The Station Agent and the American Railroad Experience [Hardcover]

Before the widespread popularity of automobiles, buses, and trucks, freight and passenger trains bound the nation together.The Station Agent and the American Railroad Experienceexplores the role of local frontline workers that kept the country's vast rail network running.

Virtually every community with a railroad connection had a depot and an agent. These men and occasionally women became the official representatives of their companies and were highly respected. They met the public when they sold tickets, planned travel itineraries, and reported freight and express shipments. Additionally, their first-hand knowledge of Morse code made them the most informed in town. But as times changed, so did the role of, and the need for, the station agent.

Beautifully illustrated with dozens of vintage photographs,The Station Agent and the American Railroad Experience, brings back to life the day-to-day experience of the station agent and captures the evolution of railroad operations as technology advanced.

H. Roger Grant is author of numerous books on railroads and transportation, includingRailroads and the American People (IUP), andA Mighty Fine Road (IUP). He is Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University.

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Formative Years
2. Maturity: Essentials
3. Maturity: Complexities
4. Decline
Notes
Bibliography
5. Legacy
Index

The story of agents is complex. It involves much more than the public perception. For decades the job required the mastery of the cryptic Morse code. For some this would be a daunting task. There were downsides, ranging from labor disputes over unionization, hours, and other workplace issues to managing unruly individuals who haunted depot waiting rooms. Still, the position held distinct attractionspossibilities for steady employment and advancement, decent wages, a safe working environment, workdays that were uló.