Railroad History Quiz Game (Come on in and play)

[Murphy Siding]

     Top 10 in order: PA.OH,IN,NY,MICH,IL,MASS,CT,Maryland.WV.  The rest in order:NJ,(Ontario),DL,RI,VI,(Quebec),Missouri,D.C.,AND KY

[KCSfan]

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, Quebec, Ontario.
"please sir, I'd like some more." "MOREEEEE!?!?!?!"

Delete Vermont and the Canadian Provinces. Add New York and Massachusets.

Mark

[arkansasrailfan]

(rasp)bllllllltttttt!!!!! TO YOU!!!!

[CShaveRR]

Well, Norris, how about Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia?  The other six would be Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

Oh--and the two provinces.

[Murphy Siding]

BUT PC did run thru there.

Well yes, it did.  But neither Quebec or Ontario is one of the 10 states with the most PC track miles.

[arkansasrailfan]

BUT PC did run thru there.

[Murphy Siding]

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, Quebec, Ontario.
"please sir, I'd like some more." "MOREEEEE!?!?!?!"

     Off the top of my head, I think you got 5 or6  of the 10. I'll look it up when I get home.  I would note though, that Quebec and Ontario are not states.

[arkansasrailfan]

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, Quebec, Ontario.
"please sir, I'd like some more." "MOREEEEE!?!?!?!"

[Murphy Siding]

     Can I cheat, and cut in line.

     I don't know the answer.  In fact, I don't know most of the answers, but it is an interesting thread.  Can I ask a broader question?  One where, with a little reasoning and guessing, a guy might get the answer?

     The PennCentral owned and/or operated track in 16 states (and 2 Canadian Provinces, and Washington , D.C.).  Kentucky had the least amount of track- 4.97 miles.  Can you name the 10 states with the most?

[arkansasrailfan]

HMMM last time I read Warren Mcgee's book was it 5125? Saw the locomotive with a break into going through Bozeman tunnel....

Right incident, close on the loco number.    It was December 4, 1939.   Train number 602 broke in two in the middle of the tunnel.  This locomotive was on the point.

July 7, 1938 at Willis, Montana this locomotive's boiler explodes killing 5 people.  Emerged from the rebuild shop 11/10/1939.

October 1937 at West End, Montana this locomotive wrecked and went into the river (upside down). 

unknown date - locomotive runs into the turntable pit. 

It was the first Challenger (cheerfully) scrapped on 10/19/1954. 

didnt the colorado midland have a cursed engine?

Hmm, don't know.  Thinking about it I think perhaps the whole railroad was cursed.

LOL, as I can recall, there was a engine that was in mishaps all the time, and I think they were all deadly.
Casey Jones's engine killed more people after his run and the engine was rebuilt.

[Texas Zepher]

All weekend with not other guesses so I'll say that J Daddy's number was off by only one digit.  It was the 5105.   J Daddy's turn to post a question.

[Texas Zepher]

HMMM last time I read Warren Mcgee's book was it 5125? Saw the locomotive with a break into going through Bozeman tunnel....

Right incident, close on the loco number.    It was December 4, 1939.   Train number 602 broke in two in the middle of the tunnel.  This locomotive was on the point.

July 7, 1938 at Willis, Montana this locomotive's boiler explodes killing 5 people.  Emerged from the rebuild shop 11/10/1939.

October 1937 at West End, Montana this locomotive wrecked and went into the river (upside down). 

unknown date - locomotive runs into the turntable pit. 

It was the first Challenger (cheerfully) scrapped on 10/19/1954. 

didnt the colorado midland have a cursed engine?

Hmm, don't know.  Thinking about it I think perhaps the whole railroad was cursed.

[arkansasrailfan]

didnt the colorado midland have a cursed engine?

[J. Daddy]

Alll rightty then ---

Going back one question about the 4-6-6-4 Challenger class locomotives.   The Northern Pacific had the second largest fleet of this class of locomotive (47).  One of these locomotives seemed to be involved in most, if not every, misshap possible for a locomotive to have.  Which Challenger locomotive did the NP crews consider to be cursed?  All that is needed is loco #, but it would be interesting for the others reading this if a few of its missadventures were listed as well.

HMMM last time I read Warren Mcgee's book was it 5125? Saw the locomotive with a break into going through Bozeman tunnel....

[Texas Zepher]

Alll rightty then ---

Going back one question about the 4-6-6-4 Challenger class locomotives.   The Northern Pacific had the second largest fleet of this class of locomotive (47).  One of these locomotives seemed to be involved in most, if not every, misshap possible for a locomotive to have.  Which Challenger locomotive did the NP crews consider to be cursed?  All that is needed is loco #, but it would be interesting for the others reading this if a few of its missadventures were listed as well.

[oltmannd]

1. What successful home built inovation was applied to the locomotive?

Pilot Wheel, leading truck, whatever one cares to call it.

What was the locomotive's actual name and who was it named for?

"Stevens" for Robert Stevens president of the C&A company that imported it from England.

3. What college was named for this fellow?

Hmmm, Stephenson College is named for the GN engineer George Stephenson.   Sooo,  I don't know.   Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology ? not likely.  Since you dropped the hint of New Jersey.  How about the Stevens Institute of Technology - Hoboken NJ.

Yes, Yes and Yes.  You're up.

[Texas Zepher]

1. What successful home built inovation was applied to the locomotive?

Pilot Wheel, leading truck, whatever one cares to call it.

What was the locomotive's actual name and who was it named for?

"Stevens" for Robert Stevens president of the C&A company that imported it from England.

3. What college was named for this fellow?

Hmmm, Stephenson College is named for the GN engineer George Stephenson.   Sooo,  I don't know.   Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology ? not likely.  Since you dropped the hint of New Jersey.  How about the Stevens Institute of Technology - Hoboken NJ.

[passengerfan]

I'll take "Famous New Jersians for $200, Alex" 

The John Bull is often cited as the first practical locomotive to run in the US.  It ran on the Camden and Amboy, basically connecting NY and Phila... sort of a very early Metroliner.   It was built from an imported kit.  The name "John Bull" was not official, but popular.  Kinda like an AEM7 being known as a "Swedish Meatball."

So, some questions:

1. What successful home built inovation was applied to the locomotive?

2. What was the locomotive's actual name and who was it named for?

3. What college was named for this fellow?

First 2 out 3 takes it!

Just off the top of my head the answer to number 1. is the Cowcatcher. I don't have a clue re 2 or 3.

Al - in - Stockton 

[oltmannd]

I'll take "Famous New Jersians for $200, Alex" 

The John Bull is often cited as the first practical locomotive to run in the US.  It ran on the Camden and Amboy, basically connecting NY and Phila... sort of a very early Metroliner.   It was built from an imported kit.  The name "John Bull" was not official, but popular.  Kinda like an AEM7 being known as a "Swedish Meatball."

So, some questions:

1. What successful home built inovation was applied to the locomotive?

2. What was the locomotive's actual name and who was it named for?

3. What college was named for this fellow?

First 2 out 3 takes it!

[Texas Zepher]

I did not know the NP Challengers came first.   The 5100 Z6s came on property in 1936.   I have no references for UP locomotives.

I believe that would make it oltmannd's turn to post a question.  He had the first two out of the three.

[J. Daddy]

Well, .... 4-6-6-4s were UP, Rio Grande and D&H.

Actually, while the Northern Pacific's Z6 class Challenger was no slouch and at least a match for the locomotives of other roads listed, the NP did develop the most advanced (biggest, most powerful, most efficient) 4-6-6-4s.  It was their Z8 class, but as your list shows they did not start it.  The fire box on the Z8 was so large I understand that they held a banquet dinner inside of it to inaugurate the class.

I never would have guessed those last two railroads... You are correct on the challenger. NP was the first to develop a larger driver articulate for high speed freight thus the Z-6 was born. The Z-5 was saddled to speeds of 35 mph. The UP was the first to receive their challengers based on the NP design, thus the UP was actually credited for the wheel arangement when in fact the NP began the development, their delay was due the larger fire box integration.

Actually the Yellowstone Z-5 had the largest firebox that hosted a banquet dinner inside on its inauguration. It was the largest locomotive everbuilt in its time before the bigboy came on board.

[Texas Zepher]

Well, .... 4-6-6-4s were UP, Rio Grande and D&H.

Actually, while the Northern Pacific's Z6 class Challenger was no slouch and at least a match for the locomotives of other roads listed, the NP did develop the most advanced (biggest, most powerful, most efficient) 4-6-6-4s.  It was their Z8 class, but as your list shows they did not start it.  The fire box on the Z8 was so large I understand that they held a banquet dinner inside of it to inaugurate the class.

[Texas Zepher]

Oh yeah.  Finishing the prior question the other two roads for the CB&Q are:

The Burlington and Missouri River

and

The Hannibal and St. Joseph (whose Missouri charter actually antedated the Aurora Branch, but it failed to organize for 4 years, so it cann't be considered the oldest continuously functioning segment of the CB&Q).  

[oltmannd]

What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora - Close enough. In fact better answer than I was thinking.  I was after the "Aurora Branch" of the Galena & Chicago Union, but by this time it had morphed into the C&A.
2) Illinois Central - No
3) Central military Tract? - YES
4) Joliet and  North Indiana - No
5) Peoria and Oquawka - YES this is the one who's title held up the consolidation for 8 years.
6) Northern Cross?  - YES

The two missing ones are harder since they aren't necessarily "connected", at least until 1869 if I am reading this reference correctly.   If this hint doesn't help anyone get the last two by tomorrow (Wed) sometime.  J. Daddy will get the win anyway since 4 out of 6 is a majority. 

Well in order to keep things moving, I am not sure of the other two only that Mr. Forbes was the man that helped acclimate the merger, I will ask an easy question.... What 3 steam locomotive wheel arrangements did the Northern Pacific help develope/standardize and were used extensively throughout the North American railroad system. What was there reasoning (core issue) for this new wheel arrangement?

WAGging again...

Prarie, Northern and Yellowstone.

Core reason:  Larger firebox to burn lousy, low heat value coal.

Prairie - 2-6-2 .....no

Northern - 4-8-4 .... yes

Yellowstone - 2-8-8-4 ..... yes

Larger fire box required the 4 wheel truck to burn rosebud coal which was a lignite type of coal... almost like pete moss... like burning durt....

care to guess at the last wheel arrangement?

Well, a 2-8-4 is a Berkshire, so that's out.  A 4-6-4 is a Hudson, so that's out.  A 2-10-4 is a Texas, so that's out. 4-6-6-4s were UP, Rio Grande and D&H.  4-4-4s are just wierd, so it's hard to say they were ever "perfected".

That pretty much covers the modern stuff with 4 wheel trailing trucks, so it's gotta be something older, maybe a two wheel trailing truck (hence the Prairie guess) in the era when they first started showing up.

How about a Mikado?

[Texas Zepher]

Well the NP had those double piloted 2-10-0s built to tackle the 6% switchback grades before the Stampede tunnel got built.   I'll guess 2-10-0.  Base reason lots of tractive effort needed on the drive wheels for the grade/load.

P.S. Wasn't the first 4-8-4, #1111 Timken, also the pioneer for rollerbearing drivers and drive rods. The free rolling capability was demonstrated by having a "house wife" [sic yes I know this is now a politically incorrect term regardless of its historically accuracy] tie a rope onto it and pull it down the track.

[J. Daddy]

What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora - Close enough. In fact better answer than I was thinking.  I was after the "Aurora Branch" of the Galena & Chicago Union, but by this time it had morphed into the C&A.
2) Illinois Central - No
3) Central military Tract? - YES
4) Joliet and  North Indiana - No
5) Peoria and Oquawka - YES this is the one who's title held up the consolidation for 8 years.
6) Northern Cross?  - YES

The two missing ones are harder since they aren't necessarily "connected", at least until 1869 if I am reading this reference correctly.   If this hint doesn't help anyone get the last two by tomorrow (Wed) sometime.  J. Daddy will get the win anyway since 4 out of 6 is a majority. 

Well in order to keep things moving, I am not sure of the other two only that Mr. Forbes was the man that helped acclimate the merger, I will ask an easy question.... What 3 steam locomotive wheel arrangements did the Northern Pacific help develope/standardize and were used extensively throughout the North American railroad system. What was there reasoning (core issue) for this new wheel arrangement?

WAGging again...

Prarie, Northern and Yellowstone.

Core reason:  Larger firebox to burn lousy, low heat value coal.

Prairie - 2-6-2 .....no

Northern - 4-8-4 .... yes

Yellowstone - 2-8-8-4 ..... yes

Larger fire box required the 4 wheel truck to burn rosebud coal which was a lignite type of coal... almost like pete moss... like burning durt....

care to guess at the last wheel arrangement?

[oltmannd]

What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora - Close enough. In fact better answer than I was thinking.  I was after the "Aurora Branch" of the Galena & Chicago Union, but by this time it had morphed into the C&A.
2) Illinois Central - No
3) Central military Tract? - YES
4) Joliet and  North Indiana - No
5) Peoria and Oquawka - YES this is the one who's title held up the consolidation for 8 years.
6) Northern Cross?  - YES

The two missing ones are harder since they aren't necessarily "connected", at least until 1869 if I am reading this reference correctly.   If this hint doesn't help anyone get the last two by tomorrow (Wed) sometime.  J. Daddy will get the win anyway since 4 out of 6 is a majority. 

Well in order to keep things moving, I am not sure of the other two only that Mr. Forbes was the man that helped acclimate the merger, I will ask an easy question.... What 3 steam locomotive wheel arrangements did the Northern Pacific help develope/standardize and were used extensively throughout the North American railroad system. What was there reasoning (core issue) for this new wheel arrangement?

WAGging again...

Prarie, Northern and Yellowstone.

Core reason:  Larger firebox to burn lousy, low heat value coal.

[J. Daddy]

What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora - Close enough. In fact better answer than I was thinking.  I was after the "Aurora Branch" of the Galena & Chicago Union, but by this time it had morphed into the C&A.
2) Illinois Central - No
3) Central military Tract? - YES
4) Joliet and  North Indiana - No
5) Peoria and Oquawka - YES this is the one who's title held up the consolidation for 8 years.
6) Northern Cross?  - YES

The two missing ones are harder since they aren't necessarily "connected", at least until 1869 if I am reading this reference correctly.   If this hint doesn't help anyone get the last two by tomorrow (Wed) sometime.  J. Daddy will get the win anyway since 4 out of 6 is a majority. 

Well in order to keep things moving, I am not sure of the other two only that Mr. Forbes was the man that helped acclimate the merger, I will ask an easy question.... What 3 steam locomotive wheel arrangements did the Northern Pacific help develope/standardize and were used extensively throughout the North American railroad system. What was there reasoning (core issue) for this new wheel arrangement?

[Texas Zepher]

What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora - Close enough. In fact better answer than I was thinking.  I was after the "Aurora Branch" of the Galena & Chicago Union, but by this time it had morphed into the C&A.
2) Illinois Central - No
3) Central military Tract? - YES
4) Joliet and  North Indiana - No
5) Peoria and Oquawka - YES this is the one who's title held up the consolidation for 8 years.
6) Northern Cross?  - YES

The two missing ones are harder since they aren't necessarily "connected", at least until 1869 if I am reading this reference correctly.   If this hint doesn't help anyone get the last two by tomorrow (Wed) sometime.  J. Daddy will get the win anyway since 4 out of 6 is a majority. 

[J. Daddy]

I'm going to award you the win.

OK, the date is 1864.  The last legal title is cleared for the final railroad of the set of six that had been operating as the CB&Q since 1856.  What are the six railroads that combined (in one way shape or form) to form the original CB&Q?

Argh man these are not easy.... lets see

1) Chicago and Aurora

2) Illinois Central

3) Central military Tract?

4) Joliet and  North Indiana

5) Peoria and Oquawka - spelling?

6) Northern Cross?