FM Trainmaster, long or short hood front

[jefelectric]

Looking for info on which way several roads ran their trainmasters.

Lackawanna - I have pictures showing them running both ways. On pictures where it is visible the F is on the long hood. Quite a few pictures show them pulling passenger consists short hood front. Was this standard or did they just not bother to turn them.

PRR - Since they ran most of their early road switchers long hood front I assume that they did the trainmasters as well, but have no facts to back this up. Have a few pictures but it is not evident if they are running or switching.

Reading - Don't have a clue how they ran them. Anyone know? Have no pictures.

I would appreciate any information that can be offered.

John

[David_Telesha]

A TM is a regular old road switcher unit. It didn't matter which way they ran, just like the RS1/2/3/11, GP7/9, or H15/16-44, etc....

The "F" end is designated by the rules that each loco needs to have a front end and have it marked with a little "F".

Engines that could be considered road-switchers could be run either way and the railroads did.

[jefelectric]

Thanks David,

I realize that they could run either way, however each road had a prefered method and the control stand was set up to reflect that preference. When running the other way the controls were at the engineers back.

John

[tmcc man]

I do not know how the Reading ran their TM's, but I think the PRR primarily ran their TM's long hood forward. By the way, where in central PA do you live. I live outside of Philly, about 30 mins away from Center City.

[West Coast S]

Southern Pacific turned their commute assigned trainmasters after every run, Mission Bay, near 3rd and Townsand and San Jose. They could have operated long hood forward, but this was not standard procedure. Now, on the other hand, on the rare occasions they ventured into freight service they would operate with no regard to which end led, the practice of trainmasters in freight assignments ended in the mid 60s as SP wished to preserve them for commute assignments.

Dave

[jefelectric]

Hi tmcc man, I see you venture over to the clasic trans forum on occasion also. I live in Central PA also midway between Harrisburg and Lancaster. Have you ever been to Barry's Train Shop in Elizabethtown? I live about 2 miles away.

Thanks everyone for the info. Anyone else that wants to contribute, you are welcome to join in.

The reason for the question is that I have models of FM trainmasters for all three roads and I was checking the books that I have to see which way they ran them. The more I looked the more confused I got.

John

[PBenham]

Withers publications put out a book on the Train Master, as did Morning Sun,as part of their book on F-M units in color. Both of these and an issue of X2200 (Can't recall which issue, though)had a feature on the TM. I hope this helps. Otherwise, you can look at books on the indivdual TM owners, all of which will have the "411" on which way was front on their roads TMs.[:D]

[JimValle]

Southern Pacific originally bought its Trainmasters for freight service but found out that their extra power ( 2400 HP ) and superior acceleration made them ideal for commute service along the Penninsula Route between Frisco and San Jose, California. Here they ran short hood forward to help the engineers plan their frequent station stops. On weekends they might be drafted into freight service again, especially when sugar beets extras were running strong. Then it might be two units back-to-back. The choice was: Short hood forward meant better visibility while long hood forward meant better protection for the crew in case of a grade crossing collision. You makes your choice an' you takes your chance....