I have been looking for a location that the PRR and NYC exchanged cars as the rolling stock proceeded to its destination. I was thinking perhaps Southport, NY might have possibilities. I would like to model it as a PRR roundhouse location/service facility with NYC trains arriving for freight car pickups and dropoffs. I don't know if Southport would fill that bill.... Any suggestions for a location that has these elements would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob
Bob.
Check out Keystone Crossings web site. The hobos guide would give you a lot of info. http://kc.pennsyrr.com/guide/index.php
The PRR and NYC interchanged in a lot of places along the line from NY city to St Louis.and Chicago. Cleveland and Detroit were also common areas of interchange. There would not be too many places with a roundhouse that would also interchange. Common confusion for modelers is to mix service facilities with yards. Service areas could be adjacent, next to, or miles away from the nearest yard.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I would like to model it as a PRR roundhouse location/service facility with NYC trains arriving for freight car pickups and dropoffs.
------------------------
Just for fun facts..
NYC would drop their PRR interchange cars then return light to their yard..
PRR would take the NYC interchange cars to the NYC yard and then return light to PRR's Southport yard.
Both interchange crews would make the interchange runs as required.
This was called a "gravy" job and was usually held by job seniority..
I know common sense would teach that the NYC should have been able to pick up their interchange cars but,such was not permissible.
This crazy mode of operation still holds true today as far as I can tell.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Thank you all for the info...The drop off-return light was probably negotiated by the Brotherhood as payback for years of serfdom....this is great operating information....It will take twice as long to move trains but who's in a hurry? I may need to use some staging....a hidden spur or moveable casset.
The websites are just the ticket for more information...thanks for the tip!
Bob
locoi1sa Service areas could be adjacent, next to, or miles away from the nearest yard.
Service areas could be adjacent, next to, or miles away from the nearest yard.
I'm having a hard time figuring out why you'd do that though.
Or, really, even thinking of a service facility that wasn't associated with a yard.
NittanyLion locoi1sa: Service areas could be adjacent, next to, or miles away from the nearest yard. I'm having a hard time figuring out why you'd do that though. Or, really, even thinking of a service facility that wasn't associated with a yard.
locoi1sa: Service areas could be adjacent, next to, or miles away from the nearest yard.
I can think of several small yards that did not have a engine service area because they was not needed since the assigned engine(s) could run light to the main terminal for servicing..
A passenger station may have been miles from the engine service area..These locomotives would run light to the service area for servicing.Of course some railroads had passenger engine service areas near the station.This was usually by the coach yard,commissary and express buildings and back in the steam era there would be a small roundhouse
Back in the steam era coal towers could be found across the main lines..
Why?
The main terminals may have been to far apart for a steam locomotives coal to last the entire trip.
Sadly such day to day operations is seldom discuss by the "operating experts" that seems to be focus on running from point A to point B while overlooking the real operations or different types of yards and what these yards was used for.
Ralroading is not as cut and dry as many thinks and it wasn't unusual for a smaller yard not to have a engine house or service area.
The NYC and Pennsylvania operated coal trains between Southport and DeWitt. Trains headed north out of Southport travelled over the Erie to HO tower, where the P Company regained its tracks to Watkins Glen and points north. Trains joined the NYC at Himrod Jct., and proceeded to DeWitt. The trains alternated between the NYC and Pennsy every six months, if I remember right. The PRR had to equip its engines in this service with ATS so they could travel on the NYC lines. Engines were serviced at Southport and DeWitt. Water was available in Watkins Glen, and possibly Himrod and Geneva. I think Bill Caloroso's book on the Elmira Branch has more information. I hope this helps some.
Take a look at Hughart Yard in Grand Rapids, MI. I think it fits your profile.