Hi everyone, my question concerns double track directional running, specifically on the Great Northern.
I read a Popular Mechanics article from 1906 on double track running stating that in the U.S., only the Lake Shore, C&NW, and the GN were the only left hand running railroads. Did these railroads ever switch to right hand like the rest of the country and when? I always thought the GN was right handed.
Most double track is run 'right handed' - just like highway traffic. There are some like the C&NW that ran 'left handed'. IIRC, the DM&IR also used left handed running up in Northern Minnesota.
Many times there will be left handed running due to the use of seperated mains, and one of those mains has a steeper grade. The AT&SF Cajon pass line had some of this at one time. The joint MILW/CB&Q paired tracks south of St Paul used left handed running due to a steeper grades on the ex-MILW line.
Now, as far as the GN; all I have seen in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana is right handed running on double track. BNSF is currently adding additional 2nd main track in these areas, and both tracks will be signaled for running in either direction.
The UP still operates the Chicago area left handed as the commuter train stations are set up for left handed running. A 1906 PM artice is pretty 'stale' information(and the accuracy of Popular Mechanics/Popular Science/Mechanics Illustrated is many times suspect). My dad used to have subscriptions to all of the above, and reading them years later when cleaning out his home was amusing. The technical inacuracies and and 'dreaming' of the next big technologies was over the top.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I've heard that the Chicagoland commuter territory was run left-handed so the shed passenger shelters would catch whatever sun was available during the colder months.
Most left-hand running (dedicated direction) in the United States was a result of a second track being built with an easier grade - often on a second right-of-way physically removed from the first.
The present-day trend is to signal all tracks in both directions and provide crossovers to get faster trains around slower trains in either direction.
My own prototype has a lot of unidirectional track, run left hand as a direct result of early British influence on the railroads closest to Tokyo.
As for the magazines mentioned, I was an avid reader (and a precocious pre-schooler) during WWII. I'm still waiting for my personal, "Everybody has one," autogyro.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTTI've heard that the Chicagoland commuter territory was run left-handed so the shed passenger shelters would catch whatever sun was available during the colder months.
Seems unlikely. Much of that traffic was on the C&NW, so it would naturally be left-hand-running.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
cuyama tomikawaTT I've heard that the Chicagoland commuter territory was run left-handed so the shed passenger shelters would catch whatever sun was available during the colder months. Seems unlikely. Much of that traffic was on the C&NW, so it would naturally be left-hand-running.
tomikawaTT I've heard that the Chicagoland commuter territory was run left-handed so the shed passenger shelters would catch whatever sun was available during the colder months.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Chuck
The story I heard (which could be inaccurate) said C&NW was built left-handed because it was financed with British Capital. However, I believe the Canadian RR's were also financed largely with British Capital & were built for right-hand running. Go figure.
Another story is that the C&NW was originally built as a single track railroad with all stations on the same side. Then when it came time to add a second track, it was added on the non-station side. This put all stations on the left side for trains coming into Chicago from the suburbs in the morning. Passengers waiting for trains to take them to the city can stay in the warm station while they wait. When the passengers come home at night on the other track, they get off the train and head home. No need to hang around the station for warmth.
U.P.'s Wasatch grade is another place where left-hand running is the norm. In addition, the third track added to Sherman Hill has an easier grade than the earlier line, and is to the left of the old line. This means left-hand running there, too.
tomikawaTT Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Chuck
The egg, since it came from an animal that had not yet evolved into a chicken.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
This is from the C&NW Historical Society web site:
The left-handed operation of the C&NW set it apart from other railroads in the US. It is fairly certain that the stations along the predecessor G&CU were on the “wrong” side, and when a second track was laid into Chicago, left-handed running allowed inbound passengers to wait in the warm depot. Otherwise, the depots would have had to be rebuilt or moved. The notion that British capital forced this left-hand running does not work. In those days no investor in Europe, let alone New York, would risk money on anything out on the uncivilized prairie.
Rich
Alton Junction
Thanks, Rich!
Tom
Thank you everyone for the enlightening responses!