Life in a Railway Factory

This edition features
• illustrations
• a linked Index

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
LABOUR UNREST
CHAPTER II
THE STAMPING SHOP - GENERAL ENVIRONMENT - THE “COALIES” - THE ROLLING MILLS - PUDDLING AND SHINGLING - ACCIDENTS AT THE ROLLS - THE SCRAP WAGGONS - WASTE
CHAPTER III
THE SHUNTERS - WATCHMEN - DETECTING A THIEF - FIRES - CARRIAGE FINISHERS - PAINTERS - WASHERS-DOWN - CUSHION-BEATERS - CHANGES AND INNOVATIONS - DEPARTMENTAL RELATIONS
CHAPTER IV
THE OLD CANAL - THE ASH-WHEELERS - THE BRICKLAYERS - RIVAL FOREMEN - THE ROAD-WAGGON BUILDERS - THE WHEEL SHED - BOY TURNERS - THE RUBBISH HEAP
CHAPTER V
“THE FIELD” - “CUTTING-DOWN” - THE FLYING DUTCHMAN - THE FRAME SHED - PROMOTION - RIVET BOYS - THE OVERSEER
CHAPTER VI
THE SMITHY - THE SMITH - BUILDING THE FIRE - GALLERYMEN - APPRENTICES - THE OLDEST HAND - DEATH OF A SMITH - THE SMITH’S ATTITUDE TO HIS MATES - HIS GREAT GOOD-NATURE - THE SMITHS’ FOREMAN
CHAPTER VII
FITTERS - THE STEAM-HAMMER SHED - FORGEMEN - THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - BOILERMAKERS - THE FOUNDRY - THE BLAST FURNACE - MOULDERS
CHAPTER VIII
GETTING TO WORK - THE AWAKENING IN THE COUNTRY - STEALING A RIDE - THE TOWN STIR - THE ARMY OF WORKMEN - “CHECKING” - EARLY COMERS - CLERKS AND DRAUGHTSMEN - FEATURES OF THE STAFF
CHAPTER IX
FIRST OPERATIONS IN THE SHED - THE EARLY DIN - ITS EFFECT ON THE WORKMEN - CHARGING THE HEATS - THE OIL FURNACE - THE “AJAX” - HARRY AND SAMMY - THE “STRAPPIE” - HYDRAULIC POWER - WHEEL-BURSTING
CHAPTER X
STAMPING - THE DROP-HAMMER STAFF - ALGY AND CECIL - PAUL AND “PUMP” - “SMAMER” - BOILERS - A NEAR SHAVE
CHAPTER XI
FORGING AND SMITHING - HYDRAULIC OPERATIONS - “BALTIMORE” - “BLACK SAM” - “STRAWBERRY” AND GUSTAVUS - THE “FIRE KING” - “TUBBY” - BOLAND - PINNELL OF THE YANKEE PLANT
CHAPTER XII
FIRST QUARTER AT THE FORGE
CHAPTER XIII
THE NIGHT SHIFT - ARRIVAL IN THE SHED - “FOLLOWING THE TOOL” - THE FORGEMAN’S HASTE AND BUSTLE - LIGHT AND SHADE - SUPPER-TIME - CLATTER AND CLANG - MIDNIGHT - WEARINESS - THE RELEASE - HOME TO REST
CHAPTER XIV
INFERIORITY OF WORK MADE BY THE NIGHT SHIFT - ALTERING THE GAUGES - THE “BLACK LIST” - “DOUBLE STOPPAGE CHARLIE“ - ”JIMMY USELESS” - THE HAUNTED FORGE AND COKE HEAP - THE OLD VALET - THE CHECKER AND STOREKEEPER
CHAPTER XV
SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS - THE FACTORY YEAR - HOLIDAYS - “TRIP” - MOODS AND FEELINGS - PAY-DAY - LOSING A QUARTER - GETTING MARRIED
CHAPTER XVI
COLD AND HEAT - MEALS - FAT AND LEAN WORKMEN - WAYS AND MEANS - PRANKS - ALL FOOLS’ DAY - NEW YEAR’S EVE
CHAPTER XVII
GETTING A START - THE NEW HAND - TOWN AND COUNTRY WORKMEN - PROMOTION - DISCHARGING HANDS - LANGUAGE OF THE SHED - EDUCATION - THE EDUCATED MAN NOT WANTED - GREASING THE FORGE
CHAPTER XVIII
SHORT TIME AND OVERTIME - “BACK TO THE LAND” - THE TOWN INFLUENCE - CHANGES AT THE WORKS - GRIEVANCES - THE POSITION OF LABOUR - ILLS AND REMEDIES - THE FUTURE OUTLOOK
APPENDIX
TABLE OF WAGES PAID AT THE WORKS
Index