Rosie the Riveter on the railroads: Incredible photos show how 100,000 women kept US trains, freight and troops running smoothly in World War II

  • The US railroads were vital in transporting troops to the frontline and equipment from the factories overseas 
  • Railroad companies were opposed to hiring women but once men left for combat they had little choice
  • Soon women were being hired 'as fast as they can' and helped kept America's trains running smoothly
  • By the end of the war some 116,000 women were working on railroads across the United States 

By LUKE BARNES FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

These incredibly photos show how women in America helped keep the railroads running during World War 2 - and helped maintain the vital war effort.

Even before the United States entered the war in 1941 it had grown alarmed by the success of Nazi Germany and begun to gear up for conflict.

This put a heavy burden on the railroads, which were used to transport equipment from factories across the U.S. so it could be shipped overseas to help America and its allies.

After Pearl Harbor however the number of female railroad employees rose rapidly. By 1945, some 116,000 women were working on railroads. American women who had stepped forward to see to it that the American railroads continued to deliver the goods during the Second World War.

A report that appeared on the 1943 pages of Click Magazine said: 'Nearly 100,000 women, from messengers aged 16 to seasoned railroaders of 55 to 65, are keeping America's wartime trains rolling. So well do they handle their jobs that the railroad companies, once opposed to hiring any women, are adding others as fast as they can get them.' 

In April 1943, Office of War Information photographer Jack Delano photographed the women of the Chicago & North Western Railroad roundhouse in Clinton, Iowa, as they kept the hulking engines cleaned, lubricated and ready to support the war effort. 

A woman hoses down a steam engine in Clinton, Iowa. Prior to World War 2 women were mostly consigned to clerical duties by railway companies. By 1945 however there were 116,000 women working on the railroads

A woman hoses down a steam engine in Clinton, Iowa. Prior to World War 2 women were mostly consigned to clerical duties by railway companies. By 1945 however there were 116,000 women working on the railroads

Wipers clean down an H-class locomotive. Trains like this one helped keep the massive US war effort ticking and enabled America to provide military aid to its allies in the Soviet Union and Britain

Wipers clean down an H-class locomotive. Trains like this one helped keep the massive US war effort ticking and enabled America to provide military aid to its allies in the Soviet Union and Britain

Lunchtime! Railroad workers take a break during the day. While men were called up to help fight the Nazis women were vital on the home front, keeping essential industries like aircraft factories and railways moving

Lunchtime! Railroad workers take a break during the day. While men were called up to help fight the Nazis women were vital on the home front, keeping essential industries like aircraft factories and railways moving

Wipers clean off an H-Class locomotive
Mrs. Elibia Siematter helps sweep up the Iowa roundhouse where she worked

Wipers work on a locomotive (left) while Mrs Elibia Siematter (right) helps sweep up the roundhouse in Iowa. The constant scourge of German U-boats meant more freight was carried across the US during World War 2 then ever before

Mrs. Marcella Hart and Mrs. Viola Sievers clean a locomotive. Rationing on gasoline and rubber meant that more civilians flocked to the railways because driving had become more expensive 

Mrs. Marcella Hart and Mrs. Viola Sievers clean a locomotive. Rationing on gasoline and rubber meant that more civilians flocked to the railways because driving had become more expensive 

Mrs. Dorothy Lucke, a roundhouse wiper, next to a massive locomotive wheel. At the beginning of the war, women accounted for 25% of the total working population of the United States, but by the end that number was 36% 

Mrs. Dorothy Lucke, a roundhouse wiper, next to a massive locomotive wheel. At the beginning of the war, women accounted for 25% of the total working population of the United States, but by the end that number was 36% 

Mrs. Thelma Cuvage sifts and cleans sand for use in locomotives
Mother-of-four Cloe Weaver trains to operate a locomotive turntable

Mrs. Thelma Cuvage sifts and cleans sand for use in locomotives (left) while mother-of-four Cloe Weaver (right) trains to operate a locomotive turntable

Mrs. Dorothy Lucke, a roundhouse wiper. Although the number of working women decreased after World War 2 many opted to stay in employment 

Mrs. Dorothy Lucke, a roundhouse wiper. Although the number of working women decreased after World War 2 many opted to stay in employment 

Mrs. Irene Bracker, mother of two, a wiper at the roundhouse.
Mrs. Elibia Siematter on her lunch break.

Mrs. Irene Bracker, mother of two, (left) and Mrs. Elibia Siematter on her lunch break (right). Women working during World War 2 also helped change male perceptions about in work.

World War II

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