J.O. Haden with his grease gun, Bluefield Lubritorium, Bluefield, WV, 1955

J.O. Haden, an African American engine supply man, poses with a smile in front of the wheels of a locomotive, holding a grease gun. “Lubritoriums” were locations at Norfolk & Western service facilities where workers could efficiently inspect and grease locomotives, using tools such as the Alemite grease gun. Haden, a longtime employee for N&W, was eventually promoted to the position of machinist.