The term "platelayer" also derives from this origin. John was a platelayer on the New Zealand Railways. His father later worked as a platelayer for the national rail company SNCF. His father, John Scullin had been a miner and later a platelayer on the railways. A platelayer was killed and several passengers were injured. Adjoining the house was accommodation for other staff&colon; a ganger and platelayer. Just five minutes earlier a platelayer had walked past the spot and seen nothing amiss.