Steam & Excursion > A Case Study for Electrification

The Pennsylvania Railroad's Philadelphia engine terminal, circa 1900. 
Photo credit Detroit Photographic Company and the Library of Congress
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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Thousands, maybe tens of thousands of jobs were supporting the supply and service of these locomotives.

 

I can almost smell this toxic cloud now!!!
Bob

refarkas Wrote:
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> I can almost smell this toxic cloud now!!!
> Bob
Its good for you. Its organic, no gluten and sugar free.

I'm from the Ohio valley, I don't trust air I can't see. 

That really gives you an idea of how much smoke was floating around back then from railroads, factories, power plants and all else.  We can't imagine it these days.

coach Wrote:
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> That really gives you an idea of how much smoke
> was floating around back then from railroads,
> factories, power plants and all else.  We can't
> imagine it these days.

This photo was taken at noon on November 28,1939 in St. Louis, MO.

The city had finally had enough and bore down on pollution from coal.

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sometimes we forget how the thousands of dirty jobs on the railroads provided an entry to solid middle class living for many new arrivals in America. Locomotive wipers, kids who climbed into cold fire boxes to bristle bush the walls, hostlers, plumber assistants, etc.

My great grandfather started as an undocumented 14 year old in Greenville yards, Jersey City as a wiper / bristle boy. Worked his way up the ladder and got his kids jobs, etc.

coach Wrote:
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> That really gives you an idea of how much smoke
> was floating around back then from railroads,
> factories, power plants and all else.  We can't
> imagine it these days.

And don't forget all the cigarette smokers (indoors) back then too!

Posted from Android

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/26 20:43 by RailRat.

MacBeau Wrote:
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> The Pennsylvania Railroad's Philadelphia engine
> terminal, circa 1900. 
> Photo credit Detroit Photographic Company and the
> Library of Congress
> Be of good cheer,
> —Mac
> www.lowellamrine.com

Great pic!!