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Moving Mail and Express by Rail by Edward DeRouin Hard Cover 2007 224 Pages
Moving Mail and Express by Rail by Edward DeRouin Hard Cover 2007 224 Pages
This book began as a personal curiosity. Just what is or was the railroads' head end business? Unlike the better known aspects of the passenger business, this side of railroading is relatively unknown. If one was not close to the business at the time, the loading and unloading of packages, pouches, and more became a mystery. Images on paper, projection screens, monitors, and in one's mind only serve to fuel the enigma. Recent interests in historic passenger train operation served as a catalyst to push me into this project. It seemed as if those interested in railroading, full-size and miniature, knew what the head end business was, but, unless they were former railroad, express, or postal employees, they could not explain it in modest detail. Historians could cite locomotive histories and passenger car development. Those with an interest in things postal could discuss cancellations and covers. Express was more of a mystery due to its rapid disappearance and bankruptcy. Until now, the business of handling mail, baggage, and express was described in relatively vague language.
In 2004 and 2005, I presented seminars introducing the basics of this subject in Naperville, Illinois and Cocoa Beach, Florida. While the audience was experienced and knowledgeable in many areas, the material was new to them. Unexpectedly, I learned from the audience. That lesson became this book.
The subject of how the railroads handled mail, express, and baggage is clouded at best, and for good reason. The Post Office, Railway Express Agency, and railroads desired to protect the shippers' valuables. Call it security or the-need-to-know. The absence of train robberies is indicative of how little was known about the business. (The last one in the United States occurred in 1931 at Rondout, Illinois.) The principal parties succeeded. Had the public been aware that the Federal Reserve and other banks shipped coin and currency, or that into the 1960s, cash payrolls to military bases were shipped via rail, the history may have been different. Those unwashed and unadorned cars transported many millions of dollars of valuables in their time.
With the exception of the Railway Post Office car, little was said or written about the cars, contents, or destinations. In larger cities, the cars were loaded and unloaded away from public view or, at least, away from detailed scrutiny. Hundreds of cars moved each day without fanfare. They were known as head end cars because their normal placement in the train was in that position.
When the project began, my goal was to penetrate the umbrella term 'head end business' and reveal a bit more of the unknown elements. To my thinking, describing and defining the terms mail, baggage, and express is important. Along with cream and milk, they were the head end business. Included in those thoughts were ideas about organization, history, and improving upon popular concepts of operation. As I began my research, not only did I expose details, but I became fascinated as the number of photographs, documents, and helpful resources expanded. For a time, the project nearly became overwhelming. Managing the scope and depth of the project became paramount.
As a result, I consider the book to be a single piece of the puzzle. Other fine publications produced by various railroad historical societies provide additional information about equipment and operations. Perhaps this work will serve as a starting point for others with a curiosity about the head end business.
I must confess that often, while sifting through records or sorting my thoughts, I became conflicted. I fondly recall the excitement of stations, trains, and travel. The hustle of station work and unstated tension surrounding train time will not easily be forgotten. Yet, as I compiled my notes, I thought as a business person and accepted the reality of the history. Until I confronted this conflict directly, it slowed me.
We rejoice the good times. More objective thinking will see the reality and perhaps will lead to acceptance of the changes. That said, the terms Fast Mail, and Railway Express continue to convey the image of an era long gone, but well remembered and fondly recalled.
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