When Jack Delano traveled out to California on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe in March of 1943, he recorded this view of a brakeman riding on the roof of their freight train as they were descending slowly down a grade. They’re in the vicinity of Summit, California on the line running between Barstow and San Bernardino.

I suspect that the train had stopped to let the brakes cool a bit when this photograph was taken. I doubt Mr. Delano would have been atop a moving train with his large camera! Note that the brakeman is carrying a brake club, used primarily to tighten vertical staff brake wheels. And also note the wooden running boards atop the reefer (refrigerated car) that the brakeman is riding. Can you imagine walking those in inclement weather wearing leather-soled shoes?