Re: C&S Badges, Buttons, Fobbs, and such...

Posted by Mike Trent on Nov 04, 2023; 11:28pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-Badges-Buttons-Fobbs-and-such-tp19026p19196.html

Hi Richard, I grew up in Boulder and as a boy knew a lot of the railroaders in the late days of steam, and rode the passenger train that ran between Billings and Denver many times until it was discontinued.

I have never seen a hat badge like you have but I think it dates way back further than those days. The period behind the C&S RY. probably goes back to about 1910 would be my guess, similar to the early way the official insignia was done on documents, rolling stock, etc. If it was used in passenger service, and it may well have been, the hat would have been dark blue or black, and very much like trainmen wore in the last days, except without the "Burlington Route" logo the "Q" required. Even in the 30's, Passenger trainmen wore dark blue hats with patent leather bills and the Burlington heralds. Identical to what I remember in the 60's. I have never seen a hat badge on a freight brakeman. A conductor, maybe, but not a brakeman. That's why I think yours likely dates back to pre-"Q" C&S passenger days. A very fine find!