When it comes to firemen, most people think of those men and women who charge into burning buildings and put out fires. But did you know that a railroad fireman does not put out fires, but actually starts them and keeps them going?
A railroad fireman is a person who works for the railroad company and performs many jobs around the steam locomotive. These jobs include tending and maintaining the fire that keeps the engine running, cleaning and maintaining the train, and many other jobs to help the conductor and engineer to keep the engine moving along.
Knowing what a railroad fireman is and the jobs they do depends entirely on the era in which they worked. Keep reading to discover more about railroad firemen and if the job still exists today.
What Is a Railroad Fireman?
A railroad fireman is a person whose job it was to keep the steam locomotive’s engine running throughout the trip it made. They were often found, at times, walking either in front of the engine or near where the boiler was located.
While the job has changed over the years, the tradition of the railroad fireman is a tedious task that was not designed for the faint of heart. These men often worked pai