railroad workers Archives - Appalachian History

January 29, 2019 Railroad industry / West Virginia

It’s winter. Engineers, to the dog house!

In the early 20th century, the hundreds of short-line railroads were regarded by locals as their railroad. The KGJ&E was no exception.

It throwed the lead mule way up on the hillside

Derben saw he couldn’t hold his cars with only one brake, so when he got to the other end of the bridge, he jumped off & turned the cars loose on the mules.

December 6, 2017 Appalachian celebrities / Black Appalachia / Railroad industry / West Virginia

John Henry was hammering

The legend began in Big Bend Tunnel, Summers County, WV, which CSX Railroad still uses today. He was the most powerful man working the rails.

Carolina, Knoxville and Western stock certificate

July 18, 2017 Railroad industry / South Carolina

The Swamp Rabbit engineer had to back up a mile to retrieve a lost cow-catcher

The “Swamp Rabbit,” true to its name, did not mind inequalities in its pathway, so the track went up and down, following the lay of the land.

January 7, 2008 Black Appalachia / Railroad industry

Gandy Dancers

Before railroad work was completely mechanized in the 1950s, railroad calls were an everyday part of the track worker’s ritual.

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