Trainmen Hats or "What is a Hog Head Hat?"

[duker1]

Received this from CSX at recent event in Jax, FL and thought would share. Interesting from a prototypical historical perspective.

"From the inception of railroading, railroad workers have captured the public's imagination. During the 1840's, attention was especially drawn to railroad conductors who began wearing distinguishing apparel, thus creating the first railroad uniform. A prominent article of the crisp, dark, tailored uniforms was the small billed, dark colored, fine silk hat, bearing a silver nameplate which read "CONDUCTOR".

It wasn't long before other workers commenced wearing similar uniforms, with their own titles, such as brakeman, switchman, agent, telegrapher, etc., emblazoned on the silver nameplate. Starting in 1870, railroad companies began issuing official uniforms to all train crew members, with the exception of the engine crew.

Independently minded locomotive engineers and firemen shunned the fine cut clothing of the other train crew members. They needed rugged apparel that could withstand the heat, grease, and oil of their job. Engine crews in the early days of transcontinental railroading wore sturdy wool, or dark denim trousers, loose fitting muslin shirts, wool vests, and square toed shoes and boots. Their hats were traditional derbies, top hats, even military headgear, all without a nameplate.

Finally, in 1880, engineers gave in to the trend and developed their own unique uniform. This clothing included a soft, durable hat, of unusual design, which became the trademark of engineers, who were affectionately known as "hog heads." Again, it had no nameplate.

Today, engineers are most like their independent predessors. They can be seen wearing regular denim jeans instead of overalls, and "baseball" style caps. Just like the mighty steam locomotive of yesterday, the traditional hog head hat has become a symbol of the past."

The Duke....

[RAM]

Now if you are from Arkansas a hog head hat is something else, and a call to go with it.

[ebtnut]

Way back when, the nickname for locomotives among some railroaders was "hogs".  The head guy in the cab, the engineer, thus became known as the "hog head" or "hogger".  (Firemen were called "tallowpots", but I digress)  It's true that the engine crews in the 19th century sported a variety of headgear.  The derby is VERY apparent in photos of western railroads in the post-Civil War era.  The more familiar soft, billed cap seems to have become the "standard" in the early 20th century, along with the "hickory stripe" overalls that usually matched the hats.  Hats and scarves were pretty much standard wear during the steam era, to try and keep the cinders and soot from out of the hair and down the shirt.