Their Stations in Life

From pipe fitters to engineers, women have done the same jobs as their male counterparts on the railroad in the last 100 years. Their contributions are captured in an exhibit and series of performances Saturday at Travel Town in Griffith Park.

“She’s Been Working On the Railroad,” part of a citywide celebration of Women’s History Month, features live musical and theatrical events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Two free performances of an original family-oriented play, “Getting Ready” by Sheri Moses and Danette Lindeman, will be presented at noon and 3 p.m. The play follows the adventures of a girl, played by 10-year-old Chelsea Alden, on a train ride 100 years ago.

The point behind the day’s activities is reflected in a remark the young traveler makes when she encounters a female hobo on the train: “But you’re not a boy!”

She is similarly amazed to encounter a woman station agent, a female pipe fitter, a saloon girl and one of the famous “Harvey Girls” who worked in the restaurants along the Western rail routes.

There’s also a photo exhibition in the Travel Town Museum Gallery that depicts the wide range of roles women played in American railroad history. Telegraphers, track-builders, ticket agents and architects gaze out with pride from the historical photographs.

Organized by historian Shirley Burman, the exhibition is open to the public until April 5. A book, also titled “She’s Been Working on the Railroad,” contains many of the photos displayed at the gallery. Produced by Burman in collaboration with writer Nancy Smiler Levinson, it is available at the park bookstore.

Historical reenactor Marci Baun will visit the park, playing an 1887 Harvey Girl named Ellen Johnson who talks about her experiences working for the Fred Harvey chain of restaurants and hotels.

Musical entertainment will be provided by a Dixieland band, Kaye Wade’s Tinsel Town Ten, with special guest Annette Davis on spoons and percussion. They perform on the Arcadia Depot stage at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Travel Town is at 5200 Zoo Drive, near the Forest Lawn offramp of California 134. Park hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. Rides on the miniature train cost $2 for adults, $1.50 for children. For more information, call (213) 485-5520.

Coming next week is an evening at Paramount Ranch devoted to early Hollywood westerns filmed there, including the first Hopalong Cassidy movie, “Hopalong Cassidy Enters.” The 1935 film will be screened and discussed by a panel of experts.

To reach the old Western town at Paramount Ranch, take the Ventura Freeway to Kanan Road. Drive south on Kanan about three-quarters of a mile and turn left on Cornell Way, then go south 2 1/2 miles to the park entrance. Wear warm clothing and take a flashlight. For information, call (818) 881-2081.