VINTAGE 1950s Great Northern Railway Empire Builder Wool Uniform Shirt Red MOW For Sale

Estate find. Passed down through the same Minnesota family.

A rare, authentic piece of vintage American industrial railroad workwear.

This is an original 1950s Great Northern Railway (GNR) "Empire Builder" Route Wool Uniform Shirt-Jacket.

While the GNR's passenger trains famously utilized Omaha Orange, vibrant high-visibility red wool garments like this were explicitly issued to the Maintenance of Way (MOW) track crews, signalmen, and safety inspectors. The bright color ensured maximum visibility along the tracks, protecting workers from oncoming traffic. This piece features a beautiful, vintage green chain-stitched "Empire Builder" script directly on the sleeve, marking the worker's assignment to the railroad's flagship streamliner route.

Features:

Authentic Workwear Construction: Made from a heavy, dense twill wool built to withstand harsh northern winters along the tracks.

Custom Typography: Beautifully preserved, direct-stitched "Empire Builder" green embroidery on the upper sleeve.

Classic Design: Dual button-flap chest pockets, structured mid-century collar, and a smooth satin inner neck yoke for comfort.

Flat Measurements (Shirt Buttoned Up):

Chest (Pit to Pit): 21 inches (Fits up to a ~40" chest comfortably over a t-shirt)

Length (Back Collar Base to Bottom Hem): 31 inches

Sleeve Length (Shoulder Seam to Cuff): 25 inches

Shoulder Width (Seam to Seam across the back): 16.5 inches

Fits like a modern Men's size Small or a tailored, slim Men's Medium.

Fabric in great shape with no holes, tears or rips. Some mild staining in 2 places.

Provenance:

Purchased from a Minnesota estate sale alongside other rare mid-century Great Northern Railway uniform pieces from the same family archive.

A fantastic addition to any collection of railroadiana, Americana, or authentic vintage industrial clothing. Shipped with care from a smoke-free home.