This silver metal cap badge bears the engraving “M.C.R.R./CONDUCTOR” filled with black paint. This badge would have been worn by a conductor for the Michigan Central Railroad, which began operating between Detroit and Chicago in 1846. The MCR was consolidated into the New York Central system during the 1930s. The conductor was—and is today—the sole on-board supervisor of the whole crew, responsible for the movement of the train, the safety of passengers, and the security and accounting of cargo on board.
