Coal was a major commodity. It fueled the steam driven locomtives and filled rail cars.

Most of the work is outside. There is no automation. Individual cars are routed to make up strings for common destinations by the men. They ride on the tops of cars and control their speed by hand brakes. They sort cars by moving the track switches by hand. The work is dirty, dangerous,  demanding, and in the winter, cold.

When their shift is done, they wait at the side of the road for a public bus to take them home