Brakeman Jack Foster is the hero of the story. A happily married father of two, his lack of caution while following his dangerous calling is a constant source of worry to his wife and to his close friend conductor Jim Stevens. Jim trying to point out the risks Jack is continually running tells him stories about what leads to a wreck, how the brakeman lost his leg, another man an eye, and how a third man was knocked from the roof of a boxcar when making a coupling. Lesson learned Jack becomes a model of caution and efficiency.