4501steamer
New member
- Joined
- May 25, 2025
- Messages
- 1
I began my railroad career in the 1970s in Knoxville, Tn. As an extra Depot agent operator. It was a glorious time for an east TN poorboy. I trained or cubbed as it was known,at every depot from Chattanooga to Asheville, Knoxville to Bristol, Knoxville to Jellico and Cumberland Gap and a few more stations I have since forgotten .
I was on call 7/24 to be in place in 2 hours. These were the days before cell phones and portable radio communications. Traffic was directed by handing up orders copied on onion skin paper directing train movements directly to passing trains . I watched sections of rail being replaced by hand and spikes being driven with a big pick hammer by big sweaty men who claimed to love their jobs.
Sleeping in the passenger waiting rooms of old depots, eating out of tin cans,making lifelong memories. We worked 12 hour some days or stayed up all night. I was occasionally given the opportunity to ride on an engine, noisy, smelly, hot , extremely powerful machines, but it was the answer to a dream for many of us.
Southern serves the South
I was on call 7/24 to be in place in 2 hours. These were the days before cell phones and portable radio communications. Traffic was directed by handing up orders copied on onion skin paper directing train movements directly to passing trains . I watched sections of rail being replaced by hand and spikes being driven with a big pick hammer by big sweaty men who claimed to love their jobs.
Sleeping in the passenger waiting rooms of old depots, eating out of tin cans,making lifelong memories. We worked 12 hour some days or stayed up all night. I was occasionally given the opportunity to ride on an engine, noisy, smelly, hot , extremely powerful machines, but it was the answer to a dream for many of us.
Southern serves the South
