I've been reading some 1940s era Railroad Magazines, and they keep mentioning guys throwing 'thousand miler' shirts into their grip. Anybody know where that term came from?
-Chris

My recollection is that railroaders felt they could wear the shirts for 1000 miles of service before having to wash them.

Best Regards,
Glenn

I've heard the term used for the old blue chambray work shirts. Always thought the 1000-miler moniker was a reference to their durability...
J

Aw, heck...That's only ten 100 mile days :-)

Exactly, they could be worn for a long time without showing dirt. They also had 1000 miler jackets, those were the ones made of heavy dark blue denium with dark brown corduroy collars.

The term "Thousand Miler" comes from the era prior to about 1910 - before crew districts and hours of service.

In those days a crew might work all over the railroad. To take the example of the East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia Railroad, a crew may sign on in Knoxville, TN, and work to Chattanooga; then, instead of returning home, work to Rome, GA, and on to Selma, Al; make a turn to Anniston, etc., before finally, "a thousand miles later," returning home.

I've seen the term applied to lunch pails as well as clothing.

JAC

I had understood it to mean that it was worn for 10 days before being washed, with a day being about 100 miles... I'm not sure I believe it.

If you look at a 19th century engine crew they frequently look pretty spiffy. Engine service was by 19th century standards a pretty high tech way to make a living, and the crews would dress the part with derby hats and ties.