The shoulder straps of chief conductor of the Ministry of Railways

At the old railway terminology, the chief conductor was called the head of the train. Under his command was the whole team that served the passenger train, much more numerous than now. In addition to the conductors, it included the stokers, cleaners, Junior conductors and brake conductors. Last duty was as the train stops at a signal from the operator to twist the arm manual brake, mounted on the carriage platforms, as air brakes then it was not a force one engine to stop the heavy train was impossible. To manage such a large and diverse team that required good leadership qualities and team skills. The chief conductor is paid a sufficiently high salary, were recruited for this position often a retired enlisted. Beautiful picture of the high conductor is in the novel by Alexander Svirsky "ginger", published in 1901: "in twenty minutes after the call to the station, huffing and puffing as if, the train arrived, Packed full of passengers of all three classes. The train was greeted by a young man in the red cap. Took only one minute. The young man in the red cap made a sign to the watchman, and he three times and grabbed the rope of the bell. The chief conductor, small but thick-set man with red, bloodshot neck and a big belly, put the whistle to his lips, he hung on a silver chain along the side uniform summer tunic, and began whistling trills. The engine answered him short and sharp whistle to say: hear. The conductor whistled for the second time. Then the locomotive's shrill scream pierced the neighborhood, and train as if reluctantly, quietly moved". As uniforms, the chief conductors were supposed cloth coat, trimmed with gold lace, and the hallmark of his position was special sample narrow shoulder straps of twisted silver and crimson cords. Judging by the data attachment of the shoulder straps with webbing loops and linear buttons, they were meant to be socks on the coat, and on summer linen coat to be easily removed for washing. These insignia, as with all types of shoulder epaulettes were abolished after the October revolution. Nowadays, the insignia of railway workers Dating back to the period before 1917, almost never occur. The guarantee of authenticity.