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Classic Train questions (50 years or older) Locked

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Posted by KCSfan on Friday, November 14, 2008 12:55 PM

Texas Zepher

wanswheel
Rio Grande Southern photos by William Henry Jackson
...
Silverton turntable

That is the right location (corkscrew gultch) and turn table, but that picture doesn't belong in that set with the Rio Grande Southern ones.  Different railroad.    By the way, where the one locomotive is sitting by itself, it is on a 5% grade.  That steep grade is why the locomotive had to be turned.  They found it impossible to push a train up that hill, it had to be pulled.

P.S.  I'll take either the real name of the railroad or its nick name.

D&RGW Narrow Gauge?

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Friday, November 14, 2008 4:57 PM

KCSfan
D&RGW

Nope, but now you are in the right valley.  Durango -> Silverton -> ???

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Posted by KCSfan on Friday, November 14, 2008 5:45 PM

The Silverton Railroad, The Rainbow Route. I've eliminated all the other possibilities so this must be the one. The 5% grade hint gave it away.

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Posted by wanswheel on Friday, November 14, 2008 6:37 PM

William Henry Jackson photos @ Denver Public Library photoswest.org

D&RGWP map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/1930_D%26RGW_WP.jpg

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Friday, November 14, 2008 10:23 PM

KCSfan
The Silverton Railroad, The Rainbow Route. I've eliminated all the other possibilities so this must be the one. The 5% grade hint gave it away.

Yup yup yup, It was probably too soon to drop the 5% grade hint.  

At this time there were four railroads serving Silverton.  If a model railroader really likes narrow gauge, Silverton from 1877 to 1910 is the place to consider modeling.  In 1896 the fourth railroad was built out of the town.

 
Your turn.

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Friday, November 14, 2008 10:28 PM

wanswheel

On the map notice the three railroads departing north out of Silverton.  This would have been the one farthest to the west, to Red Mountain & Ironton.

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Posted by erikem on Friday, November 14, 2008 10:34 PM

Texas Zepher
At this time there were four railroads serving Silverton.  If a model railroader really likes narrow gauge, Silverton from 1877 to 1910 is the place to consider modeling.  In 1896 the fourth railroad was built out of the town.

The Silverton Northern Railroad. 

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Posted by KCSfan on Saturday, November 15, 2008 10:18 AM

Next question should be an easy one. In 1940 three streamlined trains were put in service running between Chicago and Florida. The trainset of one of these had previously been in service on a different route. When was this trainset first put in service, what was its original route and train name?

Mark

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, November 15, 2008 11:28 AM

KCSfan

Next question should be an easy one. In 1940 three streamlined trains were put in service running between Chicago and Florida. The trainset of one of these had previously been in service on a different route. When was this trainset first put in service, what was its original route and train name?

Mark

On 12-3-1939, the Florida East Coast began operating the Henry M. Flagler in daily round trip service between Miami and Jacksonville. On 12-17-1940, the consist began operating as the Dixie Flagler, running in every third day service in conjunction with the South Wind (12-19) and the City of Miami (12-18).

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Posted by KCSfan on Saturday, November 15, 2008 12:29 PM

Deggesty

KCSfan

Next question should be an easy one. In 1940 three streamlined trains were put in service running between Chicago and Florida. The trainset of one of these had previously been in service on a different route. When was this trainset first put in service, what was its original route and train name?

Mark

On 12-3-1939, the Florida East Coast began operating the Henry M. Flagler in daily round trip service between Miami and Jacksonville. On 12-17-1940, the consist began operating as the Dixie Flagler, running in every third day service in conjunction with the South Wind (12-19) and the City of Miami (12-18).

Right on all counts Deggesty. Your turn to ask the next question. The Flagler's seven car consist was: baggage/22 seat coach - Stuart, two 60 seat coaches - Hollywood & Hobe Sound, diner - Ft. Lauderdale, 60 seat coach - Melbourne, 52 seat coach - Delray Beach, and tavern/observation - Lake Worth. The FEC's first diesel electric engine, E-3 No. 1001, headed the train.

Mark 

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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, November 15, 2008 1:48 PM

It was really easy.

According to From Zephyr to Amtrak, the coach, Delray Beach, had a hostess room (thus, only 52 seats instead of 60).

My new question: 

What configuration of sleeper was built for ACL (PRR, RF&P, and FEC also ordered cars of theis type) trains only and to what configuration were they changed eleven years later?

Johnny

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Posted by passengerfan on Sunday, November 16, 2008 7:07 AM

Deggesty

It was really easy.

According to From Zephyr to Amtrak, the coach, Delray Beach, had a hostess room (thus, only 52 seats instead of 60).

My new question: 

What configuration of sleeper was built for ACL (PRR, RF&P, and FEC also ordered cars of theis type) trains only and to what configuration were they changed eleven years later?

These were the ACL River series sleepers built by AC&F containing 14 Roomettes and 2 Drawing rooms.The cars were constructed to Plan 9006 and delivered in February March 1950 in Lot 3091. ACL cars were named ASHLEY RIVER, CAPE FEAR RIVER, COOPER RIVER, MANATEE RIVER, OGEECHEE RIVER and SUWANEE RIVER. In addition the FEC received a single car of this type built in Lot 3096 and named PANAMA, the PRR rceived two cars in Lot 3098 ANACOSTIA RIVER and HACKENSACK RIVER, and the other was RF&P car lot 3094 FAIRFAX RIVER.

The ACL owned cars were rebuilt to plan 9018 in 1961 containing 7 Double Bedrooms and 2 Drawing Rooms. They were renamed to Bird series cars at that time. The cars were rebuilt in the following order.

MANATEE RIVER 4/61 renamed RICE BIRD

SUWANEE RIVER 7/61 renamed SURF BIRD

CAPE FEAR RIVER 7/61 renamed BLUE BIRD

OGEECHEE  RIVER 7/61 renamed HUMMING BIRD

ASHLEY RIVER 9/61 renamed HONEY BIRD

COOPER RIVER 10/61 renamed JAY BIRD

Al - in - Stockton  

 

  

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, November 16, 2008 4:10 PM

passengerfan

Deggesty

It was really easy.

According to From Zephyr to Amtrak, the coach, Delray Beach, had a hostess room (thus, only 52 seats instead of 60).

My new question: 

What configuration of sleeper was built for ACL (PRR, RF&P, and FEC also ordered cars of theis type) trains only and to what configuration were they changed eleven years later?

These were the ACL River series sleepers built by AC&F containing 14 Roomettes and 2 Drawing rooms.The cars were constructed to Plan 9006 and delivered in February March 1950 in Lot 3091. ACL cars were named ASHLEY RIVER, CAPE FEAR RIVER, COOPER RIVER, MANATEE RIVER, OGEECHEE RIVER and SUWANEE RIVER. In addition the FEC received a single car of this type built in Lot 3096 and named PANAMA, the PRR rceived two cars in Lot 3098 ANACOSTIA RIVER and HACKENSACK RIVER, and the other was RF&P car lot 3094 FAIRFAX RIVER.

The ACL owned cars were rebuilt to plan 9018 in 1961 containing 7 Double Bedrooms and 2 Drawing Rooms. They were renamed to Bird series cars at that time. The cars were rebuilt in the following order.

MANATEE RIVER 4/61 renamed RICE BIRD

SUWANEE RIVER 7/61 renamed SURF BIRD

CAPE FEAR RIVER 7/61 renamed BLUE BIRD

OGEECHEE  RIVER 7/61 renamed HUMMING BIRD

ASHLEY RIVER 9/61 renamed HONEY BIRD

COOPER RIVER 10/61 renamed JAY BIRD

Al - in - Stockton  

 

  

Right you are, Al.  The roomette-drawing room sleeper was not as popular as th ACL had hoped, as more passengers wanted bedrroms rather than roomettes.

Now, what question have you to cause us to rack our brains or go to our source books?

Johnny

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Posted by passengerfan on Sunday, November 16, 2008 5:07 PM

In 1954 the CPR and CNR rebuilt Tourist Sleepers for there new trains The Canadian and The Super Continental. The CNR cars were more extensively rebuilt than there CPR counterparts. Name them?

Al - in - Stockton

PS Just back from Disneyworld yesterday. 

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Sunday, November 16, 2008 7:08 PM

 Well I know there is nothing in my brain on this subject to rack it for, so it is off to the reference materials.

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Posted by passengerfan on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:22 PM

Texas Zepher

 Well I know there is nothing in my brain on this subject to rack it for, so it is off to the reference materials.

Time for a hint. There were 31 CNR cars and 22 CPR cars. Hope that helps. All were heavyweights and rode on six wheel trucks and the CPR cars were equipped with SS panels to match the Budd car sides and retained there Clerestory Roofs. The CNR cars were more extensively rebuilt given streamlined roofs and sides with Thermopane windows to match the streamlined cars coming from P/S CC&F and NSC.

Al - in - Stockton

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:07 PM

The CP cars: Udall, Uganda, Ullswater, Ulster, Ulysses, Umber, Underwood, Unicorn, Unity, Universe, Unwin, Uplands, Upsala, Upton, Uranus, Urban, Uren, Urquhart, Usher, Utica, Utopia, Uxbridge  The CN Cars: Point Alconi, Pointe Basse, Pointe Bleue, Pointe De Bute, Point Calumet, Pointe Carre, Pointe Du Chene, Pointe Claire, Point Comfort, Point Crewe, Point Cross, Point Edward, Pointe Au Gaul, Point Gardiner, Point Grey, Point Ideal, Point Lance, Pointe Lebel, Point May, Pointe Michaud, Pointe Des Monts, Pointe Navarre, Pointe La Nim, Pointe Parent, Pointe Au Pic, Pointe Platon, Point Prim, Pointe De Roche, Pointe Sapin, Point Tupper, Point Wolfe

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Posted by passengerfan on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:44 AM

ZephyrOverland
The CP cars: Udall, Uganda, Ullswater, Ulster, Ulysses, Umber, Underwood, Unicorn, Unity, Universe, Unwin, Uplands, Upsala, Upton, Uranus, Urban, Uren, Urquhart, Usher, Utica, Utopia, Uxbridge  The CN Cars:Point Alconi, Pointe Basse, Pointe Bleue, Pointe De Bute, Point Calumet, Pointe Carre, Pointe Du Chene, Pointe Claire, Point Comfort, Point Crewe, Point Cross, Point Edward, Pointe Au Gaul, Point Gardiner, Point Grey, Point Ideal, Point Lance, Pointe Lebel, Point May, Pointe Michaud, Pointe Des Monts, Pointe Navarre, Pointe La Nim, Pointe Parent, Pointe Au Pic, Pointe Platon, Point Prim, Pointe De Roche, Pointe Sapin, Point Tupper, Point Wolfe

 

Absolutely Correcto. Your question next here is a little more information on the cars.

Canadian National inspite of being government owned was always mindful of what chief rival Canadian Pacific was up to. When the latter announced it was streamlining passenger services in 1954-55 Canadian National was quick to follow suit. The difference was Canadian National would need many more streamlined cars than the Canadian Pacific due to the fact they operated a far more extensive network of routes than the Canadian Pacific did. The Canadian Pacific purchased their new fleet of cars from one manufacturer Budd while Canadian National placed orders with Canadian Car & Foundry, National Steel Car, and Pullman Standard. All of the new Canadian National Sleeping cars were purchased from Pullman Standard with that manufacturer delivering the completed cars to CN except for Mattresses and Bedding, which were supplied, by a Canadian manufacturer. The Dining, Lounge and Sleeper combinations were delivered with only the sleeping car part of the cars in place. The Dining and Lounge facilities were added in Canada after the cars were delivered to the CN.    In late 1951 and most of 1952 the CN undertook a program of modernizing 14 Section Tourist Sleeping cars. This included installing larger Thermopane @ windows, new Air Conditioning, new interior paint and carpeting, new mattresses, and new window shades. These modernized cars were completed as follows by CN shops and assigned to the CONTINENTAL between Montreal- Toronto and Vancouver along with 14 Section unmodified cars.  

DECEMBER 1951

 

2250 POINTE PLATON

 JANUARY 1952 

2247 POINTE LA NIM

 MARCH 1952 2249 POINTE AU PIC 

2255 POINT WOLFE

 APRIL 1952  

2253 POINTE SAPIN

 JUNE 1952 2248 POINTE PARENT 

2251 POINT PRIM

 JULY 1952 

2246 POINTE NAVARRE

 AUGUST 1952 

2252 POINTE DE ROCHE

Beginning in December 1953 the Canadian National shops were busy once again rebuilding 14 Section Tourist Sleeping cars into streamlined 14-Section Tourist Sleeping cars. These cars were being rebuilt in anticipation of the new cars from Pullman Standard for the SUPER CONTINENTAL. The Cars were completed as follows. 

DECEMBER 1953 

2242 POINTE LEBEL

 FEBRUARY 1954 

2235 POINT CROSS

 MARCH 1954 

2233 POINT COMFORT

 MAY 1954 

2227 POINTE BLEUE

 JUNE 1954 

2230 POINT CARRE

 JULY 1954 2229 POINTE CALUMET 

2231 POINTE DUCHENE

 SEPTEMBER 1954 

2232 POINT CLAIRE

 OCTOBER 1954 

2234 POINT CREWE

 

NOVEMBER 1954

 

2226 POINTE BASSE

 DECEMBER 1954 

2241 POINTE LANCE

 The SUPER CONTINENTAL began service in April 1955 using the 11 streamlined 14 Section Tourist Sleeping cars and the 9 modernized cars of this type from the CONTINENTAL. By early 1956 the CN was aware that additional streamlined 14 Section tourist sleeping cars were needed for the SUPER CONTINENTAL. This would return the modernized 14 Section tourist sleeping cars to the CONTINENTAL.The CN streamlined 11 additional heavyweight 14-Section tourist sleeping cars as follows for assignment to the SUPER CONTINENTAL. This gave the CN 22 streamlined 14-Section Tourist Sleeping cars and 9 modernized 14 Section Tourist Sleeping cars. 

  FEBRUARY 1956 

2228 POINTE DE BUTE

 MARCH 1956 

2237 POINTE AU GAUL

 APRIL 1956 

2243 POINT MAY

 JUNE 1956 

2244 POINTE MICHAUDE

 MARCH 1957 

2245 POINTE DES MONTS

 APRIL 1957 2238 POINT GARDINER 

2239 POINT GREY

 MAY 1957 2240 POINT IDEAL 

2254 POINT TUPPER

 JUNE 1957 2225 POINT ACONI 

2236 POINT EDWARD

 

Besides the above cars the CPR Angus shops were busy remodeling twenty-two 14 Section Tourist Sleeping cars for assignment to the CANADIAN. The heavyweight tourist cars were refurbished and repainted inside. The exteriors of the cars were fitted with fluted stainless steel panels to match the exteriors of the lightweight stream-lined Budd built cars. The CPR "U" series tourist sleeping cars lasted until 1965 in the consists of the CANADIAN before being withdrawn. They were easily spotted in the trains as the clerestory roofs of theses cars were higher than the Budd cars. The CANADIANS carried three per consist and they were found forward in the train just behind the Budd built Baggage Crew Dormitory car and ahead of the coach section of the CANADIAN.

14 SECTION TOURIST SLEEPING CARS Rebuilt by CPR Angus shops between October 1954 and April 1955 (Rebuilt for and assigned to CANADIAN) UDALL UGANDA ULLSWATER ULSTER ULYSSES UMBER UNDERWOOD UNICORN UNITY UNIVERSE UNWIN UPLANDS UPSALA UPTON URANUS URBAN UREN URQUHART USHER UTICA UTOPIA 

UXBRIDGE

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 12:45 PM

Next question:

We all know about the Union Pacific City trains.  Give me at least 10 train names that began with "City of" that the Union Pacific was NOT involved in.

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 1:42 PM

ZephyrOverland
Give me at least 10 train names that began with "City of" that the Union Pacific was NOT involved in.

Well, of course there was the City of New Orleans.

Then Wabash had the City of Kansas City (I always thought was a fairly stupid name).

City of Milwalkee 400 - CNW.

That's all I know off the top of my head but a little research reviels -
City of Miami - IC/ACL/CoG/FEC
City of Decatur - ITR
City of Cleveland - NKP
City of Chicago - NKP

That still leaves at least three.  Hmmmm.

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Posted by passengerfan on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 1:53 PM

City of Memphis,City of Mexico, City of New Orleans,City of Miami, those come immediatly to mind will have to do some research for the others.

Al - in - Stockton 

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 2:01 PM

passengerfan
City of Memphis

Which railroad was that?  Also the IC?

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Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 3:00 PM

Texas Zepher

passengerfan
City of Memphis

Which railroad was that?  Also the IC?

The Cityof Memphis was NC&StL's train that made a daily round trip from Memphis to Nashville and back. By 1955 it had lost the name and was coach only, but still ran.

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:44 PM

Good response....so far we got:

City of Chicago - NKP - Buffalo-Chicago

City of Cleveland - NKP - Chicago-Buffalo

City of Decatur - Illinois Terminal - St. Louis-Decatur

City of Kansas City - Wabash - St. Louis-Kansas City

City of Memphis - NCStL - Nashville-Memphis

City of Mexico - MP/TP/NdeM - St. Louis-Mexico City

City of Miami - IC/CoG/ACL/FEC - Chicago-Miami

City of Milwaukee "400" - CNW - Chicago-Milwaukee

City of New Orelans - IC - Chicago/St. Louis/Louisville-New Orleans

I have two more possibilities - what are they?

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:17 AM

 Well I can't find anymore unless I go to England and find the City of Carlisle and the City of York.

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:51 AM

Texas Zepher

 Well I can't find anymore unless I go to England and find the City of Carlisle and the City of York.

 

 

Nope...I should had specified domestic.  Still two to go.

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:33 AM

Here's a duplication:

City of Decatur - Decatur-Chicago on N&W, this used to be the St. Louis-Chicago "Blue Bird".

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Thursday, November 20, 2008 10:56 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Here's a duplication:

City of Decatur - Decatur-Chicago on N&W, this used to be the St. Louis-Chicago "Blue Bird".

 

That's right Thumbs Up - one more to go.

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:54 PM

ZephyrOverland

CSSHEGEWISCH

Here's a duplication:

City of Decatur - Decatur-Chicago on N&W, this used to be the St. Louis-Chicago "Blue Bird".

 

That's right Thumbs Up - one more to go.

Should the N&W City of Decatur be included in the total count (50 years and older)? This train was created less than forty years ago. I rode the Blue Bird in the spring of '69, on the first day that it was operated directly from Union Station to the Merchants Terminal Bridge; I was disappointed that the route via Delmar Boulevard was abandoned for the St. Louis-Chicago trains. Also, the train had come down sadly--coaches only until Decatur, where a diner-lounge was added.

The only other City that I can think of right now was a stern-wheel ferry boat, the City of Baton Rouge, which, with the Louisiana, plied the Mississippi between Baton Rouge and Port Allen.

Would you count the St. Louis section of the City of New Orleans?

Johnny

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Friday, November 21, 2008 9:34 AM

Deggesty

ZephyrOverland

CSSHEGEWISCH

Here's a duplication:

City of Decatur - Decatur-Chicago on N&W, this used to be the St. Louis-Chicago "Blue Bird".

 

That's right Thumbs Up - one more to go.

Should the N&W City of Decatur be included in the total count (50 years and older)? This train was created less than forty years ago.

 

Technically, you are correct, but I would consider any passenger train that ran before the creation of Amtrak in the "Classic Train" category.   To me, being involved in these questions is an exchange of information and knowledge - and in my opinion, there is a strong focus in the immediate prewar to the postwar streamlined era to the determent to the years leading to Amtrak and the decades before the great depression.  That in itself is not bad, but there is a wealth of knowledge and information covering the pre and post streamline era that exists which, I think, needs to be brought to light.

Going back to the NW City of Decatur, I'm still going to keep it in the list and I must admit the final entry I'm looking for is in the same era.  I'll give this another 24 hours at which Ill give the answer to the final entry. 

As for the St. Louis section of the City of New Orleans - it's still the City of New Orleans, which was mentioned in a previous post.

 

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