Verse 4, line 3: I would favor "pallet" rather than "pilot," a pallet being a makeshift bed, usually made of folded blankets. I'm not real familiar with old railroading procedures, but I'd guess the fireman had to report for work much earlier than the engineer did, to stoke up the fire and build up a head of steam before the scheduled departure time. I suppose after the fire was built, he might even have time for a nap.

Verse 7, line 4: It sounds more like "four" boxcars to me.