These are the generation of men that taught me the trade. I in turn taught the younger guys the trade. I’ve been out of the trade for 6 years, I’m proud to say I was an IBEW lineman in the trade 43 years. We called the men you see in this video the “Felt Hat Linemen” hats off to you brothers, thanks for all you taught us!
Great footage. Like another guy said this generation are the guys I came up under. They were real men. Most of them didn’t suffer fools very well and were intimidating to a 19 year old grunt, but not a day went by did not learn something. Some of those lessons kept me from getting hurt or possibly killed later in my career. I really miss working with them. Love the pic at the end of the old F-700 with the Pitman Polecat. The first line truck I worked on was just like that.
Years ago I worked for the Rural Electrification co down in OK. The boss sent me to the Navajo nation to run electric lights into all the outhouses across the reservation. Yep, I’m probably the first guy to ever wire a head for a reservation. !
first line truck was a Diamon T , crew road in the back of the truck , winter , summer , free climb all poles, hand dig , hang tx with block&tackle...good old days
Awesome video! Thanks for all the work you do as Linemen- be power, cable/ fiber or telephone. I have some experience in the cable/fiber aerial construction side but these guys shown were truly pioneers.
Love this video! Brings back memories of my Dad and a lot guys I knew growing up that worked on the Linegang in East Tennessee, I myself am a lineman now and still use a lot of these ways these guys are using. Miss the older days and the guys as well. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for what you do. It sounds like you’re making the ones you reminisce on proud. I spent about 8 years in Cable/fiber, mainly as a groundhand and driver doing aerial construction. I was lucky to have an excellent linemen who taught me a lot! Not just in line work but he exemplified integrity in whatever you do. I was able to spike a few poles and go up in the bucket. Good times, indeed. 😁
when i starte working on line we where changing old line to new line in 74 they was a lots off2300volts changin to 7200 volts and lots off climbing now its all bucket save the old knee
I am not. Spent several years as a groundhand/ driver. I had an awesome lineman who taught me a lot about running coax/ fiber, I went up in the bucket a few times and spiked a few poles but I was never a linemen but, as you see, I have a lot of respect for the profession.
Those are some tough ole boys, its a hard job now, sometimes, but goddamn to do all of that without our current tech and tools is impressive. my hard hat is off to em.
Awesome video. Much respect to the workers of that generation. Did you see those Three guys pile into the cab of the Chevy in the beginning? Those cabs are not as big as we have today. Tight fit for sure.
That's still used today. They're called pike poles and you still set some poles by hand. Digging a gradually sloping trench into your hole with a rock bar as the back stop on the hole. Sometimes it's more difficult to get the pole back there. I can't tell you how many times I wanted a good mule while building power lines.
It appears the video was taken in the early 1950s. Maybe originally as film. If any street lighting was installed in any of the towns served, would that be prior to photocell switching? It looks like that such may have been on the old string system, having a central timer and small transformer somewhere on the circuit.
These are the generation of men that taught me the trade. I in turn taught the younger guys the trade. I’ve been out of the trade for 6 years, I’m proud to say I was an IBEW lineman in the trade 43 years. We called the men you see in this video the “Felt Hat Linemen” hats off to you brothers, thanks for all you taught us!
I too got trained by the best in the trade. I completed 42 years in 2016. I'd do it all over again!
Great footage. Like another guy said this generation are the guys I came up under. They were real men. Most of them didn’t suffer fools very well and were intimidating to a 19 year old grunt, but not a day went by did not learn something. Some of those lessons kept me from getting hurt or possibly killed later in my career. I really miss working with them.
Love the pic at the end of the old F-700 with the Pitman Polecat. The first line truck I worked on was just like that.
Years ago I worked for the Rural Electrification co down in OK.
The boss sent me to the Navajo nation to run electric lights into
all the outhouses across the reservation. Yep, I’m probably the
first guy to ever wire a head for a reservation.
!
first line truck was a Diamon T , crew road in the back of the truck , winter , summer , free climb all poles, hand dig , hang tx with block&tackle...good old days
Great old films! Thank you from a Massachusetts lineman
Ahhh... the old days where free climbing was the way to get to the top! I spent 42 years climbing. I'm retired now, but would do it all over again.
Awesome video! Thanks for all the work you do as Linemen- be power, cable/ fiber or telephone. I have some experience in the cable/fiber aerial construction side but these guys shown were truly pioneers.
Awesome video. Always great to see vintage line work.
Love this video! Brings back memories of my Dad and a lot guys I knew growing up that worked on the Linegang in East Tennessee, I myself am a lineman now and still use a lot of these ways these guys are using. Miss the older days and the guys as well. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for what you do. It sounds like you’re making the ones you reminisce on proud. I spent about 8 years in Cable/fiber, mainly as a groundhand and driver doing aerial construction. I was lucky to have an excellent linemen who taught me a lot! Not just in line work but he exemplified integrity in whatever you do. I was able to spike a few poles and go up in the bucket. Good times, indeed. 😁
Hard hats??!! We don’t need no stinkin Hard hats!! These guys were downright studs!! Much respect!!
Thanks for Posting!! Awesome old school footage.
when i starte working on line we where changing old line to new line in 74 they was a lots off2300volts changin to 7200 volts and lots off climbing now its all bucket save the old knee
Much respect to you, as well!
@@psykolikwid are you a lineman
I am not. Spent several years as a groundhand/ driver. I had an awesome lineman who taught me a lot about running coax/ fiber, I went up in the bucket a few times and spiked a few poles but I was never a linemen but, as you see, I have a lot of respect for the profession.
Those are some tough ole boys, its a hard job now, sometimes, but goddamn to do all of that without our current tech and tools is impressive. my hard hat is off to em.
Awesome video. Much respect to the workers of that generation. Did you see those Three guys pile into the cab of the Chevy in the beginning? Those cabs are not as big as we have today. Tight fit for sure.
Pike poles... how i learned.
I've been reading "climbing to the top" about Floyd Pike. Good read
amazing how poles where put in using sticks-
That's still used today. They're called pike poles and you still set some poles by hand. Digging a gradually sloping trench into your hole with a rock bar as the back stop on the hole. Sometimes it's more difficult to get the pole back there. I can't tell you how many times I wanted a good mule while building power lines.
i am with you Edge1289....
It appears the video was taken in the early 1950s. Maybe originally as film. If any street lighting was installed in any of the towns served, would that be prior to photocell switching? It looks like that such may have been on the old string system, having a central timer and small transformer somewhere on the circuit.
Most dangerous job in the world, and the most thankless.
gloved 4160 off pole , has to be careful , convetted to 7200 later ,
That was when we’re men. Men were made of steel & boats were made of wood.