Background
Car service was one of the key functions of the Pullman Company Operating Department. As defined by the Interstate Commerce
Commission, car service is “the use, control, supply, movement, distribution, exchange, interchange, and return of locomotives,
cars, and other vehicles used in the transportation of property." The Pullman Company used its regional District Offices
to control car movements and distribution. Each District was responsible for providing sufficient staff to maintain, supply,
and clean Pullman cars in its District when the cars were not in use.
Eugene “Gene” Barber worked for the Pullman Company in the Denver District’s car service department for more than 30 years.
In 1935, he was a "First Clerk." By 1941, he was a relief day and night agent on the car desk. By 1945 he was a car distributor.
In 1961 he is listed in the District Superintendents’ personnel records as a clerk-typist. Eugene Barber was furloughed effective
September 1, 1969, most likely because Pullman passenger car sercice operations had ceased effective December 31, 1968.
Eugene Barber's responsibilities as a car distributor included: handling the distribution of Pullman passenger cars, maintaining
records related to car movements, handling correspondence about the distribution and shopping of cars, answering inquires
for information about car movements, assigning cars to certain lines and trains, as well as arranging for repairs.
In 1939 E.A. Paterson was the Pullman Company’s Chief Clerk for the Denver District's car service. From 1946 to 1959 he
was Receiving Cashier.
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