Pennsylvania Red Arrow

[Anonymous]

The Red Arrow was originally a New York to Detroit train with through cars from Washington. During WWII, the Washington cars operated as a separate section all the way to Detroit. In the 1950s (I have a December 1956 Official Guide) the Red Arrow became a Philadelphia to Detroit train with through sleepers from Washington (via the Liberty Limited) and New York (General westbound, New York section of the Liberty Limited eastbound). Eastbound, it was combined with the Philadelphia Night Express from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Eventually it was consolidated with other trains east of Pittsburgh (General, Cincinnati Limited). Then in July 1959, it was cut back to a Crestline to Toledo train with a through sleeper from the General. This service ended August 15, 1960.

[Anonymous]

Yes, Zephyroverland the Red Arrow was quite a train in its heyday,lot more than I could image in those days. I really never went inside The old Fort Street Station and get more information about it,when as a teenager I rode my bike to see it sitting outside ready to depart and I cannot remember the departure time either. But, all I remember it was a very beautiful train. Yes, I remember the NYC Detroiter-all pullman train to New York City. It usually had a A+B EMD E-7's. I don't think they ever used PA's on the headend,but The Woverine used PA's. They used the route through Canada and they used the tunnel under the Detroit River to get to the Canadian side too. I believed they used the electrics to haul them thorough the tunnel diesels and all. Thank you very much for all the information about this famous train(The Red Arrow).

[ZephyrOverland]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ldolby

ZephyrOverland,thanks for the information about the PRR Red Arrow. So what you are saying it ran beyond Pittsburg. Or some of its cars were put on another PRR train and ran some to New York and others were sent to Washington. Do you remember what diesel locomotives were used on the Red Arrow,E-Units or F-Units and what configeration did they use?

Yes, the Red Arrow was a through Detroit-New York/Washington train. I believe in the mid-1950's the Arrow was merged with another train between New York and Pittsburgh. The specifics I don't have while I write this but if I come across it Ill post as well. Also, the Harrisburg-Washington portion was occasionally combined with other trains, which was a common practice for that portion of the route.

The Arrow had compeition in the form of the Detroiter on the New York Central and the Ambassador of the Baltimore and Ohio.

[Anonymous]

Attaboy, thanks you were very helpful about the Red Arrow. When I saw that train sitting at old Fort Street in Detroit,MH I was a teenager during the late 1940's and early 1950's. I did not pay too much attention what type of passenger locomotive it was using. You are probably right about A+A configeration and I notice it was pretty late in the afternoon for it to depart and may have been late Fall too,which would make it a little dark at that time. I appreciate very much you taken time to send all this good information about this famous PRR passenger train.

[Attaboy]

Idolby, these links should help provide some info:

http://www.rrmuseumpa.org/about/roster/e7.htm

http://www.geocities.com/orvillei/prr58.html

Based one the Railroad Museum of PA site the the engine configuration was apparently A+A. The other site lists some consist info but not a lot of detail.

[Anonymous]

ZephyrOverland,thanks for the information about the PRR Red Arrow. So what you are saying it ran beyond Pittsburg. Or some of its cars were put on another PRR train and ran some to New York and others were sent to Washington. Do you remember what diesel locomotives were used on the Red Arrow,E-Units or F-Units and what configeration did they use?

[ZephyrOverland]

The Red Arrow was discontinued on July 26, 1959. The train carried through cars to Detroit from New York and Washington. During WWII separate New York and Washington sections were operated. The PRR ran at least two additional pairs of Pittsburgh-Detroit trains but they disappeared in the mid-1950's as a prelude to the discontinuance of the Red Arrow.

[Anonymous]

I am glad someone remembered the The Pennsy Red Arrow. Can you guys tell me what was the final destination of this train? What was the consist? Was it pulled by two E-Units and what configration A+A or A+B Units. I remembered that it departed from Detriot's Fort Street Station and I never picked up a time table to get all this information. Just for old sake I be interested in someone can pass on this information. I really enjoyed looking at that train when I was a young teenager during that era. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't show up in the June 1961 Official Guide either; in fact, Detroit is listed as freight-only for the Pennsy.

[081552]

When was the Red Arrow discontinued? I have a 1959 Pennsylvania timetable that shows the train and it's gone in the 1967 Official Guide.

Thanks