My wonderful family gave me a ticket for a "Your Hand On The Throttle" run at a local steam railroad.

Like many of us, I have wanted to do this all my life. I want photos of me during this great event, darn it, so it would be fun in the traditional engineer's outfit.

1. Bib Overalls
2. Blue denim hat
3. Denim jacket
4. Denim shirt
5. Boots
6. Leg straps
7. Neckerchief.

Got a Hamilton watch!

What did they wear back in the day and what do they wear now? I mean what brand and where to get them today.
I have looked on-line. The hardest thing seems to me is a blue denim hat.

Any help well be much appreciated!

Ever the name dropper here's famous Charlie Amos at the Western Maryland Scenic summer 2005:

Showing a pretty fan his artwork:

*Notice the bloused trousers!

And in the "big seat" in WMSR 734, ready to take 'er up the hill, here spinning yarns as we wait for passengers to load.

Charlie is still qualified to run to this day!

His garb is just about what every Western Maryland cab crew wore in the day.

Ed

Don't forget the work boots, gloves and safety glasses.

You say it would be "fun" to dress an an engineer, but trust me, you'll need these clothes far more for protection than style.

Personally, I prefer "stripes" over the blue denim, which is just as authentic.

Instead of a denim shirt--which might be too heavy in a hot cab--I'd reccommend a blue cotton work shirt. I found mine at Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) in California. I also got my Dickie's overalls there. OshKosh used to make them as well, but they may be expensive on the used market.

My crowning piece is an Oshkosh hickory striped "engineer" jacket--no longer made--that I found on Ebay in perfect, never-worn condition and picked up for a song.

You can buy guantlet gloves from a place like Shrader's, but they are mostly for show. They're cotton, and fall apart rather quickly in the environment of a steam locomotive cab. You need to find all leather gloves. You can find these also at the hardware store. Sometimes gardening gloves will work, but you should also check out the welding section. Welding gloves are definitely up to the task, but are thicker than gardening gloves, so you'll have less tactile ability. Here's what welding gloves look like.

Kromer still makes engineer hats. They made them "back in the day." Striped hat Bear in mind this is a "baseball" style cap, not the squared-off kind you may be used to. That style is available from Shraders as well, in fitted sizes. It's very well made. See here.

If you must go the boring route and just want a blue denim cap, you can find it here.

Get yourself a pair of black steel-toed work boots from your local shoe store.

Now, tie a red bandana around your neck, and you're done. You'll pay 50 cents more for this one, but that's 'cause it's made in the good ol' US of A.

Have fun!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: smd4,

I prefer the blue bibs made by Key, as they are still made in USA. Oshkosh no longer offers USA made 100% cotton bibs, work shirts, nor the typical "Engineer's work coat". I still buy ONLY Redwing made in USA high top, lace-up steel toe, safety boots (required by BNSF & UP). I tend to use the Kromer "fitted" black or red, white & blue "American Flag" caps while on the engine, and "official crew" 4449/844/3985 baseball caps when not running. The correct sized Kromer RR caps fit nice and tight so the wind doesn't blow them off. Clear and sun safety glasses made by UVEX, are furneshed by BNSF/UP.

For extremely hot weather conditions, I prefer 100% cotton navy blue work pants & T-shirt.

Wow, and I thought only sports teams had specific uniforms. Can engineers sell advertising on their outfits?

Thanks for the replies everyone! I knew I would get good answers from people who are more than willing to share their valuable knowledge.

Please excuse the use of the word "fun." That comes from the prospective of a starry-eyed layman who has wanted to pull a throttle for over 50 years and will have less then an hour in the engineer seat. From the perspective of someone who does it professionally, correct apparel is imperative to safely and comfortably get though the day. No frivolous disregard to safe operation and procedure was meant by me.

I have spent over 30 years in the motion picture business. Comfortable, functional attire is crucial to work in often harsh and sometimes dangerous environments.

Engine crew garb evolved out of necessity. I see and understand what each piece does. I just want to experience it for my self as fully a possible.

I have been studying various instructional manuals regarding airbrakes, locomotive preparation etc.

It's gonna be great!

Again thanks.

In the old steam days, Firemen would wear black work shirts, called "Thousand Milers." The name came from the usual length of a RR division run (approx 100 miles). The shirt could be worn for ten days before washing. I expect the men showered or bathed after each run, though, as hand-firing a steam loco was/is a very hot, sweaty job.

I found a black Dickies work shirt (often worn as part of uniform by firefighters these days) at Wal-Mart a few years ago. About that same time I also bought a pair of Oshkosh denim "railroad" overalls. I wear these as a costume when I participate in model train shows, topped off by a Kromer engineers' hat (traditional, not baseball style). I bought my hat when they were sold by Kalmbach to celebrate MODEL RAILROADER's (I think 20th) anniversary; it has a special patch on the front with the slogan "Model Railroading is Fun."

I hope you find all the stuff you need for your day as an engineer--it should be great fun.

What a departure today is. I worked with an engineer who worked in black jeans, a denim shirt, leather vest and perfectly groomed hair....

My Grandfather always wore a "Polka-dot" hat. He didn't care for the tight fitting ones. Did I miss a source for these caps?
Question???Have you ever heard a idea that UNION guys dressed differently than others?

Wasn't Kromer the source of the Polka-dot hat? And if your Grandfather liked it loose, how did it stay on his head?

Pleas correct me, but it is my impression that the Kromer caps were popular in the upper midwest since the factory was there. Wisconsin?

Styles certainly would vary region to region, railroad to railroad, man to man.

Sorry wouldn't know a thing about union to non-union preferences. Having been a union man for 29 years my guess is that a big railroad union man could afford a more expensive outfit than the guy on the non-union short line.

Kromer has and still produces the polka-dot caps in various colors. Kromer also still produces the original fitted (or sized) "KROMER BLIZARD KAP" with a 100% wool exterior and 100% soft cotton gray flannel lining. I still use my Kromer Blizard had all winter, whether I'm on the RR or outside blowing snow. Since Kromer is in Wisconsin, they were/are popular througout the midwest and northern/northwestern states, especially the wool Blizard hat.

Kromer "polka-dot" caps.

Carhart also makes bib overalls. They are also made in the USA. You can get the gauntlet style leather gloves from Harbor Freight. They are a little short on the gauntlet but are good enough. If you are going in the summer a cotton shirt is the way to go. Make sure it is 100% cotton and long sleeve for safety reasons. If you have a chance to try both sides of the cab do it. Being a "fireman" and "engineer" will give you quite an insight into the life of a steamer's crew.
Ron

Quite the story on ol' Stormy Kromer!


Stormy Kromer and his Hat


Or in stylish leather...

British Railway Driver Hat

I can imagine a train crew fashion show. The engineers would have a runway to show off their outfits, and the firemen/conductors would have one, too. I can visualize the cheers and flashbulbs going off. A spin-off would be an annual train crew fashion calendar.

One more thing. Could this happen?

Fireman Bill's phone rings at 3:00AM. It's Harry, an engineer. "Bill, train # 153's crew is dead outside of town, can I pick you up in 10 minutes to relive them? Sure Harry. What are you wearing?"

What about a spread in GQ the men's fashion magazine?

Do you suppose George Clooney is available?

He likes steam locomotives. Put one in his new movie "Leatherheads."

GOOD GRIEF!!!!

ROTFL!

I knew we'd get a rise out of Hot Water!

With all due respect, sir!

I better go find some out of the way roundhouse and hide till it's safe again!

One thing no-one bothered to mention - for true authenticity you should get the clothes good and dirty!

KL

KL

Enginemen very seldom got their overalls dirty!!! The hostler cleaned the cab before the locomotives was dispatched. The deck was clean and everything was wiped down.

Now roundhouserats were a different story. A clean set of overalls would be lucky to last 4 hours, depending on the job.

Obviously you have not run or fired a coal burning steam locomotive over the road, if you think that the Engineer nor Fireman don't get the bibs dirty!

Not getting dirty on a hand bombed loco?
I fired on #40 on the NH&I for about 8 months straight (and plan on going back!) and by hand id'e shovel approx 4-5 tons per day into the firebox between 6 trips plus whatever i needed passed down. The junk would get everywhere. Between using your clothes as an emergency rag, the junk flying around, and the soot you got filthy. Without boot straps the dust creeps up your legs and blackens everything under your clothes. You take a shower and your legs are black....alllll the way up. not to mention that it sometimes is a full 12 hour day and your not only fireman but double hostler.

quote:

Originally posted by RdHseRat:
KL

Enginemen very seldom got their overalls dirty!!! The hostler cleaned the cab before the locomotives was dispatched. The deck was clean and everything was wiped down.

Now roundhouserats were a different story. A clean set of overalls would be lucky to last 4 hours, depending on the job.

You mean dirty like this? William London C&NW railroad worker 25 years. Jack Delano, 1942.


Talk about dirty, nasty jobs: Spreading fresh asbestos, CN&W Proviso Yards, Chicago, IL. Jack Delano, 1942.