The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-11
RAILROAD NEWS.
"BoOk of Rules" as Explained
by Switchmen.
Real Meaning of Big Book on
Every Railroad.
WHAT is WATER TANK
European Hotel Where Trains
Stop to Pick Up Tramps.
Other Items Of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.

The Book of Rules is the main source
of grief to the average railroad man
It is their one ghost and the one couo
non whic.. their jobs depend and their
knowledge increases from time to 1llie'
More versions of the Book of Rules can
be obtained in the average sWltcli
shanty" than all the educators anu
students IN the country have peeh eO'e
to get out of the Good Book
The Following definitions have peer
ohtained bv a railroad switchman "ho
had nothing else to do while lald up
With a "ninc.. ed" leg in the hospital
because he played too long -,
footboard on the hind END OIL "
engine r,,1led bv a
b,,ncb ~ scrap iron and steel Win q
whistle and number plate. eupioSe
he and sometimes called an engine.
Regular Train-A train accoT ta fSon ~
bill Of fare that should always w
eight to ten hours late
E,xtrs Train-What is calied an en-
CINE with more cars than the engine -
supposed to haul -. ,,,,.a,,s
Superior Train-A train that away
supposed to be from 80 TO Az in nI.ni,'~
late in order to lay out all other trnns-
Time card or table-Names OF sta
+ions numbers of trains and the time
each train is supposed TO De at edCn
place. Trains are not supposed TO De
on time but have IL hours to get there
without losing their identity
Yard-A system of tracks Tor lns
making and breaking up of trains anu
a bunch of snake to keep trains from
getting in or out
Book of RuIes-Book full of ideas OF
some clerk as to trains that are sup
posed to be run; not enforced until you
CAUGHT hroakincr them.
Schedule-The running time of some
extra over the division and Whlch IL
always one hour faster than train can
make it so as to lay out other trains
waiting for the extra.
Fixed Signal-Student brakeman on
the top of a box car with a cinder in
his eye and his lantern out.
Red Iight-To be used to stop trains
so that the crews will have something
to swear at
Red Flag-To be taken home to your
wife to make sofa cushions.
Rear Brakeman-Always found curled
up in the cupola telling the conductor
how engineer should be working the
engine so as to make better time.
Head Brakeman-SuppoSed to sleep
on freman's. seat box and if asked to
do any work gets insulted and throws
UP the job.
Engineer-Commonly called hog-head
or eagle eye-Tries to run engine and
the train. Called eagle eye because he
is always looking for trouble.
Fireman-Party on left hand side of
engine. Always thinks he is getting
worst of everything. Sometimes called
bake head, rough neck and tallow pot.
Snake or switchman-One or more
men with cuds of tobacco in their faces
who are trying to make it as disagree
able as possible for young engineers.
Their main duty is to lay out as many
trains as possible.
Car overwhelmingly called car
knocker and who is supposed to hit a
car whack or two, take the number
and go back to the warm stove.
Claim Agent-A busy employe who IS
supposed to be at wrecks and accidents
so as to get injured persons to sign re-
leases while they are still unconscious
or out of their heads
Road Master-Keeps one or more
clerks busy wiring or writing head of
office why roadbed is in such rotten
condition.
Section Boss-Foreman of a gang of
Greeks who keeps his men filing their
pipes, burying cattle and fixing
switches that have been run through.
Station Agent-Left there to get or
ders for train crews and take the blame
for all wrecks. Also to tell lies to pas
sengerS about train time.
Travelling Ffreman-One who is nut
on the road to see how much trouble he
car start.
Yard Master-Hiras and fires switch
men and abuses trein crews.
Conductor-Boss or captain of a drag
who is always busy telling crew or
agents what he thinks of them.
Torpedo-Betters known as glln-used
to wake up crew on following train.
Water Tank-A hotel on the European