As a youth, I worked on a four-man section in Florence, MT. One man was 62, another 64, my boss was 45 and I was 19. For two years, I enjoyed life to the fullest with these men, pulling ties, tamping, cleaning switches and lining rails on a Northern Pacific branchline up the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, south of Missoula. I learned to appreciate men with experience, and the labor of honest men. We owe a lot to men like these who work in the weather, hot sweating hours to maintain right-of-ways across this great nation. Hats off to a great picture! Thanks Michael!!
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I also worked on a tie gang in the early 70's for Penn Central. We worked the main line from Boston to Albany. For about 8 months I ran the balast regulator/broom which I don't see pictured here. I ate a lot of dust, but looking back I enjoyed what I was doing. Thanks for reviving the memory of my younger days.
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