>>1241325EVERYONE drank or was on drugs. The ex-Korean war guys were heavy drinkers. Vietnam vets smoked weed. People did coke, amphetamines, and pills on duty. If you didn't drink with your crew they would think you're a narc.
There were a lot of head end brakemen who became proficient engineers because the engineer would get too fucked up to operate, then the fireman would, so it was up to him to run the train.
If you talk to old heads they miss those days. One told me it was great because "the party started when you went on duty." When trainmasters and road foremen would climb up on a locomotive it was customary to share a beer with him.
