American Experience

Confined Labor in the Tunnels

Clip: Season 26 Episode 5 | 1m 24s

Excavation for the Pennsylvania Railroad's tunnel project was done by hand labor, with workers typically using a spade or pneumatic hammer. Excavation workers, called “sandhogs,” faced many dangers working in a confined space. Equipment was constantly moving in and out along with muck carts full of tons of mud and rock—and there was nowhere to run if things went awry.

Aired: 02/18/14

Rating: NR

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