The coils used in rewinding the armature may be purchased complete from an electrical manufacturing company, but the larger concerns make their own coils. The preparation and insulating of these coils is often benchwork. A man who does not have the use of his feet can do some of it. Deft fingers are required, but there are now many blind workers who are insulating armature coils successfully. This work may pay from $40 to $90 a month. Some preliminary manual training is required, which can usually be obtained in the shop where the worker is to be employed.
PLAN No. 1212. SHOP WIRING—MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
The shop wiremen of an electric-railway company do the wiring around the plant, as well as that on the cars. A journeyman wire man should be able to interpret correctly wiring diagrams for ordinary jobs. These may include the installation of motors, heaters, lights, rheostats, and similar equipment. Also, he should be competent to route economically his circuits through inaccessible places and should be familiar with the National Electrical Code. He may have to install headlights, signal lights, pump-governor relays, and other devices now forming a part of car equipments. The wireman must have had considerable experience, but each wireman usually has a helper to assist him. A man with little or no experience can start in as a helper, and develop into a good wireman. The length of time required to do this will be determined almost wholly by the man’s knowledge of electricity and his efforts at self improvement. It may require six months or a year or two years. The work is done usually in a car shop which is inclosed and heated. An 8-hour day is common, but in some companies the men work 9 or 10 hours. The pay is about $75 to $125 for a wireman, and $50 to $90 for a helper.
PLAN No. 1213. CAR INSPECTING—MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT
The car inspector’s duties involve a knowledge of numerous occupations, and he must be familiar with various sorts of equipment. His position in the company’s organization is an important one, because the expense of car repairs is often materially minimized by his foresight and alertness. He judges which repairs should be made in the general shop and which in the car barn. He must know the function and operation of every working part of the car. In detail, his duties consist of a systematic inspection of all components of the car equipment. These include the motors, controllers, brakes, lights, signs, heaters, and other devices on the cars which may require attention. Usually the work is done during daylight hours. Cars are held periodically in the barn for inspection. Work of this type is well adapted to a man who is unqualified physically for heavy tasks. A man of good judgment who was formerly employed in a car barn in some other capacity and who is, in general, familiar with cars and their repairs, might be trained readily for this occupation. An inspector works eight or ten hours a day and receives a salary varying from $75 to $150 per month.
PLAN No. 1214. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
This department handles the traffic, operates the cars, plans their schedules, and revises their routings to meet the requirements of the traveling public. A superintendent of transportation is the executive head. His assistants are the division superintendents, inspectors, instructors, station foremen, motormen, conductors, and the car shifters in the barns. Each division superintendent has charge of the traffic in a certain part of the system. The inspector has charge of the cars and crews while on the road. It is his duty to enforce the rules of the company to insure that cars and equipment are handled efficiently and that the cars maintain their schedules. Men holding the positions of division superintendent and traffic inspector generally qualify for them from the rank and file of the train service. They should have a thorough knowledge of car operation. The inspector’s position is one which an ambitious man, who has the requisite ability, may obtain. Salary ranges from $80 to $160 monthly.
PLAN No. 1215. INSTRUCTING—TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Instructors have charge of the training of prospective motormen and conductors. The instructor assigns students to an experienced motorman or conductor who teaches them the essentials of their jobs. Then the instructor informs the new men in detail as to rules and, if necessary, makes trial trips with them. The instructor in many companies also conducts classes wherein the new men are given some schooling as to the theory and practice of the electrical air brake and similar equipment which will come under their charge. A returned soldier who has had prior street-railway experience, who is physically disqualified for work involving physical strain or considerable manual effort, should, after some study, be able to qualify for the position of instructor. For one who is fitted temperamentally for work of this character the position would be a very good one. It will pay about $100 to $175 per month.