two vignettes from 62-63 on the MILW. I walked from the dorm to the station most nights at Mt. Carroll IL to watch 19 come in, work mail, and leave. One evening a particular Trainman was not visible. I asked where he was and was told he was so drunk they had stashed him in a roomette and would rouse him when they approached Marion IA where they changed crews.
Another evening, I was on my way back to college leaving Chicago. One of the usual Trainmen had been bumped down to working the baggage car so I went to say hello. He invited me to ride w/him. We were barely out of the throat of CUS when he opened his briefcase and offered me a drink of brandy. I demurred mostly because I don't have much liking for alcohol.
It WAS fun throwing sealed mail sacks at Elgin and several other stops.