Another craft superseded by technology, automation: Switch-tenders and grade-crossing guards.  The grade separation story about Oklahoma City last February included pictures of grade-crossing shanties.  Some were rather elaborate, and a certain “ownership” was obvious.  Note the Good-Luck horseshoe over the doorway in the picture above, along with the bench for outdoor comfort.

Many if not most of those positions were filled by employees injured on the job. These men were able to remain employed, and achieve their deserved retirement benefits. 

The handy broom hanging on the wall does double duty, sweeping dirt out the door, and snow out of switch-points. Switch-Tenders received their instructions for routing incoming trains from the Yardmaster.  They usually assisted the “herder” with departing trains.

In my home-town, Tacoma, Washington, there was an elevated tower on the double-track that crossed Pacific Avenue, perhaps the busiest street in town.  On double track these towers had to be high enough to monitor the movements on both tracks.  For years the gentleman manning that tower had a warning system alerting him of snoopy inspectors.  He used fish-line to serve as a trip-wire on the steps leading to this elevated tower, whereupon anyone coming up the stairs would jiggle tin-cans or bottles.  That way he could wake-up, and/or quickly hide his bottle.

The switchman shanty at East End in the Cheyenne yard is visible behind the smoke and steam escaping from the boiler pressure relief valves.   A similar arrangement existed at the other end of the huge yard.  – Gary Ostland

Credits:  Shanty – Emil Albrecht photo, Don Strack collection,   #9040, a three-cylinder 4-12-2 – photo by James L. Ehernberger