In the first few years the attraction operated, on average a summer crew would have numbered about a dozen. That would have been 77 thru about 81. The last few years, they cut the number to around eight to ten guys. Only males worked full time at the attraction, because the recorded track in the capsules referred to "Junior" only. The females that worked the ride simply were brought in from other attractions to work crowd control on the wait line, so all the Juniors could be free to take people on rides during peak capacity periods. We called the gals "Ruby" as a play on Rube.
When we Juniors worked the line, we would holler at each other, calling each other "cousin" or Junior". When guests asked why all of us were named Junior, we used a line that I think Terry Sanders came up with, "we have a large family with a small imagination." At peak capacity times part time Juniors were brought in from other attractions, usually the train, FITH, and saloon crews, but sometimes other locations. My first year playing Junior was in 1979. I was actually full time at the float trip, but I went to Rube's Ride when needed, which was only about 4 times in the late fall, autumn period. I hope that answers your question. If you want more, just ask. By the way, don't really know about why Junior had the Dugan name, I don't think us guys working there thought about that issue...we were having too much fun on the park. I am like an elephant, I don't forget. Side note: did you know why the diving bell was REALLY replaced? The ride, because of the cutting edge technology and computers used there, along with the need to operate with a big work crew, made it very expensive to operate. It was cheaper at the time to retrofit the building for Lost River. However, on peak attendece days I notice they have a big crew there, too!