Caboose usage

[Brakie]

...but, if directed by the proper authority, the brakeman could help, and would earn a "penalty" payment of as much as a full day's pay. Few rules said you couldn't do things - most resulted,with proper authority, in extra $$$ for the employee. When I started in the mid 70s, penalties more than paid my union (and Christmas Club) dues ! Safety requirements now dictate no more people than seats (some have 4) in a loco cab - of course multiple units multiplies the capacity. Bob C.

Bob,A fireman had to be qualified to fire a steam locomotive..A brakeman was not obligated in helping in firing even if ask...

My Dad was a head brakeman and knew how to fire but,both company and union rules didn't allow a unqualified person to fire or help fire and as bullheaded as my dad was he would never help fire any way because a shovel was not a brakeman's tool and help fire the locomotive was not in the Union job description.
He finally became a qualified fireman and later engineer.

Neither of my Grandfathers(both hardcore BLE members) would permit a "low life brakeman" to help fire a locomotive in their words"Wasn't their -------- job".If the ---------fireman couldn't keep up then call a extra board fireman to help.

Another thing to remember back then the Operating Unions was strong.