We've talked about this before, but the issue of how you present yourself to the public came to mind recently. I was in Flint, MI for work, and had time one afternoon to visit the Huckleberry RR. Well worth the visit. One of the aspects of the operation that I noticed was that the entire train crew was well-dressed. The conductors and brakemen were in white shirts, vests, ties, black dress slacks and caps with appropriate badges. The engineer and fireman were also appropriately dressed in denim. It impressed me because it added to the overall experience, and gave the crew a professional appearance.

So, the informal survey questions are:

1. Does your organization have a dress code for volunteers or train crew?
2. If so, what?
3. Does your organization work with a clothing vendor to provide suitable clothing, caps, etc. to you crew members?

A couple of years ago, based off of a suggestion from this board, I turned a fireman's dress coat into a conductor's coat by changing the buttons and adding functional RR-type pockets. Given the price, it was a reasonable substitution, looks the part, and should give me years of service.

1. Does your organization have a dress code for volunteers or train crew? Yes, for operating staff.
2. If so, what? Retro Capital Transit uniform - white shirt, Navy trousers and tie, Museum-issued cap and hat badge, Eisenhower jacket.
3. Does your organization work with a clothing vendor to provide suitable clothing, caps, etc. to you crew members? Yes

Wesley

Good Gravy, nobody should have to wake up to a picture of himself, most particularly one in which he has stained slacks and an especially goofy grin. There oughta be a law.

Now that looks like a motorman! That is, except for the smile....

What's the source of the Ike Jacket?

Part of my thinking on the subject is that you are selling an experience. Neat, professional, and sometimes period professional dress goes a long way to impart that on the visitor. The living history people at Colonial Williamsburg don't wear polo shirts when they are working on site, so why should yoiu?

The jacket is from Muscatello's Uniforms here in Washington, DC. The cap badge is something we designed and had made up to look like CTCo.

Wesley
with apology to Erik for the Candid Camera moment.

Dockers and Polo shirts are what Class I Road Foremen and Train Masters wear <g>.

Seriously, I think keeping it authentic but simple is best. Historically, passenger conductor's uniforms did not have a great deal of "flair" on them. Some tourist RR staff look more like your annoying server at TGI Friday's than anyone who ever worked on a railroad. I wouldn't have a problem with car hosts just wearing a white shirt and dark blue or black slacks, with a proper name tag. Concession people could add an apron to that. Hey, they're volunteers, they're not getting paid the big bucks to be uncomfortable all day long. Now, if you're doing some form of "first class" service, then yeah, the "penguin suit" look, or white coated "Pullman Porter" image would be appropriate, with a necktie for the men, and scarf for the women. Look at what Amtrak does, it's usually appropriate and tasteful. But if the staff person regularly deals with some of the dirtier aspects of the equipment, or is in a position to spill food or drink on their clothes, don't require them to pay for expensive uniforms. They don't get the pay to do that. As a side note, you can often find perfectly acceptable uniform pieces at a thrift store.

Hopefully attached is a photo I took 35 years ago of the regular Chessie System conductor and engineer for the Cuyahoga Valley Line, Francis Sage and Joe Seaman (I think that's how he spelled his name) standing in front of one of MRHF's ex-Erie Ten Hundred's with 4070 smoking in the background.

Anyway, Francis was a true gentleman and a lot of people's idea of what a passenger conductor should be. Note that his official B&O passenger conductor's uniform only had lapel and button brass, and a hat badge, not even a railroad tie clip or tack.

Yes, the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum has a dress codes - it's part of the overall experience.

here's the Engineer

SD&A Brakeman.

Back in the day Como-Harriet had a volunteer uniform request of black pants and white shirt. We were supposed to supply our own hat. I believe it is the same today.

Short sleeve was an option too. The popular hat was a reproduction Milwaukee road cane summer conductor's hat.

p.s. those pants don't fit me anymore, but the hat still does

As a full-time volunteer I have a special outfit shown here as I was finishing the interior of LATL PCC 3100 at OREM last year. T-shirts from Museum Stores and jeans, shoes, socks, and undies from Walmart.

Hey Marty:

Any requirement to wash the jeans anytime?????

:-)

Jim

That's historically appropriate PATINA!

dave

Hope you didn't over-clean the PCC car Marty!