Women Who Transformed Railways: Pioneers, Innovators, and Leaders

For over a century, the railway industry has been shaped by men—but what about the women who revolutionized it? From pioneering engineers to fearless conductors, women have left their mark on rail travel in ways history often forgets. Today, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it’s time to remember.

Throughout history, women have played a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping the railway industry. From engineering breakthroughs and safety innovations to breaking racial and gender barriers in railway operations, their contributions have been fundamental in making rail transport safer, more efficient, and more inclusive. On International Women’s Day, it is especially important to acknowledge these trailblazers, who fought against societal norms to carve out a space for themselves in a male-dominated industry.

Happy International Women’s Day to all women in the rail industry - past, present and future 🧡//t.co/N1CRQZAn9A

— Official QTS Group (@officialQTS) March 8, 2025

Engineering and Innovation: Women Who Transformed Rail Travel

Eliza Murfey and Mary Walton: Pioneering Safety and Environmental Protections

According to R Blog, long before modern railway safety protocols existed, Eliza Murfey developed a lubrication system to prevent axle seizures, a common cause of derailments in the 19th century. Her invention significantly improved train reliability and passenger safety. Meanwhile, Mary Walton, an environmental pioneer, introduced a method to reduce air pollution from steam locomotives, ensuring that train emissions were less harmful. Additionally, her soundproofing techniques helped dampen noise pollution in urban areas.

Catherine Gibbon and Mary Riggin: Engineering Efficiency and Track Safety

The efficiency of railway track construction had a major breakthrough thanks to Catherine Gibbon, who revolutionized the way train tracks were assembled. The Franklin Institute reports that her double girder lap-joint track design drastically reduced manufacturing and installation time, making railway construction more cost-effective and durable.

At the same time, Mary Riggin focused on improving railway crossing safety. According to R Blog, after witnessing a train accident, she designed the first automated railway crossing gate in 1890, a system that prevented collisions between trains and pedestrians. Today’s railway crossings owe much to her innovation.

Olive Dennis: Bringing Comfort to Train Passengers

Not all railway innovations were mechanical; some were centered on passenger experience. According to Cornell Chronicle, Olive Wetzel Dennis, a civil engineer, was instrumental in designing train interiors to improve comfort. Thanks to her work, train travel became more passenger-friendly, with air conditioning, reclining seats, and stain-resistant upholstery. She also redesigned train windows to allow passengers to open and close them easily, a luxury that was previously unavailable. Her efforts led to significant improvements in rail travel for families, particularly mothers with small children, by introducing bassinets and bottle warmers on board, as noted by R Blog.

Breaking Gender Barriers: Women in Rail Engineering and Operations

Hettie Bussell: The UK’s First Female Railway Engineer

Henrietta (Hettie) Bussell was not just a railway engineer—she was the first woman in the UK to hold such a position. As Magnificent Women reports, starting her career in the 1930s, Bussell worked for British Rail for over four decades, specializing in trackbed surveying, tunneling, and railway infrastructure maintenance. In an era when women were often relegated to administrative roles, Bussell defied expectations by proving that technical and managerial positions in railway engineering could be successfully held by women.

Edwina Justus: Union Pacific’s First Black Female Engineer

Decades later, in 1973, Edwina Justus became Union Pacific’s first Black female locomotive engineer. She entered a field that was not only dominated by men but also deeply segregated, facing discrimination from colleagues who doubted her ability, as BlackPast notes. Despite these challenges, she excelled, demonstrating that women—especially Black women—deserved equal opportunities in railway operations. Her perseverance opened doors for future generations of minority women in the railway industry.

71,000 women have chosen railway as their profession,
a job that requires determination, endurance and dedication. And 300 of our female colleagues are currently defending Ukraine in the Armed Forces. The railway is about strength of character, and this strength is in you! pic.twitter.com/87soeFFnRq

— Ukrainian railways || Укрзалізниця (@Ukrzaliznytsia) March 8, 2025

Leah Rosenfeld: Fighting for Workplace Equality in Rail

Workplace discrimination was another major hurdle women had to overcome. Leah Rosenfeld, a station agent at Southern Pacific Railroad, applied for a promotion in 1955 only to be rejected in favor of a man with significantly less experience. The company cited California’s gender-based labor laws, which restricted women from working in positions that required lifting more than 25 pounds or working more than eight hours a day. According to R Blog, instead of accepting defeat, Rosenfeld took legal action. Her case contributed to the abolition of these discriminatory laws and paved the way for more equal employment opportunities in railway jobs.

Women’s Role in Railway Activism and Peace Movements

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

During World War I, many women activists turned their attention to railways as a tool for both war and peace. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) was formed in 1915, advocating for demilitarization and sustainable railway expansion. As Arming All Sides reports, women within this movement pushed back against the idea that railways should be used primarily for military transport, instead arguing that they should promote economic growth and international cooperation.

Arcola Philpott: A Trailblazer in Railway Operations

In 1944, Arcola Philpott became the first Black female railway conductor in the United States, hired by Los Angeles Railway. Her achievement was groundbreaking, especially during an era of racial segregation in public transportation. Her legacy inspired generations of women of color to pursue careers in railway operations.

Women in Rail Today: Progress and Challenges

India’s Historic All-Women Train Crews

While women have made significant strides in rail transport, challenges remain. However, some countries are taking action to address gender disparity. According to Times Travel, in 2018, Indian Railways marked International Women’s Day by deploying all-women train crews on multiple routes, including the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Asia’s first female train driver, Surekha Yadav, led one of these crews, which was a major milestone in gender inclusivity in railway operations.

The Ongoing Push for Gender Diversity in Rail

Organizations like Women in Rail UK and Women in Transportation continue to advocate for greater gender representation in railway professions. They focus on mentorship programs, policy changes, and targeted recruitment efforts to bring more women into engineering, operations, and leadership roles. Meanwhile, according to Arming All Sides, WILPF and Reaching Critical Will remain active in promoting sustainable and peaceful railway expansion, reinforcing the long-standing role of women in railway activism.

Sources: R Blog; The Franklin Institute; Cornell Chronicle; Magnificent Women; BlackPast; Arming All Sides; Times Travel