And today, now we're talkin'! One of the Weary Erie's big freight hog 2-10-2's! The Berkshires could certainly outrun them but they never really replaced them, not completely anyway, those Santa Fe types still had work to do.
Flintlock76The Berkshires could certainly outrun them but they never really replaced them, not completely anyway...
These and most of the S Berkshires would be replaced in roughly the same era, though ... and that not long. Half a decade and most of them would be gone.
Overmod Half a decade and most of them would be gone.
Today's photo has an interesting follow-up. If I remember the story correctly, one of the passengers was the Honorable Glenn Cunningham (R-Kansas). Needless to say, he griped to the ICC and a rule was instituted that final runs had to be completed to their destination.
Yes, I suppose a corollary to today's photo story might be "Don't beat around the bush Burlington, tell us what you really think about this train!"
Thing looks like a slum on wheels.
To me the train looks fine: a streamlined baggage for whatever M&E there is, and a modern coach.
The unintended humor is in the caption: by what stretch of the imagination would you call the post-Menk Burlington "pro-passenger"?
If I were responsible for substantial, irreversibly-increasing passenger losses (and been frustrated in getting rid of them 'fairly' despite inadequate demand or return) I might shut sufficiently-money-losing trains down as soon as "the law" said I could, too.
When I see trains that short I think "Lionel starter set".
Same me, different spelling!
Penny, the cars and loco are a bit too long for O-27...
I remember reading an article by someone who worked onthe Denver to Billings train, but this is the first hearing about the Omaha to Billings train.
At least the Burlington bused the passengers to their destination. In 1972 the PC discontinued the train from NY to Chatham about half way thru the trip, and left the passengers and crew stranded.
Yes, my brother sent me a book in which that is mentioned. "We don't care how they get home," was how the company responded.
Today's photo isn't quite a photo but it's an interesting reminder of how long push-pull suburban trains in all their various iterations have been around.
CSSHEGEWISCHan interesting reminder of how long push-pull suburban trains in all their various iterations have been around.
Indeed. And I imagine the "push-pulls" took some getting used to by the C&NW's veteran engineers.
Even today, engineers on NJ Transit's "push-pulls" say they take some getting used to. One said operating in the push mode feels downright weird.
Just for fun, here's one that can't make up its mind just what it wants to be!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qzGcW_O2Q
Flintlock76 CSSHEGEWISCH an interesting reminder of how long push-pull suburban trains in all their various iterations have been around. Indeed. And I imagine the "push-pulls" took some getting used to by the C&NW's veteran engineers. Even today, engineers on NJ Transit's "push-pulls" say they take some getting used to. One said operating in the push mode feels downright weird. Just for fun, here's one that can't make up its mind just what it wants to be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qzGcW_O2Q
CSSHEGEWISCH an interesting reminder of how long push-pull suburban trains in all their various iterations have been around.
Strangely enough, when push-pull trains originated in the UK, a single (steam) locomotive between two cab cars was the standard arrangement, Possibly they felt it was too risky to push a larger number of passenger cars.
Go to https://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/Push%20Pull%20YTT.html
and scroll down to the second photo.
Incidentally, some British steam locomotives had vacuum actuated steam cut-off valves to remotely cut locomotive power when braking was required.
Peter
The only experience I've had with a push-pull operation had this beauty on one end:
And this spectacular beast on the other!
Strictly speaking that's a "pull-pull," but holy smoke WHAT a "pull-pull!"
If all commuter trains looked like that Cuyahoga Valley excursion people would fight to get on 'em!
You lucky lady you, having that in your "backyard!"
M636C when push-pull trains originated in the UK
Fascinating post Peter! Nothing new under the sun, eh?
It seems hard pressed to call it the "Photo" of the Day. it's a illustration for advertising purposes, and it has a model railroad like curve in it that would probably derail the cars if operated on a model pike in push mode.
Very early "push-pull" happened on Chicago's "L" lines where control trailers were common. The North Shore Line's diners were even configured as control trailers.
rcdrye Very early "push-pull" happened on Chicago's "L" lines where control trailers were common. The North Shore Line's diners were even configured as control trailers.
Why have none of you mavens observed the consist is being pushed by the C&O Train X locomotive? Complete with the portholes.
CSSHEGEWISCHAlso consider suburban operation on the Illinois Central. The original MU cars were operated in motor-trailer pairs...
Lackawanna's EMUs were also motor-trailer pairs.
Just to add to the confusion, consider LIRR's postwar MU cars. They were variously control motors, blind motors (no control cab) and control trailers.
And today's shot, some street running in Milwaukee. What a sight those two trains pulling out must have been!
Flintlock76 And today's shot, some street running in Milwaukee. What a sight those two trains pulling out must have been!
I think that is just a big grade crossing, with a major road crossing multiple tracks. There is a raised boom barrier next to the distant station clock tower.
That's 2nd St. at Clybourn, just a few blocks down Clybourn from the south side of the North Shore Line's station and only a block or so from the back side of Milwaukee Electric's station in the Public Service Building. The gates were pneumatically controlled from a tower on the east side of 2nd. This from another version of the same photo in Jim Scribbin's Hiawatha Story (Pg 73), with map checking from a couple of sources.
Today, the N&W's "Pocahontas," or what purports to be the "Pocahontas."
It's just not the same without a Class J on the head end.
Oh well, it's 1971 and Amtrak's about to take over, so it doesn't matter anymore anyway.
At least it proves N&W wasn't averse to operating dome cars.
pennytrains At least it proves N&W wasn't averse to operating dome cars.
Right you are, so the photo was a bit of an education. Now I don't have to worry about running my MTH "Powhatan Arrow" with a dome car, it's prototypical!
I don't know why I worry about that stuff anyway. Too much of a historian I guess. You don't want to watch a historic themed movie with me...
Today's shot is a good reminder that railroaders aren't all on the limiteds and fast freights roaming the high iron. We forget there was, and still are, a lot of unsung and forgotten guys out there doing the "grunt work" that keeps it all going.
Wow. Today we've got one of those rather bizarre Union Pacific U-50's.
I don't know what to think. Looks like it can't decide whether it wants to be a road diesel or a Sperry rail car. At least the head-end crew had a great view of the passing scenery!
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