Railway Surgeons, Railroad Hospitals and Hospital Trains

Honoring their legacy

Railway surgery was the medical specialty devoted to caring for railway employees, and often non-employee family or community members.  A railway surgeon was a physician who practiced railway surgery.  Railway surgeons provided a wide range of care, including trauma care, primary care, surgery, and occupational health services.  Together with the railroads, they built and operated a vast and innovative network of hospitals and clinics, linked by an advanced transportation system. Nearly forgotten today, this relatively small but dedicated group of doctors made many advances in medical science, as well as practical ways to deliver health care.  Hospital trains were special cars or entire trains designed to transport and care for patients - rolling hospitals staffed by doctors, nurses and medics.

This site is dedicated to preserving their history, educating the public about their work and contributions to medicine, and exploring how their concepts might be useful in the future.