Amtrak also requires its conductors to wear hats not unlike those of the past. Amtrak conductors wear either Pershing hats or pill-box style hats. The former has a wide crown that fans at the top and a small bill in the front. The later is almost like a miniature top hat, also with a bill in the front. All hats come with badges indicating that the wearer is the conductor of the train, a tradition that has stood the test of time.
Tradition
Deconstructing the uniform of the train conductor may seem daunting and unnecessary. But if you’re serious about becoming a conductor, it’s important to understand and appreciate that which you’ll wear given the relationship between the conductor’s uniform and the role’s rich history. Appreciating the conductor’s uniform means appreciating the significant role the conductor has played in American history.
Even people who do not strive to be train conductors can appreciate the tradition. Many railroad enthusiasts collect pieces of conductor paraphernalia. They collect badges, buttons, hats, jackets, and even whole attire. Some collectors will even specialize in particular items, aiming to collect hats or buttons associated with different rail lines or different time periods. Even if collecting isn’t your thing, the very fact that some people relish these pieces of history should further drive home how historically significant something as simple as a pocket watch can be.
Chapter Nine: The Colorful Language of the Railroad
Walk into any greasy spoon in North America, and you’re likely to hear some colorful terminology. Maybe two poached eggs on toast goes by “Adam and Eve on a raft” or a cup of black coffee is named “draw one in the dark.” At such establishments, grapefruit juice goes by “battery acid,” a cracker is a “dog biscuit” and ham and eggs are dubbed “the eternal twins.” It’s hard to say where many of these colorful phrases originated, but you can still hear them in diners across America.
As it turns out “greasy spoon” belongs to another set of creative phrases, one that makes up the obscure lingo of the North American railroad. That’s right, railroad culture goes beyond the dress and drudgery. We’ve taken some time to compile some of the more common, more interesting and, in some cases, downright bizarre utterances you might here if you take a job on the tracks.
Of course, out emphasis is on the word “might.” While some of the phrases are credited as being contemporary lingo, most of them harken back to the early days of the railroad and may not be in common use.
Terms
All Black – This essentially means “all clear” and indicates that a visual inspection of a train yielded no obvious mechanical issues. The phrase “all black, well-stacked, going down the clickety-clack” means that the train passed a visual inspection while rolling slowly by the inspector (a roll-by inspection).
Armstrong – This blanket term refers to any equipment that must be operated manually. Usually such tasks require a degree of strength, hence the name. Such equipment could include hand brakes, and certain engines.
Back to the Farm – This term is used to describe any railroad worker who has been laid off, particularly due to slow business.
Bad Order – These rail cars have mechanical defects or other mechanical issues. They are barred from use.
Ball of Fire – This, put simply, is a fast run.
Beanery – This is another term for a “greasy spoon.” “Beaneries” are diners frequented by railroad workers and truckers on the road. They may also be used to refer to any cheap restaurant attended on the road. Waitresses at such establishments are sometimes called “beanery queens.”
Black diamonds – This antiquated term refers to coal, typically the coal used to power a steam engine. However, it may also have been used to refer to coal being transported by a freight train. “Black diamond” featured in numerous other railroad terms as a reference to coal. For example, train firemen, who historically were responsible for shoveling coal to keep trains running were called “diamond crackers.”
Boxcar Tourist – Historically, trains offered a popular mode of transportation for homeless drifters. The term “hobo,” although widely applied today to refer to general homeless people, was specifically used to refer to migrant workers who were often homeless. Many of these people would board empty freight boxcars on their way to find work. Railroad workers referred to these people as “boxcar tourists.”
Broncos in the Canyon – Some vehicles (like trucks) are able to travel along train tracks. These vehicles have special equipment that helps them use the rails. These vehicles are operated by train employees and are typically there to inspect the tracks ahead of a scheduled train. This is done in cases where the tracks may become suddenly unusable (from potential flash flooding, mudslides, or the like). “Broncos in the canyon” refers to the presence of these vehicles on the tracks.
Carry a White Feather – A train is “carrying a white feather” when you can see a plume of steam coming from the engine. Imagine the classic depiction of a traveling steam engine, with the smoke trailing behind the locomotive and along the length of the train.
Couldn’t Pull a Setting Hen Off Her Nest – This derogatory expression refers to old-fashioned and out of date locomotives. This phrase likely suggests that said machine is still in use though it ought not to be.
Cornfield Meet – This is a head-on collision between two trains (or near miss). The event is so called because early railroad collisions would most often occur out in the countryside (near cornfields). “Cornfield meet” may also refer to events where old locomotives were intentionally run into each other.
Curfew – A “curfew” is a scheduled time when no trains of any kind will be operating. This allows maintenance crews to work the tracks, checking wayside signals and other important features.
Dancing on the Carpet – A train worker who is called into the boss’s office for disciplinary action of some kind is said to be “dancing on the carpet,” presumably because it conjured up images of someone who is anxious and put on the spot.
Double heading – This is when one train is accompanied by two locomotives. This term only applies where each locomotive is manned by its own crew and not when one engineer runs all of the engines while sitting in the lead locomotive. Double heading is usually used with steam or diesel engines and is typically done when one locomotive is not capable of handling the train’s weight.
Drag – Also called a “drag freight,” these freight trains run slowly because they are carrying particularly heavy loads. Such trains have to be particularly cautious when running on steep hills or sharp curves as the excess weight makes for unpredictable movement.
En Routes – The term “en-route” means roughly “on the way.” In Railroad terminology, “en routes” are all trains headed to a particular yard or terminal that are in need of switching. If yard workers anticipate a heavy switching load for the day, they call this “strong en routes.”
Getting the Rocking Chair – A train worker who is “getting the rocking chair” is retiring with a pension.
Highball – This is a historic term that refers to any signal that indicates a train should run at full speed. In the past, some wayside signals were just balls hung from poles near tracks. If the ball was at the top of the pole, it was considered “high” and a train engineer knew he could continue at full speed. The term has survived to today despite the highball signal being long retired.
Hotshot – This term is still used today to refer to a train that has been given ultimate priority. Hotshot trains are rarely held up and are often given access to the main line, or track, to get to their destinations.
In the Hole – A train that is “in the hole” is essentially sidelined while another train passes. The hole refers to the side track intended for this purpose.
Meet – This is when one train passes another that is “in the hole” or siding.
On the Ground – A train is “on the ground” if it is derailed.
Piggyback – You might hear this explained as the transportation of
truck trailers on a train bed. However, more accurately, it refers to the transport of intermodal containers. These shipping containers carry goods as they move between modes of transportation (ship, truck, train).
Power – The locomotive is sometimes referred to as the “power.” Locomotives have numerous slang names, but this is one of the most common.
Shoofly – This colorful term refers to any temporary track that is used to help trains avoid obstacles. This is not the same as when a train is “in the hole” (see above) because those tracks, used by trains to allow others to pass, are not temporary. A “shoofly” may be built when a natural disaster such as flooding or a rockslide makes it impossible to use the normal track.
The Biscuits Hang High – This antiquated term suggests that there isn’t much food to go around in a particular location. The image of hanging biscuits that are just out of reach reflects this.
Undesired Emergency – Also called UDEs, an “undesired emergency” occurs when air pressure is released (or escapes) the air brakes. As a result, the emergency train brakes kick in and the train grinds to a halt. The term “undesired” likely indicates that the emergency is inadvertent or false since there is no true reason for the train to be stopping.
Zombie – Sometimes locomotive frames are reused to form new engines. When this happens, the machine is referred to as a “zombie.” The term may also be used to describe the act of reusing the locomotive frame.
Railroad-ese
The jargon, both historical and contemporary, is referred to collectively as “railroad-ese.” It’s unclear how such languages develop as a whole, although certain expressions may be explained independently. Regardless, these phrases are part of the tapestry that makes up the American railroad and all of its charm.
Chapter Ten: Conductors Around the World
In this book, we’re primarily focused on train conductors in the United States. However, if you recall from the first chapter, the railroad doesn’t begin and end in America. It has its roots in ancient Greece, and Europe has enjoyed a rich railroad tradition for just as long as we have. The role and history of the conductor is just as respected in Europe as it is in America. In fact, Wilbert Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, which in turn led to Shining Time Station, was British. From Thomas and his friends to the famous Hogwarts Express, England too has shown a history for romanticizing trains.
Trains aren’t purely a western phenomenon either. Although they may have begun in Europe, many Asian countries enjoyed rail transport as early as the mid-19th century. These days, some of those same countries have pushed the boundaries of rail transportation, surpassing their western neighbors. Although the railroad played a significant role in the history of the United States, it is far bigger than the United States alone.
Europe
Although the first locomotive was built in England in 1804, it wasn’t until the 1820’s that mechanized rail transportation truly developed, starting in England and spreading quickly to the rest of the European continent. Over time, various European countries would develop minor differences in the how their trains and crew functioned. However, the overall effect is largely the same and the tradition of the conductor celebrated throughout.
India
The first Indian railway, built in 1853 by the British East India Company, was seen as yet another example of how the British were working to colonize and control India. Therefore, it and the lines built shortly after it, were not built for the benefit of the Indian people. Rather, they were built to allow the British easier access to the country. This practice was continued by the colonial government once it was established.
Railroads in India became increasingly more exploitative as the British used them not only to spread troops around the country, but also to transport Indian goods out of India. What’s more, these privately-owned railroads saw a great deal of profit from operating in India, profit that filtered primarily back to Britain.
Despite it’s rather inauspicious start, the Indian railroad system has since flourished. It expanded greatly after India acquired its independence. Finally, the rail system could work for the Indian people and not against them. In recent years, India has shown its pride in rail network, celebrating 150 years of existence in 2003.
Indian conductors, on both passenger and freight trains, are known as guards. These guards, sometimes called mail guards on passenger trains, are responsible for the entire train, including the route, schedule, and cargo. The guard communicates with the pilot (a.k.a. engineer) using colored flags and two-way radios. Like American conductors, Indian train guards check the train for maintenance issues and sell tickets. These guards even carry around first aid kits, making them first responders in the event of an emergency.
Japan
Rail transportation in Japan is said to have begun around the end of the Edo Period. This period in Japan lasted from 1603 to 1868 and was marked by economic growth and a strict policy of isolationism. So strict was this policy, known as Sakoku, that it prevented all native peoples from leaving the country and all foreigners from entering. As you can imagine, this was not an environment conducive to accepting and adapting outside technologies. It’s important to understand how world changing the end of isolationism was for the people of Japan.
The impact of the railroad on Japan began subtly. Dutch traders, among the few who were allowed contact with the island, brought word of railroad transportation. Other visitors, including the infamous Matthew Perry who was instrumental in bringing about the end of the Edo Period, brought model trains, sparking an interest in this new development.
In 1872, the first Japanese rail line was completed, connecting Tokyo to Yokohama. Nine years later, Japan saw the foundation of its first privately owned railroad company, the Nippon Railway. Prior to this, all rail lines in Japan had been under the purview of the imperial government. In the decade that followed, several more private companies rose, developing an extensive rail network in the small country.
Around the early 20th century, many of these private lines (seventeen to be exact) were nationalized. Under the Railway Nationalization Act, the government took control of these lines. This happened again around the second World War. This time, the government forcibly took control of twenty-two additional companies in the interest of the war effort.
It is clear that just as with the United States, the railroad played a significant role in Japan’s recent history. These days, Japan is known for punctual trains with strict rules and regulations. They’ve also pushed technological boundaries, creating a network of high speed trains known as Shinkansen.
Japanese train conductors hold positions fairly similar to those in the United States. In short, they manage the trains, using hand signals and a process called “pointing and calling” to communicate with other members of the train crew. Pointing and calling is most commonly used by the train drivers, but other crew members will sometimes employ it. It’s so commonly used in Japan, that it is sometimes called by its Japanese name, shisa kanko. The practice is born from the philosophy that making large gestures and speaking actions helps keep workers focused and helps prevent errors. When a crewman points and calls, other crew members must react. In short, the behavior engages all of the senses and keeps train employees on their toes. Modern Japanese train conductors also dress in a manner similar to western conductors. They tend to dress formally, in jackets and ties. They also wear the trademark billed caps with insignias on the front. You may also see these conductors with white gloves and whistles.
China
The railroad came late to China when compared with the aforementioned eastern nations. The first Chinese railways were built in the late 19th century, decades after they’d been established in India and Japan. This delay has been credited to the Qing government and their skepticism when it came to steam engines and their potential use. Additionally, the Qing dynasty had concerns about the potential impact of railroads on the country’s feng shui, a practice that seeks to cult
ivate harmony between individuals and their environment. This attitude toward modern technologies may have been a contributing factor to China’s lack of industrialization, another road block to developing a railroad system.
In the end, trains won out. Technically, the first railway built in China was constructed by a British merchant in 1864 for the benefit of the imperial court. It was promptly dismantled. The first railway to see any actual commercial use in China, was built in 1876. It too was built by the British. If you’re wondering what finally changed the Qing dynasty’s mind, the truth is that nothing did. This railway was also built by the British and without the consent of the government. It was a political power play, backed by a lesser Chinese official. One might say that the railroad came to China despite the best efforts of a centuries old dynasty in love with tradition.
These days, China has a vast railway network with state of the art high speed and maglev trains. It is one of the main methods of transportation for Chinese citizens, making the role of the passenger conductor a very important one. Chinese passenger trains come in a wide variety of classes and styles. Travelers can stay in first class, second class, business class, or a “high speed sleeper.” They can enjoy catered meals or eat at the bar. Even the sleeper trains come with a wide selection of styles to suit every passenger.
Chinese passenger trains typically come equipped with a primary conductor and eight assistant conductors and brakemen. Additionally, a car attendant assists passengers with particular needs. According to travel websites and the experiences of foreigners using the Chinese rail lines, the assistant conductors and brakemen are often found at one end of the dining car. However, Chinese conductors have also been said to be efficient and friendly. Many travelers have credited them with being easy to locate and happy to help. What’s more, they and their crew have been known to entertain passengers, particularly on Chinese holidays, with decorations, costumes, and more.
Conductor- The Heart & Soul of the Railroad Page 6
