A few days (weeks) ago there was a thread which started with Gerald's "seal
records"..and spun off into some different areas..one of which was banana
messengers and bananas in general.
Check page 58 October TRAINS...you'll see at lower left a clerk "pulping" a
"hand" (I think that's what they were called) of bananas..As mentioned as
bananas ripen they create a considrable quantity of heat and depending on how
far
the car is going, what the outside temperature is and what degree of ripeness
the owner wants it's critical to monitor the condition and adjust vents,
heaters and/or ice accordingly...If the carrier missed any instructions or did
the
wrong thing it gave the consignee just the reason they were looking for to
file a claim for carrier neglegence....Any carrier who missed something or did
something wrong was charged with a "point of negligence" as the claim payment
was apportioned among the roads who handled the car...and the claims were pro
rated accordinglly...
Another little tidbit as ;you read the photo caption: "For a clerk, the yard
was hazardous duty, as there was no one watching out for him. Before a clerk
crossed or neared a track he had to look carefully for cut-off cars silently
rolling down that track. Death awaited the unwary"...
Most yard clerks especially when engaged in PPSI (Perishable Protective
Service Inspector) work were regarded as a nuisnance and basically a hindrance
to
the operation...But let a train be ready to leave and the bills not be
ready...woe betide that clerk....There was no blue flagging of cars for the
inspector..he would normally tell the YM what he was going to do, but he was on
his own
and indeed, as the caption reads, there was no one to look after him".
Any old "mud hops" out there have a story for us????.
Also in the same feature on page 60 of TRAINS headed up NIGHT TRAIN....is the
most realistic picture I can ever remember seeing of a conductor at work...in
his "office"...what a great shot....Note these things: Blue serge
uniform...got lots of miles on it...note the "shine". Watch chain visible
through his
vest buttons, coat pocket loaded with "hat checks and possibly cash fare
receipts. Note the high top, well shined shoes complete with "hooks" near the
top
for easy lace up...Note his "train box" complete with hat checks, ticket report
forms and other "paperwork" which made up the conductor's office work on a
passenger train...This may have been a "posed shot", but boy is it realistic
and
anyone who worked passenger when trains were trains and train crews dressed
like they should be dressed will, I believe agree....
That photographer really caught a good one.
Pete
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