anyone courious? looking for answers… kind of a quiz…give it your best shot amd then i’ll let you all know the factual origon. keep on amtrak’n f40-400
There is an interesting article about them in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandy_dancer
According to Bruce “Utah” Phillips, back when the railroads were being built by manual labor, there was a company called the Gandy Shovel Company that made the long-handled shovels used by the construction crews. The men would wedge a shovel blade under the rail and then “dance” out on the handle to lever the rail up so they could tamp more ballast under it.
Even though machines have taken over much of the heavier track maintenance tasks in more modern times, railroad track maintenance crews are sometimes still referred to as “Gandy Dancers”.
Although I know that this was a railroad term used to identify track layers, I often use the term to describe an individual who is less than forth right in his/her business dealings or is occupied is a sleezy occupation that tends to defraud individuals by “fast talking”
Also I use it to refer to an individual who eludes the truth by “dancing” around it. e.g, “Boy, did he gandy dance that one.”
Somehow the words just seem to fit the situation.
I thought they called Steamers Gandy Dancers? Tim
I have watch CSX and NS track gangs do old fashion manual track repair…I have notice most can drive a spike home with 3 or 4 hits with the spike mull.Its like TING! TING! TING! and its home.[:D][8D]
I have a Gandy Dancer’s Tool in my collection of odds and ends. Weighs in at around 80 lbs. Gandy Dancers were members of the track maintenance crew that worked the right of way and pushed the track (especially on the curves) back into alignment. They were often convicts sent out to do heavy labor. Songs were usually used to help the work. The history of the work song around the world is a fascinating subject (I used to teach about this and sing several with my students). The ballad of John Henry was one such song on the railway. The gang would all push together after positioning their tools to move the track. As in:
"When John Henry was a little baby, Huh!
Sittin’ on his mammies knee, Huh!
Said the Big Bend Tunnel on the B & O road (HUh!)
and the hammer’s gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord! (etc.)"
At the end of each phrase (Huh!) every man pushed as hard as he could and gradually the track would go back in line. Then they walked carrying the 80 pound tool to the next bend and started over. The rhythm of the song was essential to get the job done.