3
3: This photo is obviously posed, with the workmen static
rather than active, but it clearly shows the two traditional
ice tools used throughout PFE territory: one's forged
steel with two prongs, called a “bi-dent,” probably by
analogy with “trident,” and the other is a wood-handled
tool for moving ice, having both a point and a hook,
called a “pickaroon.” The small movable bridge hooks
on the drop-down apron. Note the color of the hatch
plug. – PFE photo, Rob Evans collection.
Getting Real Column - 3
the topic, and the kinds of resources I have exploited, will clar-
ify how a similar approach could be taken for any era.
The Car Fleet
When PFE began in 1906, it purchased 6600 new refrigera-
tor cars. Immediately it became the largest single fleet in the
country of such cars under railroad control (Armour Car Lines
MRH-Sep 2013
