19.16

Uniform, Railroad Conductor

1955

Chicago Northwestern Railroad Conductor Uniform. Material: textile, metal. (a) Jacket. Size: 18" W. x 29" H. Description: long sleeved navy blue wool jacket; raised gold textile letters on each lapel: "C & N. W."; four gold colored metal buttons down front, each button stamped: "C & NW"; left breast pocket; two lower pockets on each side; two small gold colored metal buttons on each sleeve cuff, each button stamped: "C & NW"; raised gold textile star and four bars on lower left sleeve; textile label on interior right breast pocket: "Manufacturers of Uniforms, Caps, A. G. Meier & Co., 205 Monroe St, Chicago." (b) Vest. Size: 10 1/2" W. x 23" H. Description: sleeveless navy blue wool vest; V-neckline; left and right breast pockets with smaller pocket above left pocket; one pocket on each lower side; six gold colored metal buttons down front, each button stamped: "C & NW"; white cotton lining; textile label inside: "A. G. Meier & Co., 205 W. Monroe St, Chicago 6, ILL., For: B.J. Rhode, Date: 4-18-1957, No. 7292." (c) Pants. Size: 14" W. x 37 1/2" L. Description: navy blue wool pants with white cotton lining; pockets in front and back. Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. C & NW Railroad.

Chicago Northwestern Railroad Conductor Uniform and hat issued to Benard "Ben" Rhode 22 September 1955. Ben retired from the railroad in 1959. Gregg Hodges, grand nephew of Ben, acquired the conductor uniform and hat and wore them while working at a railroad museum in Greenbay, WI from 1960 till 1964. The Rhode family had many family members that worked for the railroad. "Rhode Road" was the nickname for the section of tracks in Waseca. Ben's father, Albert Rhode, was a locomotive engineer, Albert's brother, John Rhode, worked for the railroad. Albert and John's father, August Rhode, worked for the railroad. Ben's brother, Frank Rhode, also worked for the railroad. Donor, Gregg Hodges, worked on the railroad too.