Larger stations had a small gas tractor to pull several of these express carts in a string, but smaller stations relied strictly on the manpower at the station. I will never forget one night in the early 1960s when I was working alone as 3rd trick Operator in Kennewick WA. NP #1, the Mainstreeter, pulled in with two caskets to be unloaded. A man & wife who had been killed in a traffic accident somewhere back east. Each one weighed about about 500 pounds. Fortunately I had two empty "carriages" (really express carts) available; still it was all that I and the Express Messenger could do to get them safely out of the baggage car and onto the express carts. I remember thinking that I sure didn't want to get my foot under the box! These carts had a chain that was used to lock one wheel so the cart wouldn't move at the wrong time and I was glad for that. They were sturdy, had 4 wheels, and could carry a very heavy load.

#1 had a departure delay that night leaving Kennewick! The Conductor probably wrote it up as "excessive time unloading baggage". I dragged both carts into the express room and the funeral home showed up later that morning to pick them up.

Bruce Butler