Railroad Workers' Oral Histories

This episode of Roundhouse Crosstalk will take an intimate look at the lives of the Black Americans who worked on the railroad. You will hear oral history interviews from the Oregon State Universities African American Railroad Porters Oral History Collection, these interviews provide insight into railroad jobs such as, Red Caps, Porters, Waiters, and Cooks. All of these interviews were recorded in the 1980s by Michael Grice, and are now available online.

Black Americans held many jobs on the railroad, and these oral stories showcase the diversity of job placement. These interviews will give you a firsthand look at the difficulties faced by the  black workers, their feelings towards the railroad, and the collective memory of shared community among railroad workers.