A couple more random thoughts on uniforms and dress codes that I haven't read above:

Project 1225 requires all-cotton clothes for workers around the steam locomotive, to prevent the aggravated burns that will occur if a steam leak melts a synthetic garment.

We recommend, but do not require, a uniform work shirt with the organization's and volunteer's name embroidered on it. Most of our guys own several changes of these. I discovered a benefit of these shirts when I took a truckload of rubble from a "clean out the shop" effort to the local trash transfer station. I figured we'd never get rid of the mysterious powdery white stuff (not asbestos, but it looked like it), empty paint cans, and other scary junk, but when the proprietor saw our uniform shirts he believed us when we avowed none of the stuff was hazardous.

Also, as your crew visits lumber yards, restaurants, business-supply houses and other local businesses, the shirts remind businessmen that your museum really does participate in the local economy and brings money to town.

I second the notes above on heeled, steel-toed boots. A couple years ago I rode a large tourist line (now under new management) but got nervous after I noticed the black shoes the trainmen were wearing were actually tennis shoes. Personally I maintain that there's no substitute for Red Wing boots and even dress shoes. I'm still wearing the pairs I bought in 1988.

Aarne Frobom
Project 1225
The Steam Railroading Institute
P. O. Box 665
Owosso, MI 48867-0665

froboma@mdot.state.mi.us

> Fine, but then don't go bragging about how
> you are recreating or preserving history and
> the true experience. There is a big
> difference between that and perpetuating a
> perception that is more suited to what we
> wish was true instead of what was true.

> Which reopens the can of worms that much of
> what was real about old time railroading is
> not only ugly from today's viewpoint but is
> also highly politically incorrect as well,
> and thus doesn't get touched with the
> proverbial 10-foot pole in our efforts to
> portray reality.
You make a good point. While researching Climax locomotives it is unusual to see enginemen in hickory stripes. More often the crew are wearing a beat up derby, plaid shirt and suspenders on jeans.And as to the engine, well some look like someone dumped the contents of a small shed all over them. You won't see that in a museum.

ironbartom@aol.com