N&W in 1903 -- Old Brakeman

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OLD BRAKEMAN TALKS OF RAILROAD LIFE
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Wrecks, Hoboes, Low Bridges and Ice Covered Cars the Bugaboo
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Life is Fascinating and When Once Started Few Quit
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    "Yes, it's hazardous work," said an old brakeman to a Telegraph reporter.  "However, by continual practice the sense of danger gradually wears off and the railroad man daily performs feats that would amaze a novice at the trade.  There are a great many things that the railroad man has to contend with, not the least of which are wrecks, hoboes, low bridges and riding on box cars in snowy weather.  There are hundreds of cases daily where death is escaped by railroad employees by a very narrow margin, but continual contact with danger makes it a matter of secondary consideration, and a man is satisfied if he gets all his work done well without a call down from  the "old man."  Of course there are many cases of maimed hands and ex-railroaders hopping around with only one leg, but on a great many roads things are fixed so if he can not go on with his regular work, another place is given him that he can make a living.  Thus for instance there are many watchmen and tank men who possess only one leg or one arm.
    "It is a saying among old railroaders that a trainman on a freighter is never seen with gray hair.  There is a great fascination in the life, and it has its advantages as well as its disadvantages.
    "A railroad man is always in rugged health from being out of doors all the time, but even this out of door life has its dark side, for a fellow is compelled to be out in all kinds of weather.  He has to run along the tops of the cars and lock the brakes in the pouring down rain and in winter weather when the tops of the cars are coated with ice with as much ease as in the pleasant summer days.  The money in not so much the great inducement, but when a man once starts the life something seems to hold him to it."

Bluefield Daily Telegraph
May 26, 1903

Gordon Hamilton
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