Commonwealth Steel Company

[1] Over the years, its innovative steel castings products made Commonwealth an increasingly important manufacturer and supplier to the rail industry.

[9] Apprentices would be given up to four hours a week, on company time, to study mathematics, mechanical drawing and blue print reading.

[11] The Platform of the "Commonwealth Plan", read in part: "Fellowship is the Golden Rule in action, the motive power of human engineering, the life-blood of service, insuring equal opportunity for all.

The Commonwealth Plan recognizes all problems as mutual, wherein and whereby absolute confidence exists in the honesty of purpose and truth of character of each other; thus blending brotherly love in all activities and enabling each to develop his several talents.

[15] The company's success in supplying large castings and other parts to the rail industry necessitated more capacity.

[17] In 1924, the company finished the design and manufactured a one-piece underframe structure, or bed, for a steam locomotive, and delivered it to the New York Central Railroad.

[13] By 1928, "practically all locomotives and passenger cars built in the United States" were made using products manufactured at the Commonwealth plant.

It is commonly thought not to have a competitor in the production of a one-piece frame for locomotives and coaches, a feat of casting that has at once made its business unique and added immensely to the safety of railroad travel.