Unloading ties and iron, 1868 - 1869

Rails, which weighed the most, were often kicked off the flatcars and carried by gangs of men on each side of the rail to where they were needed. The rails just in front of the rail car would be placed first, measured for the correct gauge with gauge sticks, and then nailed down on the ties with spike mauls. The fishplates connecting the ends of the rails would be bolted on and then the car pushed by hand to the end of the rail and rail installation repeated.