[Originally published 12/08/2008]
Yesterday, I replaced the fill valve on a Toto toilet in our house with a Korky model. During the repair, I caught myself reminiscing about a low-tech toilet. At a previous job, there were commodes that required no maintenance whatsoever.
About ten years ago, I worked as a train and engine employee for Norfolk Southern. Their older locomotives did not have flush toilets. The toilets utilized what is known as a dry hopper system. Here’s how the system worked:
- Use a plastic bag to line the bucket.
- Fold down the seat over the bucket.
- Do your business.
- Remove and seal soiled bag.
- Dispose of bag properly.
Oftentimes, on trains with multiple locomotives, whoever had to go number two would walk back to a trailing unit so as to not stink up the cab in the lead engine. Walking along the catwalk of a locomotive at track speed with the urge to go to the bathroom is quite an experience.
Does NS still have any old engines without flush toilets? What do you think about the dry hopper system?