Santa Fe established Navajo rail replacement gangs every spring, and cut them off in the fall. This was a source of good relations between the Navajo Nation and the railroad until the BNSF merger. Railroad wages were appreciated on the reservation. The railroad gave them a week off and a ride back to Winslow or Gallup each month, and then picked them up and transported them to the work location. They were excellent at laying rail.
Most spoke English but would not do so in the presence of non-Navajo railroad employees. We supervisors talked with the Navajo in charge -- we called him the chief, but I am not entirely certain what was his official standing within the Navajo Nation -- and he would communicate with the workers. Over a span of 22 years, a couple of them spoke English to me, but only small talk, such as "It will be good when the afternoon rainstorm season starts." "Yes, I look forward to it."
The Santa Fe Navajo steel gangs were legendary for their excellent work.
