I have read somewhere that if an REA Messenger was working a railroad baggage express car,
then the car had to be furnished with a desk, chair / stool, and, toilet faciilities.
My Grandfather was an REA agent for 46 years. He told me in his early years, that he used to work
the early morning Sunday trains where the Sunday newspapers were shipped as they moved as express
shipments. Cheaper maybe? He worked these trains from various points along the mainline - Ilion to Rochester.
As an agent, over the years he was assigned to stations at Ilion, Lyons, Newark, Oswego, Canton, Massena. He spent
many of his last years at Lyons, then, retired out of Newark in 1966.
There was a great book published some time ago, maybe 12 years or so, that covered the history and operations of
the REA. It was a soft covered book, dark "REA" green cover with the red "REA" symbol. I don't recall the author.....I read
it a few times, fantastic information!