NYC 1931 Big 4 at Cairo

Subject: Big 4 at Cairo. "Train 24 just before leaving time, Cairo, IL 1931". I am assuming that this is a Mt. Carmel crew, with Cairo as the outlying terminal. Looks like a few of the passengers got in on the picture!
CAPT Rex Settlemoir

 

Cairo is one of the saddest places to visit in the USA.

http://www.abandonedonline.net/locations/neighborhoods/cairo-illinois/

 

The "Passengers" might be:

• office support for the location
• family members
• the only passengers departing
• party crashers

Not knowing much about train crews of the era, it appears to be two "conductors". Could there be two crews in the photo?

If not two conductors, what positions would have that type of uniform?

Gary

 

Passenger brakeman or rear flagman are dressed in uniform. I think some Carmen and mechanical employees got into the photo as well as a few yard clerks. and stenographers.

I'm betting that the engine crew is standing on the engine: Engineer, fireman, head brakeman.

Randy

 

During the 1940's and 1950's all in-car employees were uniformed on NYC Harlem Division passenger trains. This would have included the Conductor, Ass't Conductor, Brakeman, etc. The same may have been true for B-4 trains as well. I think the photo is honoring a retiring employee, probably the old gentleman in the middle. If so, then the "civilians" to the right may have been family members, and the employees to the left were crew and fellow workers directly related to that train. This last assumption would make sense if the train were a commuter or local that kept the same crew for its entire run five days a week, year in, year out.

I have a similar photo of the retirement of a Harlem Division engineer after 50 years, which also includes many members of his family.

 

I agree with Hank. Thanks for more historical photos, Roger. The link to the story of Cairo in the second post sure tells a sad story of that once proud city.