Railroad Cats
Cats have been a part of the railroad scene almost since the first rails were laid. Many railroad facilities, such as yard offices, rural stations, and interlocking towers, have had resident cats who have adopted (or let themselves be adopted by) railroaders. In return for food and a place to sleep, the cats helped keep pests under control.
One railroad even had a cat as its primary advertising symbol. The Chesapeake & Ohio's ads featured a kitten named Chessie, and described travel on its trains as so smooth that passenger could "sleep like a kitten." During World War II, C&O's ads also showed a male cat called Peake, dressed in a soldier's hat.
IRM has been home to many railroad cats over the years. Currently, Slurpy and Tiger often "help" the office staff, while Socks hangs out at the Electric Car Shop in Barn 4. Between naps, all three regularly patrol "their" museum. Please say hello to them if they stroll past!
Courtesy hmdb.org
