Did engineers *really* wear blue pinstripe caps? Does anyone know the history behind this fashion cliche?

Similar, but in my experience of looking through archived photos, no. This is 1950's Disney Cornball crap. Engineers wore kromer caps that were similar, but not the same, and not striped.

The origin of the Kromer Railroader's Cap is described at the Kromer site. It is my understanding that Ida Kromer made the first one using a fabric used to make bed pillows called Ticking, a striped medium weight cotton material. I was originally used for pillows due to is weight and propensity to keep the sharp points from goose down from sicking through the fabric.

I have seen railroaders wear the "boxy" Ticking one, as well as the red and the blue polka-doted ones. These memories go back to the late '40's/early '50's when I was "a wee small boy," whose grandfather would take for a walk to the train station in East Stroudsburg, PA to watch the steam engines come through.

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Good info guys. Apparently some engineers wore them, after 1900. I sorta had the impression that "disney" (or hollywood) popularized them with the public, and engineers began wearing them after that because "that is what they are supposed to wear (according to the movies). Some of the early photos I have seen of western railroads, it looks just as likely they are wearing a bowler or cowboy hat.

Chasing down that kind of "important history" is something that gives me great satisfaction. from time to time, someone will pose a question and I'll think, "Yeah, I've wondered about that, too!" ... and off I go.

It was fun! And I'll probably continue to chase down relevent photos for a while longer.

nachoman Wrote:Did engineers *really* wear blue pinstripe caps? Does anyone know the history behind this fashion cliche?

Yes,it was very common for engineers,fireman,brakeman,carmen,shop men to wear those hats upto the end of steam era and the coming of the ball cap..

When I hired on the PRR in '66 I notice a lot of the older brakeman,fireman and engineers worn those hats..

Brakie Wrote:

nachoman Wrote:Did engineers *really* wear blue pinstripe caps? Does anyone know the history behind this fashion cliche?

Yes,it was very common for engineers,fireman,brakeman,carmen,shop men to wear those hats upto the end of steam era and the coming of the ball cap..

When I hired on the PRR in '66 I notice a lot of the older brakeman,fireman and engineers worn those hats..

Now, of course, they look elegant with thier beer bellies and sloppy dress. Even the ones seen on television dress like they come from homeless shelters.

sloppy dress???!!!

Not unless they have a death wish..Loose clothing can catch on equipment and cause injury or death..Even today a railroad man needs to be in good to excellent condition with good upper strength and be able to lift up to 75 pounds.

Railroading is still a physically demanding job and not for the faint of heart or those expecting a 40 hour work week..

The biggest difference that I've seen in train crew's wardrobes is that running a steam engine was dirty work. The engine crew didn't wear coveralls to make a fashion statement! Today's modern diesel is a much cleaner beast, so I usually see the train crew wearing comfortable clothing. they don't wear suits and ties, but I've never seen a railroad worker that look the least bit like the homeless people we see at every freeway off ramp in So Cal.

Brakie Wrote:sloppy dress???!!!

Not unless they have a death wish..Loose clothing can catch on equipment and cause injury or death..Even today a railroad man needs to be in good to excellent condition with good upper strength and be able to lift up to 75 pounds.

Railroading is still a physically demanding job and not for the faint of heart or those expecting a 40 hour work week..

Not the ones operating diesel engines. They look like cops - beer bellies and all. Sitting on their butts all day is NOT a physical fitness program.

And they dress like slobs. I watch the crew changes outside of Palmer Lake all the time. Some of these guys need a hoist to get into the cab.

Not the ones operating diesel engines. They look like cops - beer bellies and all. Sitting on their butts all day is NOT a physical fitness program.
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There's more to that job then that to include a lot of stress..Today's engineers are usually promoted conductors..

I seen some hefty railroaders when I worked as a rail..All was strong as a ox..

Great shot of 155 Bil. She's one of my favorites.

MountainMan Wrote:I watch the crew changes outside of Palmer Lake all the time. Some of these guys need a hoist to get into the cab.

If you noticed, the model railroading companies picked up on that

tom