I finally got around to editing and uploading some old 8mm film I shot as a teenager back in 1973.
I heard that the B&O (by then, Chessie System) was going to run a passenger extra from Cleveland, Ohio to Washington DC for Richard M. Nixon's second inauguration on January 20th.
So, as it happens I found myself at the B&O's yard at W. 3rd. St. and saw the conductor (can't remember his first name, we always called him Fisher) and asked if there might be space for a stow-away in one of the men's lounge seats.
Well, 'ol Fisher was a bit of a grumpy sort and he kind of mumbled, "I'm going toward the head end. If you sneak on when my back is turned, I guess I won't see you." Was that a yes, I asked? "Like I said, I won't see you..."
Off to Washington I go—
One of the reasons I really wanted to get this film out to the masses was that it contained a scant few frames showing the CN sleeper "Edmundston" which is the car that Jason Shron of Rapido fame is restoring.
I know how rewarding it is to see a particular piece of railroad equipment one is familiar with. It's like a family snapshot from years past.
There's some neat stuff to see in the early Amtrak days. The NRPC was just under two years old.
It was a gloomy day and I only had a budget model camera but, for what it's worth, here 'ya go...
Regards, Ed
Ed,That's a interesting story. I watched the video twice since there is a lot of history there but,the highlights was seeing WT's RS-1s and the B&O Alco switcher. There's no need to apologize for that video seeing its 43 years old.
Thanks for sharing. .
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Although I didn't visit Washington Union Station until the late 1980s, you were then still allowed to take photos on the platforms. It is more difficult now.
The thing that I hadn't thought about was all the New Haven streamlined PS coaches in DC. Did these run through from Boston before Penn Central or was this a post merger initiative?
M636C
IIRC, there were Bos-Wash trains right after WWII - and probably earlier. PRR and NH had compatable catenary through the New York (Penn Station) connection.
Chuck (Native Noo Yawka modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Nice job, Ed. I'm a real novice on early Amtrak, and railroads of the eastern region of the country in general. I was no where near any railroads back in the 70's, other than trips into and out of Milwaukee, and what sparse freight traffic was on our home town East Troy Electric, and it's connection 5 miles east, to the SOO line. I had just started my career in construction, at the age of 24.
Where you took this film in DC, I see the platforms, trains coming and going, but no people, other than what appears to be railroad personal.
Was this area just before, or just after the main passenger boarding area?
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewiWas this area just before, or just after the main passenger boarding area? Mike.
I won't answer for Ed but,it was common not to allow passengers on the platform until the train was announced for boarding.
A example:
A musical chime would sound.
Ladies and Gentlemen your attention please! Now ready for boarding is Train 381 "The Western Flier" on track #5 through gate/door #5 for Philadelphia,Harrisburg,Pittsburgh Columbus,St.Louis. All Aboard Please!
This would be repeated several times five to ten minutes apart..
The gate/door would be open after the first announcement. Of course railfans knew these doors was never locked or there was another way to the platform-usually the employee steps.
Times was good.
Looks like it was a busy and interesting place to be. Nicely-done film and camera work.
I was curious about the flags at half-staff near the beginning of the film, and learned that it was for Harry S. Truman, who had passed away the previous month.
Wayne
M636CThe thing that I hadn't thought about was all the New Haven streamlined PS coaches in DC. Did these run through from Boston before Penn Central or was this a post merger initiative?
Those New Haven 8600s were a pretty popular, high density coach along with the PRR P70. Their purpose was to move lots of passengers in the most efficient way. Several 8600s followed GG1 #4876 into the concourse of WUT on Jan. 15, 1953 when train No. 173 ran through the bumping post and crashed into the parcel-post room below.
It was actually a design flaw on the New Haven cars that caused the run-away. The angle cock could be worked closed by the swing of the draft gear.
I recall that on the day I was in D.C. there were several special trains run from Boston and New York to bring the masses to the Inauguration ceremony. I believe estimates were 80- to 100- thousand in attendance that day.
mbinsewiWhere you took this film in DC, I see the platforms, trains coming and going, but no people, other than what appears to be railroad personal.
Mike, I tried to "keep a low profile" and stay out of the way of "working" platforms. Flying "under the radar" was the best way to not be asked to leave. Besides, I was there to see trains , I can go anywhere to find people.
doctorwayneI was curious about the flags at half-staff near the beginning of the film, and learned that it was for Harry S. Truman, who had passed away the previous month.
Thanks for that bit of information, Wayne. I was planning to research that bit of information.
As it turns out, Lyndon B. Johnson died just two days after the inauguration. Many of the military personnel stayed in Washington to make preparations for his funeral, too. The flags stayed at half-mast for another month.
Thank you, everyone, for the positive feedback! I was going to cut more of the material but decided to leave it in since it just might include a quick glimpse of something interesting.
Thanks again for all your support,
Ed
Thanks Ed, I get it. Just imagine trying to do that in today's world, during a presidential inaguration !
I made several trips to D.C. during that time period, so the images brought back memories.
Towards the end, the B&O train running with GP's up the Cuyahoga Valley brought back memories. One car still wore the B&O "Bando" blue and gray. Do you know what car that was?
Tom
Hi, Tom
I spent quite a bit of time on that Cuyahoga Valley trackage in the mid- and late 1970's.
The car retaining the B&O traditional Blue & Gray was the Tygart a 10-6 that was "pampered" by Paul Reistrup and Bill Howes, Vice President and Manager, respectively, of the B&O's passenger traffic department. Supposedly, they insisted that the car never recieve the simplified C&O style livery.
I understand the car is presently rotting away outside the B&O museum. I remember spotting the Tygart rolling through Akron on several occasions.
Thanks, Ed
Tygart is, indeed, stored outdoors at the B&O Museum, in deplorable condition.
Very nice video
mbinsewi Thanks Ed, I get it. Just imagine trying to do that in today's world, during a presidential inaguration ! Mike.
On any day. They don't take too kindly to people just standing around on the platforms at WAS these days. People like to blame security, but I blame the fact that they're too narrow to accomodate it.
gmpullmanthere were several special trains run from Boston and New York to bring the masses to the Inauguration ceremony. I believe estimates were 80- to 100- thousand in attendance that day.
Ed - My guess is most of those must've been New Yorkers. Massachusetts was the only state Nixon didn't carry. McGovern didn't even carry his own state of ND!!!