Ein Gepäckwagenfahrer auf dem Bahnsteig am Bahnhof Helsinki. (1971)

Why is everyone laughing at him?

That location looks quite different today. See https://maps.app.goo.gl/MR561paGpRfyR49g9

The platforms were covered with a glass train shed only in 2001. Until then, they were under the open sky. At the time of the photo, there was still a baggage claim counter in the middle of the main hall inside the station. Wikipedia has a [photo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Helsingin_rautatieasema_1928.jpg/1920px-Helsingin_rautatieasema_1928.jpg). The baggage claim was move to the west wing of the station in 1979.

I’m old enough (just) to actually remember those baggage trucks. I think some of them were in use still in the 1990s. They were electric, if I remember correctly. The driver standing in the front and using those levers to drive. The so-called [blue train cars](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siniset_vaunut) had separate car type that had the conductor’s office and a large baggage compartment. The conductor would help you put your stuff there. The checked luggage could also be used as a parcel service to send stuff, you didn’t necessarily need to travel with it. The last of the blue cars were withdrawn by about 2010 and the new double-decker cars only have shelves and lockers for luggage.