Railroad History Quiz Game (Come on in and play)

NSlover92 wrote:

Hey, I have this game. Here are the rules. I will start I will ask a question about Railroad history (Merger dates, signifigant dates) the person that answers it correctly asks the next question. No looking online for answer you must know the answer. Play fair.  Have some fun and learn. What year did the PRR and NYC merge to form another railroad. And What was the FORMAL name of this company. Mike

 

NSlover92 wrote:

Hey, I have this game. Here are the rules. I will start I will ask a question about Railroad history (Merger dates, signifigant dates) the person that answers it correctly asks the next question. No looking online for answer you must know the answer. Play fair.  Have some fun and learn. What year did the PRR and NYC merge to form another railroad. And What was the FORMAL name of this company. Mike

The same year that I was born - 1968.

The formal name was "Almagamated Association of Morons, Local 6&7/8" - which was immediately revised to Penn Central.

Name all the railroads that DIDN'T initially join Amtrak when it started in 1971.

Originally Pennsylvania-New York Central Transportation Company.  Al's right--2/1/68.

Any railroad that didn't have passenger service in 1971 (e.g., KCS, Frisco), didn't have to join Amtrak.  Those that did have passenger service and didn't join were Rio Grande, Southern (and subsidiaries), and Rock Island.  I'm not sure about the status of railroads such as the Georgia Railroad, which ran its mixed trains into the Amtrak era.

Originally Pennsylvania-New York Central Transportation Company.  Al's right--2/1/68.

Any railroad that didn't have passenger service in 1971 (e.g., KCS, Frisco), didn't have to join Amtrak.  Those that did have passenger service and didn't join were Rio Grande, Southern (and subsidiaries), and Rock Island.  I'm not sure about the status of railroads such as the Georgia Railroad, which ran its mixed trains into the Amtrak era.

CShaveRR is correct re Amtrak IMHO. 

I'm sorry--I was supposed to ask the next question!

In Chicago, there's a police district known as the Grand Crossing District.  How do railroads tie in with this?

bnsfkline wrote:

It was actually Pennsylvania Central Railway Co.

The offical name was Pennsylvania-New York Central Transportation Company. Penn Central For short. Good answers everyone. Mike

CShaveRR wrote:

I'm sorry--I was supposed to ask the next question! In Chicago, there's a police district known as the Grand Crossing District.  How do railroads tie in with this?

K, let me wing this. This is probably wrong just guessing. Is it the district around the Grand Central Station? Mike 

Sorry.  Staying in Chicago. 

What was the first eastern railroad to enter Chicago, also which Chicago road did it join with to get into downtown?

How about the Michigan Central, which hooked up with the Illinois Central?

ed

Ed, I searched the Forum using keywords "Chicago" and "1852" for the answer.  My guess for the two railroads would have been wrong, but you're on the money!

Your question, sir!

Thanks for the handoff Carl...I am a bit surprized I got it.

Here goes...

Illinois Central's northern most point of freight service.

ed

MP173 wrote:

Thanks for the handoff Carl...I am a bit surprized I got it. Here goes... Illinois Central's northern most point of freight service. ed

No idea, just a guess:  Waterloo, IA? 

MP173 wrote:

Thanks for the handoff Carl...I am a bit surprized I got it. Here goes... Illinois Central's northern most point of freight service. ed

 Albert Lea, MN

ding, ding ding ding ding, we have a winner, in Albert Lea,

You are up.

ed

MP173 wrote:

ding, ding ding ding ding, we have a winner, in Albert Lea, You are up.   ed

 How and when did the Milwaukee Road originally enter Davenport, IA?

deepspire wrote:

MP173 wrote: ding, ding ding ding ding, we have a winner, in Albert Lea, You are up.   ed    How and when did the Milwaukee Road originally enter Davenport, IA?

Was it the "DRI" line, Davenport & Rock Island??

wjstix wrote:

deepspire wrote:  MP173 wrote: ding, ding ding ding ding, we have a winner, in Albert Lea, You are up.   ed    How and when did the Milwaukee Road originally enter Davenport, IA? Was it the "DRI" line, Davenport & Rock Island??

Hint: It was nearly 30 years before the DRI Line. 

This is just a guess but was it by way of the Rock Island which built the first bridge across the Mississippi River at Davenport in 1856?

Mark

KCSfan wrote:

This is just a guess but was it by way of the Rock Island which built the first bridge across the Mississippi River at Davenport in 1856? Mark

Maybe my question was a little too obscure.  I'll go ahead and answer it and ask a different question.  The Milwaukee purchased the Davenport & Northwesternin the 1870's and operated as a subsidiary until being completely absorbed later.  The only part of this line remaining runs from downtown Davenport, where it is in use by IC&E to East Davenport, turning north to Eldridge where it ends. The first line was built from Davenport to DeWitt in 1870. In 1871 another line was built from Eldrige to the Northwest, ultimately ending at Jackson Jct. on the now Sheldon line.

 The CM&StP did reach East Moline in 1866, however.  The DRI Line from East Davenport to Clinton wasn't completed until 1900. The Crescent Bridge connecting RI to Davenport wasn't completed until 1899.

My alternate question was going to be: "How did the Milwaukee originally enter St. Paul?"  But then I thought that might not be too different from the other question on the obscurity scale.  (The answer to that one was: via Madison, Prairie du Chien, Marquette, Cresco, Austin..)

So I'll ask another question.

 Um...  Fun question:  Remember "Little House on the Prairie"?   Charles Ingalls was portrayed as a farmer, when he was in reality a railroad builder. 

What railroad employed him, and which line did he work?

Murphy Siding wrote:

Chicago, Milwaukee & Omaha (The Omaha Road)?

Nope!  Hint: The line he surveyed/helped build has been the subject of recent topics here.

The CNW "Alco line" across southern Minnesota, now a part of the DM&E / Mayo controversy?? I'd have to dig out my "Chicago & NorthWestern in Minnesota" book at home to remember which CNW/CStPM&O predescesor built the line though....only one I can think of now is the Winona and St.Peter.

wjstix wrote:

The CNW "Alco line" across southern Minnesota, now a part of the DM&E / Mayo controversy?? I'd have to dig out my "Chicago & NorthWestern in Minnesota" book at home to remember which CNW/CStPM&O predescesor built the line though....only one I can think of now is the Winona and St.Peter.

Ding!  Yep, the very DM&E line.  He began working for the C&NW when they started expanding westward from MN in 1879.  He spent the majority of his time building/working the stretch between DeSmet, SD, where his family lived at this time, and the end of track at Pierre.  You're up!

Since Stix didn't post a question I'll take the liberty of asking one in his place.

What's the longest railroad tunnel east of the Mississippi, what's its length and when was it built?

I guess I actually asked 3 questions.

Mark

Other than subway tunnels (and stopping at the Atlantic Seaboard) it would be the Hoosac, 4.75 miles, constructed 1851-75 with a few pauses.

RWM

I guess I should contribute another?  Let's try this:

Every school boy in my day knew where the two halves of the first transcontinental railroad met.  What's not so well known is where and when the second sets of rails building from east to west, and west to east, came to a joint.  Name the location, the date, and the railroad(s) involved.