Life in a Railway Factory

Acknowledgements (Michael Justin Davis) Introduction (Michael Justin Davis) Preface Chapter I - Labour Unrest Chapter II - The Stamping Shop - General Environment - The 'Coalies' - The Rolling Mills - Puddling and Shingling - Accidents at the Rolls - The Scrap Waggons - Waste Chapter III - The Shunters - Watchmen - Detecting a Thief - Fires - Carriage Finishers - Painters - 'Washers-Down' - Cushion-Beaters - Changes and Innovations - Departmental Relations Chapter IV - The Old Canal - The Ash-Wheelers - The Bricklayers - Rival Foremen - The Road-Waggon Builders - The Wheel Shed - Boy Turners - The Rubbish Heap Chapter V - 'The Field' - 'Cutting-Down' - The Flying Dutchman - The Frame Shed - Promotion - Rivet Boys - The Overseer Chapter VI- The Smithy - The Smith - Building The Fire - Gallery Men - Apprentices - The Oldest Hand - Death of a Smith - The Smith's Attitude to his Mates - Hi Great Good-Nature - The Smiths' Foreman Chapter VII Fitter - The Steam-Hammer Shop - Forgemen- Their Characteristics - Boiler Makers - The Foundry - The Blast Furnace - Moulders Chapter VIII Getting to Work - The Awakening in the Country - Stealing a Ride - The Town Stir - The Army of Workmen - 'Checking' - Early Comers - Clerks and Draughtsmen - Features of the Staff Chapter IX First Operations in the Shed - The Early Din - It's Effect on the Workmen - Charging the Heats - The Oil Furnace - The 'Ajax' - Harry and Sammy - The 'Strappie' - Hydraulic Power - Wheel-Bursting Chapter X Stamping - The Drop-Hammer Staff - Algy and Cecil - Paul and 'Pump' - 'Smamer' - Boilers - A Near Shave Chapter XI Forging and Smithing - Hydraulic Operations - 'Baltimore' - 'Black Sam' - 'Strawberry' and Gustavus - The 'Fire King' - 'Tubby' - Boland - Pinnell of the Yankee Plant Chapter XII First Quarter in the Forge Chapter XIII The Night Shift - Arrival in the Shed - 'Following the Tool' - The Forgeman's Haste and Bustle - Light and Shade - Supper-Time - Clatter and Clang - Midnight - Weariness - The Release - Home to Rest Chapter XIV Inferiority of Work Made by the Night Shift - Altering the Gauges - The 'Black List - 'Double Stoppage Charlie' - 'Jimmy Useless' - The Haunted Cokeheap - The Old Valet - The Checker and Storekeeper Chapter XV Sickness and Accidents - The Factory Year - Holidays - 'Trip' - Moods and Feelings - Pay-Day - Losing a Quarter - Getting Married Chapter XVI Cold and Heat - Meals - Fat and Lean Workmen - Ways and Means - Pranks - All Fools' Day - New Year's Eve Chapter XVII Getting a Start - The New Hand - Town and Country Workmen - Promotion - Discharging Hands - Language of the Shed - Education - The Educated Man Not Wanted - Greasing the Forge Chapter XVIII Short Time and Overtime - 'Back to the Land' - The Town Influence - Changes at the Works - 'Grievances - The Position of Labour - Ills and Remedies - The Future Outlook Appendix (table of average wages) Index