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Today in Railroad history.....last updated ..... March 22nd...on page 19..

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, February 9, 2006 8:43 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mhurley87f

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by mhurley87f

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

British railroads were "nationalized" in 1940


Nationalisation, as in becoming owned by the State, occurred on 1st. January, 1948, so the date here, presumably, is when the then publicly owned Railways were put under State control for the duration of WW2.

I must admit, I'd have thought it would have happened rather earlier, even as soon as September / Octpber, 1939.

Martin


That is what I would have thought too, about Sept. 1939. Perhaps, like America did in WW I, the railroads tried to keep up, and the government stepped in when it felt the system wasn't working well enough?


MS

Please don't think there were any suggestions that the Railway Companies didn't, or wouldn't, co-operate with the Govt or the War Office, rather everyone understood and appreciated the very real savings would flow from working together, eg pooling the wagon fleet (much of which was owned by concerns other than the Railway Companies - Colliery Cos., Coal Merchants, Steel Cos. etc., directing better quality loco coal to Depots / duties that demanded the best, rationing new rails (whenever available) to the most critical projects (heavily bombed areas) and so on.

The ability to willingly co-operate and co-ordinate activities certainly paid huge dividend in the way the railways were able to cope with dispersing evacuees following Dunkirk, later on moving recently landed GIs to holding areas, moving war materiel to and from Strategic Stores, and just generally getting on with the job in the most extenuating of circumstances.

Regards,

Martin




Martin: I've read a lot of WW i and WW II history. There was never a doubt that all of Britain pulled together to win. From an American perspective, our railroads(and industry in general) tend to have a love-hate relationship with the government.. It appears, to me at least, that the British govenment and railroads have a different type relationship.



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Posted by mhurley87f on Thursday, February 9, 2006 7:32 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by mhurley87f

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

British railroads were "nationalized" in 1940


Nationalisation, as in becoming owned by the State, occurred on 1st. January, 1948, so the date here, presumably, is when the then publicly owned Railways were put under State control for the duration of WW2.

I must admit, I'd have thought it would have happened rather earlier, even as soon as September / Octpber, 1939.

Martin


That is what I would have thought too, about Sept. 1939. Perhaps, like America did in WW I, the railroads tried to keep up, and the government stepped in when it felt the system wasn't working well enough?


MS

Please don't think there were any suggestions that the Railway Companies didn't, or wouldn't, co-operate with the Govt or the War Office, rather everyone understood and appreciated the very real savings would flow from working together, eg pooling the wagon fleet (much of which was owned by concerns other than the Railway Companies - Colliery Cos., Coal Merchants, Steel Cos. etc., directing better quality loco coal to Depots / duties that demanded the best, rationing new rails (whenever available) to the most critical projects (heavily bombed areas) and so on.

The ability to willingly co-operate and co-ordinate activities certainly paid huge dividend in the way the railways were able to cope with dispersing evacuees following Dunkirk, later on moving recently landed GIs to holding areas, moving war materiel to and from Strategic Stores, and just generally getting on with the job in the most extenuating of circumstances.

Regards,

Martin






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Posted by Murphy Siding on Thursday, February 9, 2006 6:41 AM

Today, Feb. 9th, in railroad history.......



1875: Boston & Maine Railroad completes construction of Hoosac Tunnel in Massachusettes.

Does anybody know if this tunnel is still used? I seem to recall that this line was moth-balled? Who owns B&M now? CN or CP?

Anybody else?





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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 7:43 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mhurley87f

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

British railroads were "nationalized" in 1940


Nationalisation, as in becoming owned by the State, occurred on 1st. January, 1948, so the date here, presumably, is when the then publicly owned Railways were put under State control for the duration of WW2.

I must admit, I'd have thought it would have happened rather earlier, even as soon as September / Octpber, 1939.

Martin


That is what I would have thought too, about Sept. 1939. Perhaps, like America did in WW I, the railroads tried to keep up, and the government stepped in when it felt the system wasn't working well enough?






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Posted by mhurley87f on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 7:12 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

British railroads were "nationalized" in 1940


Nationalisation, as in becoming owned by the State, occurred on 1st. January, 1948, so the date here, presumably, is when the then publicly owned Railways were put under State control for the duration of WW2.

I must admit, I'd have thought it would have happened rather earlier, even as soon as September / Octpber, 1939.

Martin
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 6:37 AM

Today, Feb. 8th, in railroad history......


1986: Combined VIA trains 4-6 collide with CN freight near Hinton, Alberta, killing 23.

Anybody else?




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Posted by locomutt on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 5:59 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

Today, Feb. 7th, in railroad history.....



My computer was having a cow this morning, and wouldn't let me online[:(!]

1915: First wireless message sent from a moving train to a station. .....---.--..-.--...--....---< roughly translated: "Can you hear me now?"

locomutt: British Railroads were nationalized in 1940? February 6th, or 7th? Are you meaning nationalized, as in, being taken over by the government for the duration of the war, or taken over for good? I thought the British government took over the railways for good(so to speak) around 1948?


Can only answer that question by saying that,that is what my Arcamax
"History and Quotes" told me this morning.

Hope your computer had a "laptop",and we are awaiting what it was named.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 5:58 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74

QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

1815: First American railroad charter obtained by inventor John Stevens, to build a railroad from Trenton to New Brunswick, N.J. The railroad was never built. Perhaps, he was waiting for someone to invent the locomotive first?[;)]




.


Could have used the four legged type.[;)] What were they? oh, yea 2-0-2's.[:D]


Wouldn't they be 0-4-0's? No pilot and no trailing truck.


Since there was no connecting side rods,and all 4 were powered, wouldn't they be 0-B-0 ?[:)]

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 12:19 PM

Today, Feb. 7th, in railroad history.....



My computer was having a cow this morning, and wouldn't let me online[:(!]

1915: First wireless message sent from a moving train to a station. .....---.--..-.--...--....---< roughly translated: "Can you hear me now?"

locomutt: British Railroads were nationalized in 1940? February 6th, or 7th? Are you meaning nationalized, as in, being taken over by the government for the duration of the war, or taken over for good? I thought the British government took over the railways for good(so to speak) around 1948?

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Posted by locomutt on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 10:19 AM
British railroads were "nationalized" in 1940

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by dmoore74 on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 8:13 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

1815: First American railroad charter obtained by inventor John Stevens, to build a railroad from Trenton to New Brunswick, N.J. The railroad was never built. Perhaps, he was waiting for someone to invent the locomotive first?[;)]




.


Could have used the four legged type.[;)] What were they? oh, yea 2-0-2's.[:D]


Wouldn't they be 0-4-0's? No pilot and no trailing truck.
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, February 6, 2006 10:01 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas

It was mentioned that the Sunset was completed Feb 5,1883. Was that the second transcon or did the NP get that designation?

Feb. 5, 1883 seemed to be the date the Sunset Route, from New Oleans to California was completed. Sp actually linked up to California some time in 1881. NP drove their golden spike Sept. 8, 1883, so it appears that SP beat NP for second place.

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Posted by GN-Rick on Monday, February 6, 2006 9:46 PM
1881. The first St. Paul Minneapolis & Manitoba train reaches Fargo, North Dakota.
Yes, Murphy, my recipients know my proclivities.[swg]
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Posted by chad thomas on Monday, February 6, 2006 6:13 PM
It was mentioned that the Sunset was completed Feb 5,1883. Was that the second transcon or did the NP get that designation?
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Posted by chad thomas on Monday, February 6, 2006 6:12 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

1815: First American railroad charter obtained by inventor John Stevens, to build a railroad from Trenton to New Brunswick, N.J. The railroad was never built. Perhaps, he was waiting for someone to invent the locomotive first?[;)]




.


Could have used the four legged type.[;)] What were they? oh, yea 2-0-2's.[:D]
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, February 6, 2006 6:03 PM
1815: First American railroad charter obtained by inventor John Stevens, to build a railroad from Trenton to New Brunswick, N.J. The railroad was never built. Perhaps, he was waiting for someone to invent the locomotive first?[;)]




.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, February 6, 2006 6:44 AM

Today, Feb. 6th, in railroad history.....



1891: First major train robbery by the Dalton Gang, on Southern Pacific train #17

Anybody else?

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, February 5, 2006 10:18 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by GN-Rick

Murphy, the picture I use is a scan of a Leanin' Tree Christmas card that I believe
is a new issue this past Holiday season. It depicts GN class R-1 2-8-8-2 2043
eastbound on the Stevens Pass line just east of Index, Washington. In fact,
in addition to sending cards to friends and relatives, I bought the box of cards
because I couldn't resist the picture.[:D]

And I bet everybody on your Christmas card list can tell you're a railfan.[:D]
4:00 A.M.?[zzz]

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Posted by nanaimo73 on Sunday, February 5, 2006 9:17 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

Today, Feb. 5th, in railroad history........



1836: 4-4-0 "American" type locomotive patented by Henry R. Campbell

Anybody else?

Feb 5, 1883- Southern Pacific Railroad completes "Sunset Route"
http://www.historychannel.com/tdih/tdih.jsp?category=oldwest&month=10272954&day=10272970

Feb 5, 2001- Progressive Rail begins operating former MN&S High Line south of Minneapolis.
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, February 5, 2006 8:51 AM

Today, Feb. 5th, in railroad history........



1836: 4-4-0 "American" type locomotive patented by Henry R. Campbell

Anybody else?

Edited, due to poor proofreading[B)]

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Posted by GN-Rick on Sunday, February 5, 2006 3:59 AM
Murphy, the picture I use is a scan of a Leanin' Tree Christmas card that I believe
is a new issue this past Holiday season. It depicts GN class R-1 2-8-8-2 2043
eastbound on the Stevens Pass line just east of Index, Washington. In fact,
in addition to sending cards to friends and relatives, I bought the box of cards
because I couldn't resist the picture.[:D]
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Saturday, February 4, 2006 10:14 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by GN-Rick

1970. GN issues its final public timetable.

Rick: I like your picture, what can you tell me about it?

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Posted by nanaimo73 on Saturday, February 4, 2006 11:14 AM
Feb 4, 1995- New England Central Railroad takes over former Central Vermont.
http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/NECR.htm
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoList.aspx?id=NECR

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Saturday, February 4, 2006 10:34 AM

Today, Feb 4th, in railroad history....



1887: Interstate Commerce Commision established.

1941: Santa Fe 100, first revenue FT diesel, placed in service. (And the railroad world was never the same again!)

1961: Lehigh Valley goes freight only with last run of Buffalo -Newark Maple Leaf.

1963: Chesapeake & Ohio acquires control of Baltimore & Ohio.

1966: Lucius Beebe passed away.

Anybody else have anything to add?

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Posted by GN-Rick on Saturday, February 4, 2006 12:43 AM
1970. GN issues its final public timetable.
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, February 3, 2006 8:58 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

Today, Feb. 3rd, in railroad history....



1973: Providence & Worchester resumes indepedant operation. The source doesn't say on whom it was dependant. Was P&W run by one of the Canadian roads?

Anybody else?

No "h", it's Worcester. The Providence & Worcester had been leased by the New Haven and the lease was assumed by Penn Central. When the bankrupt Penn Central defaulted on lease payments the major stockholders made plans for independent operation. It took a couple of years and some legal battling but the P & W was finally set free.

In a deal like that, would a railroad like P&W just end up getting "stuck" for the defaulted lease payments, or did Conrail go back and have to bring the payments up to current?

To the best of my knowledge the P&W received its independence in lieu of any cash payment. The Bankruptcy Court would determine what amount if any the Penn Central would be obligated to pay. Conrail didn't come in to being until 1976 and would not be liable for PC's debts.

[(-D]Is that kind of like saying "I'll grant you the divorce, if I don't have to pay alimony"?

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Posted by dmoore74 on Friday, February 3, 2006 2:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74

QUOTE: Originally posted by Murphy Siding

Today, Feb. 3rd, in railroad history....



1973: Providence & Worchester resumes indepedant operation. The source doesn't say on whom it was dependant. Was P&W run by one of the Canadian roads?

Anybody else?

No "h", it's Worcester. The Providence & Worcester had been leased by the New Haven and the lease was assumed by Penn Central. When the bankrupt Penn Central defaulted on lease payments the major stockholders made plans for independent operation. It took a couple of years and some legal battling but the P & W was finally set free.

In a deal like that, would a railroad like P&W just end up getting "stuck" for the defaulted lease payments, or did Conrail go back and have to bring the payments up to current?

To the best of my knowledge the P&W received its independence in lieu of any cash payment. The Bankruptcy Court would determine what amount if any the Penn Central would be obligated to pay. Conrail didn't come in to being until 1976 and would not be liable for PC's debts.
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Posted by chad thomas on Friday, February 3, 2006 2:05 PM
I read somewhere on this forum about a European operation that changes guages along the route and they simply swap out the trucks. Don't know if this has anything to do with anything, just thought I'd throw it out there.
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Posted by nanaimo73 on Friday, February 3, 2006 1:59 PM
You could have all of your new cars on order for a year or two in advance built in the new gauge and lease them out to other railroads until you regauged. Perhaps a lot of the old equipment was not regauged and just scrapped.
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, February 3, 2006 1:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by nanaimo73

A lot of the locomotives, cars and yards would have been done before the big changeover, and the rest afterwards. If you were going from 5'0" to 4'8.5", you would put in more spikes on the inside of one rail beforehand and then all you would do is pull out the old spikes and slide the rail over a bit and spike the outside. I don't think tieplates were used back then.
Illinois Central did all 550 miles of their southern end on July 29, 1881.

Wouldn't you have 1/2 of all your rolling stock unusable for an extended period of time? From the day you started regauging the rolling stock, up until D-day, 1/2 of the equipment would be old gauge, 1/2 would be new guage. The day after the rails were done being moved, 1/2 the equipment is the wrong gauge again. It sounds like an operational nightmare.

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