Re: [CBQ] Section Houses

["Richard Kistler rckistler@windstream.net [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

On 7/30/2014 11:05 AM, Tim Fleck tf5077@yahoo.com [CBQ] wrote:

 

My great grandfather was a section foreman. He along with my great grandmother lived in section houses. My great grandmother told me they moved depending on the location of the section of railroad he was responsible for. In the summer months they often lived out of bunk cars. Somehow my great grandmother was able to travel and live with him . She said it was so hot in the bunk cars. They had convinced a welder to cut windows in the ends of the car to allow for more air circulation. I am assuming section houses were provided for section foremen and their families as depots had living quarters for the agent stationed there. Tim

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014 10:55 AM, "Kenneth Martin kmartin537@surewest.net [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I have a drawing of a CB&Q section house that has three bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. This arrouses my curiosity.

My questions are
1. Who would use them?
2. How were they used?
3. Where would they be located?

Ken Martin               

My knowlege of CB&Q section houses is limited, but I doubt that they were any different from other railroad section houses, which to my knowlege were always occupied by the section foreman, and placed close to where the section car (hand car or motorized car) and MOW material was located. I would magine the floor plan for a two-story three bedroom frame structure was standard. The other section workers lived in what ever housing was available or in bunk cars.  Their living conditions were not the best, the same with bridge gangs who were always moving from location. Usually the bridge gang foreman had a permanent residence belonging to the railroad, and located on a spur track where the gangs bunk cars would be located when they were "home".  The section houses were appently well built, as some still exist today as private residences. Section gangs and bridge gangs were not paid or treated well by the railroad. They lived a hard life often with little or no accomodations. - Richard Kistler

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Posted by: Richard Kistler <rckistler@windstream.net>

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