Submitted by DearGiraffe6168 t3_zr09tm in history
I know that traditionally, boys were recruited onto the steam railway at the age of fourteen as engine cleaners with only a basic education. After a year or so of laborious engine cleaning combined with general shed duties, such as assisting the boiler-smiths and fitters, they would be examined and passed out by a locomotive inspector as being fit for firing duties. Now re-classified as Passed Cleaners, from this point on they could be used by the shed foremen as firemen on such workings as local goods trips or yard shunting. Eventually a cleaner would obtain a full time fireman’s appointment and after many years would gradually rise through the ‘links’. Most of these boys were also the sons of pre existing Drivers. However as far as my research suggests this very formal system only emerged in the late 1860s onward, so how did the early 1830s driver’s come about? I’m going to guess perhaps they came from the Mills which used static steam engines, and Ive read an account of a 15 year old porter in 1841 being offered a position of a fireman on the Manchester and Liverpool Railway so perhaps it was some for of recruits just being found around the yard but I’m not sure. What does anyone else think?
mysilvermachine t1_j11eah7 wrote
It looks like you are talking about the U.K. - so right at the start there was a shortage of trained staff and as you say those with experience of stationary steam locos would be recruited and others with mechanical experience such as those in engineering workshops.
There’s accounts of the London & Birmingham of Stephenson locomotive works having staff accompany trainee drivers and firemen on trips ( usually with goods) to show them the best way of working the engines and what the hand signals meant.
There were also periodical labour disputes where all the engine staff would be dismissed and basically anyone who had an inkling would be employed, including drivers who had been dismissed by other companies for drunkenness or worse.
It was a chaotic time that lasted until the 1860s or so. But even then as railways expanded rapidly you could be promoted to driver, the elite of the working class, in your mid 20s.