In addition to hospitals many railroads had a contract with a local physician at every division point to give physical exams and treat illnesses and injuries. They were paid a small retainer plus a fee for each service provided. In case of a major injury the patient was admitted to a local hospital.

Technically the doctor was a railroad employee and had a pass like any other employee. My father was the railroad surgeon for the Van Buren, Arkansas, division point of Missouri Pacific. We travelled on his pass several times although MP was the definition of a slow train through Arkansas.