Community

Track Worker, Analomink, PA (Detail). Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 7469 C3411

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.

Baggageman

Brakeman

Lever. Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 1586

Conductor

Boston & Main Hat Badge. Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 5153

Engineer

Fireman

Firebox engineer. Steamtown USA photograph

Flagman

Mining

Pullman Porter

Stationmaster

Switchman

Track Work

Track work crew. Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 4733

Union

Agreement Between The Delaware and Hudson Railroad Corporation and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes.  Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 571

Individuals and People