PLAN No. 993. THE FIREMAN
The fireman must be physically strong. He must shovel coal into the firebox so that the steam pressure will be sufficient at all times for the pulling power of the engine, and yet not be “blowing off” frequently. He must watch the water level in the boiler and see that it does not get low. He must climb back over the tender when the engine takes water. He takes on coal at the coal chutes. On occasions he has to go forward to flag to protect the train from in front. Where automatic bell ringers are not installed he usually keeps the bell ringing when the engine is doing work in yards near a crossing or where other men may be endangered by the engine. When the engine is running and he is not busy shoveling coal he is watching the track along with the engineer, but on the other side of the cab. He must especially watch when his side of the cab is on the inside of a curve. Since the fireman may in an emergency be called upon to perform the duties of an engineer, he is under the same limitations as regards disabilities as the engineer. The accident rate among firemen is high.
PLAN No. 994. THE BRAKEMAN ON PASSENGER TRAINS
The brakeman has various duties, somewhat depending upon the sort of a train on which he works. On a passenger train he calls stations, helps passengers on and off the trains, regulates the heating and lighting of cars, and sets switches. Sometimes this work is done by a porter. As a crippled brakeman would tend to give timid passengers a concrete example of what might result from a wreck or an accident upon the road, railroads have not wished to have disabled men fill this position. How they might deal with the disabled soldier is uncertain.
PLAN No. 995. THE THROUGH-FREIGHT BRAKEMAN
The through-freight brakeman sets switches when his train goes on a siding for another train, or his train picks up a car at a junction point, or sets out one. In such a case, he uncouples the train, air brakes, etc., throws the switches, and after the car has been picked up or set out, couples up the train, makes the air brake connections, and tests them. He watches the train for hot boxes, and transmits signals from the conductor to the engineer. He must climb on and over freight cars, cross bridges, tracks, and switches. He needs to be sound physically.
PLAN No. 996. THE BRAKEMAN ON LOCAL-FREIGHT TRAINS
The brakeman on a local-freight train has no end of switching to do, or loading and unloading less-than-carload freight at small stations along the entire run. The physical demands made upon him are even greater than those made upon a through-freight brakeman. Disabled men should not undertake this job.
PLAN No. 997. THE CONDUCTOR ON FREIGHT TRAINS
The duties of the freight conductor, while lighter from the physical standpoint than those of the freight brakemen, are nevertheless so heavy that a disabled man is not usually wanted by railroads. At certain times he must do the same work as the brakeman does. He must walk over trains or tracks to get orders, or confer with the engineer. He must direct the picking up and the setting out of cars. He must keep a record of the cars in his train, of the ones set out, and of those picked up. He carries the way bills for the freight in his train. He must read and sign for all orders received for his train. His duties, while requiring more mental work than those of the brakeman, are still so heavy and dangerous that any physical disability would be a handicap to him.