> How about the extra board?

Not in my day.

> Other crafts to consider, also.

Usually those on an hourly wage basis were the only ones to get holiday benefits, such as switch engines (a paid holiday, time and 1/2 for working the holiday). Since road/pool jobs weren't hourly, they didn't enjoy these benefits. However, this may have changed (for the road jobs), and to know the specifics of any situation and craft, you would have to read the applicable union agreement, particularly the ones currently in force. Amtrak is a different ball of wax.

> Railroads have sometimes been known to pretty much shut down on holidays.

This has to do with the switching jobs and clerical forces.