NHS, STEA 950
Rail Spike Puller
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2157
Hoisting Jack
Steamtown NHS, STEA 4587
Rail
Steamtown NHS, STEA 8201
Date Nail
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6321
Union
Union Card
Steamtown NHS, STEA 257
Fraternal Ribbon
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7730
Anniversary Ball Program
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7879
Individuals and People
Quiz Jr.: Railroad Questions and Answers
Steamtown NHS, STEA 682
Casey Jones: The Brave Engineer
Steamtown NHS, STEA 1198
The Story of Phoebe Snow
Steamtown NHS, STEA 2512
Chessie
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6910
Bell
Steamtown NHS, STEA 5130
Hobo Mannequin
National Park Service photograph
Ernest R. Riker's last ride
Steamtown NHS, STEA 6239
William Truesdale at Lackawanna Ltd
Steamtown NHS, STEA 7469 B2310
F. Nelson Blount in New Hampshire
Steamtown, USA photograph
Last updated: October 28, 2022