HI Guys.
I have seen Hogger describing the engineer in several rail pictures and was just wondering how the word came about, it would seem to be a derogatory reference remark.
Having fun. [:)]
Lee
I found a number of references to a locomotives being called a “hog” with no explanation. Hence a locomotive enginner is a “hogger” or “hoghead”.
The definition below from this site may be the correct explanition: http://oldunclecrow.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/a-glossary-of-railroad-lingo/
“HOG—Any large locomotive, usually freight. An engineer may be called a hogger, hoghead, hogmaster, hoggineer, hog jockey, hog eye, grunt, pig-mauler, etc. Some few engineers object to such designations as disrespectful, which they rarely are. For meaning of hog law see dogcatchers. Hoghead is said to have originated on the Denver & Rio Grande in 1887, being used to label a brakeman’s caricature of an engineer.”
Here is the defination for “dogcatcher”
“DOGCATCHERS—Crew sent out to relieve another that has been outlawed-that is, overtaken on the road by the sixteen-hour law, which is variously known as dog law, hog law, and pure-food law”
Thanks D.
I remember my Uncle talking about getting caught by the Hog law?, I think. Which was hours on the job, but it has been a long time ago.
Thanks again. [bow]
Lee
The gov’t set up regulations on how long livestock (hogs, cows, sheep) could be in a stock car before they had to be taken out and given food and water. These regulations came out before any regulations limiting the number of hours that railroaders could work before having to take time off. When the original crew limits (which I think was 14 hours originally?) went into effect, it was natural to refer to it as a “hog law” since it mirrored the rules previously set for livestock.
BTW as I recall, when Casey Jones had his fatal wreck in 1900 he had been on duty for about 24 hours straight.
[:-^]
I had heard at one time,(cannot varify the accuracy) That it came from the "Firemen on the steamers, and referred to an Engineer who was really power hungry and as nice a fire and as much of a fire the fireman could lay the Engineer would “HOG” it all and in some cases even blow the fire out when going for more power. Sounds plausible…any other thoughts ?
A engineer could make a fireman’s job hard by rough throttle handling…
As far as “hogger” that came from locomotives being called a “hog” .
Just a thought…perhaps it relates to “pig iron”?? i.e. engines were made of iron and steel, so maybe someone referred to them as being “pig iron on rails” or something similar, and eventually just “pigs”…and “pig” morphed in time to “hog”??