American Railroads in the 1940s (26 pics)
These retouched photographs were taken in America during 1940s.
It shows railway work life of both men and women.
If you know the author of these great photographs, please let us know so that we may give proper credit.
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October 27, 2016 @ 1:30 pm
How I would liked to have worked for the railroads. Even as a Pullman porter, dining car attendant or fireman. With few exceptions these were the roles that African Americans were allowed to partake, regardless of qualifications or education.
September 27, 2013 @ 11:48 pm
Beautiful photos..Bring back fond memories..My Gr.Father and dad both worked for RRs and I followed suit My dad was a (train) dispatcher for the B&O RR and I worked for the B&O RR also. Korea came along and I did my time in The USN and rtnd to the RR after my discharge. I decided to go to college which ended my RR career after 11 yrs,
but I have fond memories of those years….It was a good job for a young man fresh out of highschool—-also had a lot of potential……….
March 5, 2013 @ 9:29 am
MY FATHER WAS SUPERINTENDENT OF EQUIPMENT (ALL ROLLING STOCK) FOR THE NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD DURING WW II.] WHEN THE RAILROADS WERE A KEY TO WINNING THE WAR…he was exempt from military service and was favored with his needs so that he could function as an important executive on the nycrr
March 5, 2013 @ 9:14 am
I love train. These pictures remenberes me of lot of souvenirs. The good old time.
August 12, 2012 @ 2:11 am
Fantastic photographs! I don’t know how you got my email address but thanks a million for sharing them with me!
August 11, 2012 @ 11:14 pm
My dad, Carl Densmore hired in on the section gang (track layers) at 18 for New York Central. Later promoted to fireman (shoveling coal) on the steamers. And finally an engineer. When I was a kid he would take me occasionally and I got to ride on the engine with him. He retired from Conrail after 42 years of service at age 63. We lost hime to cancer in 1993 at age 65. These pics take me back to a special time and place.
March 24, 2012 @ 4:35 pm
i started in sept 1947 as a callboy, i was 15.went in the Navy 1950 came back 1953
March 21, 2012 @ 5:09 pm
My grandfather and father worked for Atlantic Coast Line and I hired on the ACL in 1965 so I remember a lot of this. I got to work on a steam engine that passed through Florence in 1968 it was a treat.
March 14, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
When my mother and father were growing up, there was a fascination with trains! My father’s love of trains was shared with me. Every so often he would take me to the parking lot at the railroad station just to watch the trains come and go. My first experience riding on a train with a steam engine was in 1940. It was the Erie-Lackawanna RR line that took us to Ithaca, New York after my dad’s father had passed. The coaches were the old style popular in the 1920’s and the window sills were dusted with soot. It was exciting for me as a child to experience something my dad had experienced when he was growing up.
March 14, 2012 @ 12:59 am
The first time I saw steam engines, I was two years old in Fennimore, Wisconsin in 1949. I feel so bad to have been born at the end of steam. My dad never took me to the tracks during the fiftys.
March 13, 2012 @ 8:55 pm
IN THE “OLD” DAYS, THIS WAS A THRILL TO HAVE MODERN TRAINS…
Elizabeth W.
March 13, 2012 @ 4:20 am
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photographs!
March 12, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
I really enjoyed the pictures. My son wants to be an Engineer. He looked at each picture and tried to figure out what he was looking at or which train. Since the economy is bad, we are not sure when he will get a job but this brought a huge smile to his face and he needs encouragement, so thank you.
March 12, 2012 @ 5:35 pm
In 1950/1951 I lived in Eva, Oklahoma. (Texas County) My Dad Jesse Albert Brown was a gandy (?) dancer and then a regular maintenanc on the BME Line (Beaver Ok., Mead KS., Engelwood Ok.The were responsible for 110 miles of track conditions. I saw the last steam engine run and the first Diesel engine run on that Line.
When we lived in Turpin, Okla. 1948/1950 We lived in a passenger Car that set about 20 feet from the main tracksThey had boarded up two or three windows and the left one or two open alternating the full length of the coach on both sides. We had for rooms for Mom, Dad and six children. I was thrilled to find that we had an old red caboose setting off the tracks. All the rich kids wanted to play at my house after school and we had sleep overs in the caboose up in the little room on top. What a wonderful time and memories from my child hood. I live in louisville, Ky. now and close enough to hear the train whistles every day. What a beautiful sound in the middle of the Night.
March 12, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME OUTSIDE VIEWS OF THE OLD ROUNDHOUSES WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE ENGINS. PARTICULARLY THE TURN TABLES……….THANKS
March 12, 2012 @ 2:02 pm
I must tell you how much I enjoyed these pictures. I am 80 years old and they brought back such wonderful memories. All the women working SO hard as their men were serving their country. I remember the service
men and women coming and going at the Depot in Newton, Kansas. Thank you SO much for sharing these with us.