PRSL Steel MU's

[daveklepper]

The PRSL article in the summer issue did not include the 10 or so MP54's that were added to the wood-car fleet.  Their construction was like the PRR MP-53's, but the electrical and mechanical equipment was identacle to the LIRR MP-54's with the addition of trolley poles.   Anyone know what happened to them when the Glassboro electrication ended?

Sold to the Boston and Maine as steam-hauled trailers?

Transferred to the LIRR with poles removed?

Used by PRR as steam-hauled trailsers?

Use by PRR after conversion to 11000V AC MU's?

[steinmike]

Dave:

According to "By Rail to the Boardwalk" by Richard M. Gladulich (Trans-Anglo Books, 1986, ISBN: 0-87046-076-5), the 16 MP-54s were sold for scrap and cut up at the Roebling Steel Company in November, 1949.

I'm guessing that the PRR and PC might have missed those cars in the 1960's when the MP-54 fleet was getting pretty run down and the "Jersey Arrows" had not yet arrived in sufficient numbers.  As late as 1975, the MP-54's were still being used for local service between Trenton, Newark, and Penn Station, NYC.  If it wasn't too hot or humid, it was nice to sit by an open window with your arm on the sill.

Mike

[daveklepper]

Thanks for the answer and the correction as to the number of them.