Hello Histarchers.  I am undertaking some research  regarding railroad 
workers on the Central Pacific Railroad ca.  1870s-1880s.  I have plans for 
section stations where buildings  designated as bunk houses show the predominant 
size being 16 x 24 ft, with  perhaps half that number at 16 x 22 ft and 
even fewer at 18 x 20 and 18 x  22.  Other smaller and larger sizes exist, but 
there are very few of  them.   
 
Can someone suggest what number of railroad workers might be housed in such 
 building sizes?  It has been suggested that I might consider that it  
takes 6 workers to move a length of steel rail as a starting point, but if  
someone has good data on this, I would appreciate hearing.  
 
Thanks.
 
Mike Polk 
Sagebrush Consultants
Ogden, Utah