Volume 44 #5 June 2013
Meeting Notice Contents The Next meeting of the Northstar Chapter of the NRHS will Held September 21 2013 6:30 pm, at Roseville Lutheran Officer Contact Directory P1 Church at 1215 Roselawn Avenue, midway between Lexington and Hamline Avenues in Roseville. See map on following page. Membership Information P2 Note the EARLIER START TIME at 6:30 pm. Directions to meeting site P2 Summer Events P2-3 Program: To be determined Lead Story P4-5 News Items P5-7 There will be a pre-meeting get-together at the Keys CP Derailment (Electronic Version only) P9,10 Cafe and Bakery at the northeast corner of Lexington and Larpenteur starting about 5:00 pm. PLEASE Passenger Train Consist (Electronic version only) CALL Bob Clarkson at 651-636-2323 and leave a message P10,12 with your name and the number of persons coming with you.
Northstar Chapter Officers
President H Martin Swan [email protected] 612-961-1684 Vice President Richard [email protected] 763-757-1304 Tubbesing Past President Dawn [email protected] 763-784-8835 Holmberg National Director Bill Dredge [email protected] 952-937-1313 Treasurer Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Secretary Dave Norman [email protected] 612-729-2428 Trustee Gary Rumler [email protected] 651-385-8752 Staff Program Chairman Richard [email protected] 763-757-1304 Tubbesing Newsletter Editor Committee: [email protected] 763-757-1304 Richard [email protected] Tubbesing, [email protected] Dawn Holmberg, Dan Meyer Newsletter Distribution Richard [email protected] 763-757-1304 Tubbesing Trip Director John Goodman Chapter John Cartwright [email protected] 651-481-8479 Librarian/Historian Web Master Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Chapter Mailbox Northstar PO Box 120832 St Paul MN Chapter NRHS 55112 Unofficial Library Data Russ Isbrandt [email protected] Base Administrator Page 1 Northstar News June 2013
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Dues are $54($39 for the National dues and $15 for the local dues). Family memberships are $5 per person additional. The student rate is $22 ($16 for the National, $6 for the Northstar Chapter). If you want to join, an application is available at http:www.northstar-nrhs.org/. Print out this application and send it with a check made payable to “Northstar Chapter NRHS” to Northstar Chapter NRHS Membership Services, P.O. Box 120832, St. Paul, MN 55112. A subscription to this newsletter may be obtained for $18 for either printed or electronic edition by sending a check to the post office box above specifying the form of the newsletter you desire. A subscription does NOT include voting privileges at chapter meetings nor any of the NRHS membership benefits and no membership application is needed.
Meeting Site Summer Events From the east and west take MN 36 to Lexington Avenue. From the Editor: Drive south on Lexington Avenue to Roselawn Avenue and Please mark your calendar for our Chapter events this summer. We turn right. The large lighted parking lot is on your right as have a variety of events that should appeal to all members. See you travel west on Roselawn. Use the lower entrance to the church and turn left through the commons area. We’ll below for details. Picture from last years Picnic: be in room 40, The Diamond Room.
Summer events
Paddleford River Cruise August 10th 2013 – by John Goodman
I spoke today with Lynn of the Sales Desk at the Padelford Boat lines and got the following information. Group rates begin at 25. The individual cost per person is about $41.00, but with a group of 25 paid in advance, the cost is $35.35 each. These rates include all tips, taxes, etc. However....if an individual were to go on-line and book the cruise, they allow a discount of $2.00 off the $41.00 rate. So..... If we book thru NRHS and get at least 25 paid in advance, we pay $35.35. If we pay at dockside...we pay $41.00 (or thru the mail) If we book on-line (each) we pay $39.00 each. The boats never go downstream (towards Hastings) unless of very high water during flood times. There is plenty of room presently on the August 10th lunch cruise. Please send your reservations to John Goodman (by August 1st 2013 at 8409 13th Avenue South Bloomington, Mn 55425-1705 or [email protected]. Price will be determined by how many members/friends signup. Information on price will be on the Northstar website by July 26 2013. http://northstar- nrhs.org/
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Northstar Chapter Annual Picnic.
The date of the North Star annual picnic will be at Maiden Rock, Wi on Saturday, July 13th, 2013 from 11am thru 3pm.
As usual the chapter will provide sodas and chips. Come one...come all. Enjoy the BNSF and the summer season on the river. John Goodman
August 17th 2013 Trip to Duluth
The particulars on the August 17th trip to Duluth by bus, then in a private car W-24 to Two Harbors and back are as follows: Trip cost per person (minimum of 25 passengers) will be $112.00 This includes free parking at the St. Paul Amtrak station (probably for the last time for us) Voigt bus/motor coach to Duluth and back North Shore Scenic rail trip to Two Harbors and back from Duluth. Private h/w exDMIR combine W-24 for our exclusive use Lv. Amtrak in St. Paul 7:15am Ar Duluth 10:00am Lv. Duluth on train 10:30am to Two Harbors Ar. back in Duluth 4:30pm Lv. Duluth on return bus at 5:00pm make a meal stop enroute (not included in price) Ar. Amtrak in St. Paul about 8:45pm This August 17th date will be a Mayor's Street Party day in Two Harbors, with a band and street vendors selling food. (same as last year) Main street will be closed off for the party. Send reservations and Payment to John Goodman by August 14th 2013. 8409 13th Avenue South Bloomington, Mn 55425-1705
NRHS Summer Conference Events (Please note dates have been updated from the previous Newsletter)
Registration Fee Waived for Northstar Chapter members. Thursday June 26th Mariott Hotel Bloomington MN, Hospitality Room 7:30PM Russ Isbrandt show on the Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Interurban –Hotel Hospitality Room 9PM Richard Tubbesing Slide show on Twin City railroads from the Library –Hotel Hospitality Room Friday June 27 2013 Twin City Rail Tour, Vintage Transit Bus, St Paul Union Depot tour, Friends of the #261 Shop tour with a Box Lunch, Round trip on Northstar Commuter from Mpls to Big Lake and Return, and a return to the Hotel from Mpls via the Hiawatha Light Rail line. Fare: $59 Friday June 27 2013 Hospitality Room Mariott Hotel Bloomington MN 9PM Joe Stark Slide show on Misc RR -Hotel Hospitality Room 10PM John Cartwright Slide show on Twin City Structures and Railroads –Hotel Hospitality Room Saturday June 28th Banquet, Mariott Hotel Guest Speaker R Clifford Black IV Amtrak’s Chief of Corporate Communications, retired. Fare: $59 All Payments must be made out to the Northstar Railway Historical Society and send to our post Office box Due by June 10 2013. NRHS Summer Conference PO Box 120832 St Paul MN 55112-0025.
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Lead Story
May 11, 12 2013 #261 Trip to Duluth … Following Article By Richard Tubbesing (Photos by Author, except where noted)
1. Train at Harrison ST May 11 2. Train at Harrison St May 11 3. Soo 2719,#261 Duluth Depot May 11
4,5. Soo #2719 Duluth Depot, and Excursion Train (Amtrak P42) ready to depart Duluth Depot May 12 2013.
6. By the Duluth DM&IR Ore dock: Photo by Jeff Terry Trainorders.com 503 Passengers rode to Duluth, 523 rode the train back from Duluth to Mpls. There were passengers from 6 different countries and 30 states, according to Frank Sandberg. I met with friends John Chute, Roger Libra, and Doug Gough (from Chicago) in the Super Dome. Our train of 14 cars, was ready to depart Harrison St shops at 9AM. We were about 15 minutes late is departing. Leading of course was Steve Sandberg’s MILW 4-8-4 #261. Sans the mars light. A new look for the engine this year. The consist was AMTRAK P42 #17, Tool car ‘Grand Canyon’, Sleeper ‘Minnesota Valley’, Coaches ‘Wenowah’, ‘Nakomis’, ‘Lake Pepin’, Concession Baggage car, 1st class cars (ex Amtrak) ‘Wisconsin Valley’ and ‘St Croix Valley’, Premium Class cars: Observation car ‘Lamberts Point’, Iowa Pacific’s Full length Domes ‘Sky View’, (ex Santa Fe), ‘Prairie View’ (ex GN), and an ex Santa Fe dome (unnamed), Milw Super dome and Milw Skytop observation. We headed north to Coon Creek and the BNFS Hinckley Sub Jct. In Premium class, Coffee, Juice and a Continental Breakfast was enjoyed. Heading toward Cambridge, we encountered a couple of Vintage Bi-planes chasing and photograping the train. When we got to Cambridge, we headed into the siding and waited for a Southbound BNSF Manifest that had a break-in-two north of here. We were delayed about 45 minutes. We then had a clear shot to Superior passing thru Hinckley (Jct of the St Croix Valley RR), Sandstone (across the Kettle River Bridge), Askov and into Superior across the Black River and Nemidji River Bridges, past
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Boyleston and Saunders junctions. Lunch was served with complimentary Beverages, Honey baked Ham sandwich, chips and pickle. The excellent volunteer staff was taxed serving all the premium passengers in 6 cars. Once into Superior past the BNSF Yard we encounted a sharp curve to head west toward Duluth, across the St Louis River and the Grassy Point Draw Bridge. We arrived at the Duluth Depot (the Lake Superior RR Museum) at about 4:30pm. A band was playing outside the depot to celebrate ‘National Train Day’. Soo #2719 was steamed up waiting for switching of cars for the evening’s dinner train. Visitors enjoyed the many exhibits in the Museum. John, Roger, Doug and I, along with my sister Carol and Niece Jill Peterson and checked into the Holiday INN about 4 blocks away and Duluth Transit provided free shuttle service from the depot to various hotels. John, Roger, Doug and I had tickets for the Dinner train, pulled by Soo 4-6-2 #2719 and then headed back to the Depot to Board our train after cars from the #261 consist were shuffled for the Dinner train. The Dinner train was about 45 minutes late from the 6PM scheduled departure. After boarding, we headed toward the rear of the train and claimed a table in the LSRM ex-GN ‘Lake of the Isles’ diner. Dinner was provided by the Duluth Grill (of Food Network fame) and consisted of beverage, balsamic vinagarette Tossed salad, Chicken Strips with Hollandaise Sauce on a bed of wild rice, glazed carrots, and and Avacado/Mango Ice cream served on a homemade sugar cookie. The staff of the Duluth Grill provided Excellent service where 170 people in total were served. The train went to Palmers, about 2/3 of the way to Two Harbors and returned to Duluth at about 9PM. Then it was on to the Night Photo session with the #261 and #2719 being the stars of the show. I could not get my camera to work properly and left early and headed back to the hotel for the night. My room had a great view of the Duluth Harbor and Aerial Bridge, as the Aerial Bridge was ablaze in lights at night. The next morning, we had a massive breakfast at the Hotel café, and then headed to the depot for the 12PM departure. I tooks some pictures of the equipment and #2719 as #2719 was scheduled to operate a Lunch train. Our train was wyed at Rice’s point yard, but NO #261. Amtrak P42 would pull us to Superior where #261 was waiting to pull us back to Minneapolis. This was done so #261 didn’t have to negotiate the sharp curves in crossing the Grassy Point Draw Bridge. The connection was made just North of Saunders. We were about on-time but took about 20 minutes to get the #261 hooked up and all the brake tests done. On board, we had plenty of beverage options, and tons of Hor-doveres on the ride back. Dave Baniewicz and I headed to the front of the train to find fellow Northstar chapter members, Russ Isbrandt, John Goodman, Dan Meyer, Dawn Holmberg, Rick Krenski and some others from the NRHS, and they were found in one of the compartments of the sleeper. After Kabitzing for a while, I returned back to the super dome for the rest of the trip. We arrived at Harrison St at about 6:30PM after waiting for the #261 to be uncoupled and have the Amtrak P42 pull us to the shop track. Then John, Roger, Doug and I headed for Legends Bar to have a celebration Cocktail to toast the return of #261. What a great tribute to see this engine again running again and all the Hard work Steve Sandberg and staff did is getting the engine overhauled. Great work ‘Friends of the #261’ !!!!
News Items
. From Rich Krenske Subject: Hiawatha light-rail name to be phased out for Blue Line. Article by: TIM HARLOW , Star Tribune Updated: May 17, 2013. Hiawatha LRT to be Blue Line as agency readies more train, bus service.
The Hiawatha Light Rail Line is being rebranded as the METRO Blue Line. The Blue Line is the first of the Twin Cities METRO system of rapid transit lines which include METRO Red Line Bus Rapid Transit on Cedar Ave. METRO Blue Line trains will now have three cars and will run every ten minutes throughout most of the day. Twelve new light-rail vehicles dedicated to the line will allow this increased service capacity. During the kickoff event Metro Transit staff handed out Blue line pens, new schedules and special commemorative fare cards.
The name isn't likely to leave riders' lips any time soon, but starting Friday the light-rail line that runs from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America won't be called the Hiawatha Line. The line is being rebranded as the Blue Line, Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland said.
As part of the change and to educate riders, transit agency officials held a launch party from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday at the 46th Street Station in south Minneapolis. Metro Transit unveiled new logos for the Blue Line, showed off new station graphics and passed out new schedules for riders. They also distributed special commemorative fare cards.
Over the past couple of weeks, destination signs with blue markers and the words 'Blue Line' have been used to help riders become familiar with the new name. New rail cars recently added to the line also will be on display.
Getting riders familiar with the Blue Line name will be important because the new Green Line trains between Minneapolis and St. Page 5 Northstar News June 2013
Paul will start running next year. In downtown Minneapolis, the two lines will share a track and station stops.
It also will help distinguish the train from the new Red Line Bus Rapid Transit line that is scheduled to begin June 22 along Cedar Avenue from Bloomington to Eagan, Apple Valley and Lakeville.
For the 31,000 daily users, the name change will be hard, Siqveland said, noting that the light-rail line has been known as the Hiawatha Line since its debut in 2004.
Even Metro Transit's website won't totally eliminate all references to Hiawatha. To ease the transition, a page describing Blue Line service will keep the word Hiawatha in parenthesis in the title. Besides the name change, the Blue Line also will have longer trains. Metro Transit will now operate three-car trains, which will run about every 10 minutes throughout most of the day. Last year, Metro Transit provided 10.5 million rides on the line, the highest number since rail service began nine years ago.
Subject: Metro News - One Last Ride Sent: Wed, Jun 5, 2013 1:50:57 PM It has been reported that the monorail at the Minnesota Zoo will be dismantled this fall. It has been running since 1979. Due to decreasing ridership and increasing maintenance costs, the Zoo is discontinuing the ride. If you want 'One Last Ride', you better do so this summer, if we have a summer, but that's another story. The Zoo's monorail isn't the first one in Minnesota. South St Paul had a monorail back in 1888. Here are some excerpts from the Winter 2013 issue of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum's publication, Twin City Lines. The first electric railway in Minnesota was the abortive attempt to electrify the Minneapolis, Lyndale & Minnetonka (the Motor Line) on Marquette Avenue in 1885 and again in 1886. The second electric railroad, also short lived, was the South St Paul monorail in 1888. The South St Paul line was referred to as "suspended" or "under-running". The car hangs from a guideway. Monorails have a basic flaw. There may be one rail, but it takes many wheels to keep the car from falling off it. (Sort of like a roller coaster.) Suspended monorails need wheels on both sides of the girder-like rail. Monorails' other problem is that they must run on some kind of a bridge structure, which is much more expensive than simply laying a railroad track on the ground. The result? Monorails remain a novelty, rather than a competitive mode of transportation. On May 22, 1887, the South St Paul Rapid Transit Company formed. Two St Paul businessmen, Charles W. Clark and John Bryant, owned land on top of the bluff in South St Paul but needed transit service to access it. The Great Western steam-powered suburban trains had started running in 1886 and served a station at the foot of Bryant Avenue, which climbed the bluff to their properties. They acquired an easement along Bryant Avenue and built a line up that street that was roughly 1/3 mile in length on a 6-7 percent grade. At 16th Avenue, it turned south for about a city block. When it was torn down is unclear. It may have remained in place for up to five years. After the track was removed, the monorail car sat on display at Concord and Bryant, reportedly until as late as 1918. Apparently the scrapper only removed the track structure above the ground. During the 1960's and 70's, city crews working in the area unearthed the footings and some of these remnants reside at the Dakota County Historical Society. In 1967, a memorial to the monorail was placed in from of Clark Memorial Church on 15th and Bryant.
NS Heritage and UP DRG&W Heritage units Sighted. Manufacturers RR (Orange and White) was spotted in April 2013 EB on Oil Cans at Stinson and E Hennepin Mpls (no pictures) Nickel Plate RR unit (Black and Yellow) spotted June 5 2013 on an EB oil can at Stinson and E Hennepin Mpls (no pictures). SOU (Green & White) spotted EB at Stinson and E Hennepin June 12 2013(no picture). CofG Unit spotted May 29 2013 at Northtown Yd on an EB oil can train. Photos by R Tubbesing.
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Below: Pictures from the Twin City RR Yahoo Group May 2013.
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 3:56 AM
From the TRAINS Newswire:
Environmental study ordered for proposed Minnesota passenger service. Published: May 14, 2013
ROCHESTER, Minn. - It may be decades away and might never be built, but local governments and the Federal Railroad Administration plan to prepare a Tier One Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate potential passenger rail alternatives between the Twin Cities and Rochester. No existing railroad line directly links the two, so an entirely new passenger line would have to be constructed.
The study will examine a range of route alternatives. Alternatives under consideration will include an alignment of the Highway 52 corridor from Rochester to the Twin Cities; an alternative running west from Rochester and then north in the vicinity of Highway 56; and multiple alignments in both the Rochester and the Twin Cities metro areas depending on the terminals identified at both ends of the corridor. Alternatives will be analyzed and made available for public comments, as they are refined and more precise information provided.
In addition to the FRA, the Olmsted County Regional Railroad Authority, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation will be involved in the preparation of the study. The government organizations involved say here is a growing need for travel, connectivity, and transportation capacity between Rochester and the Twin Cities for current and future economic growth. The famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester draws patients from around the nation and the world, and would be one of the main economic drivers supporting the project in a city of only 107,000 residents.
Several years ago, the clinic led efforts to stop the expansion of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad's line into Wyoming's Powder River Basin, which would have led to more freight train traffic passing through Rochester.
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Railfan Events
NRHS Summer Conference June 26, 27,28 2013 Marriot Hotel Bloomington MN $118 for all events w/Chapter Members discount Northstar Summer Picnic July 13 2013 Maiden Rock WI Free Beverages, bring your own meat to grill Jonathon Padleford Buffet Cruise August 10th 2013 St Paul MN $35 – $42 Bus Trip to Duluth and ride August 17th 2013 Midway Station to Duluth $112 payable to John behind Soo #2719 Goodmant
Thanks to Rick Krenske, Trainorders.com, Trainsmag.com newswire and the Twin City Railroad Yahoo group for information.
______
Northstar News
1515 Creek Meadow Dr NW Coon Rapids MN 55433 3768 Address Correction Requested
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Wheel-bearing failure may have caused Sudbury train derailment Published Sunday, Sudbury Ont News, June 2, 2013 1:06PM EDT Last Updated Sunday, June 2, 2013 11:09PM EDT A portion of a bridge in the Greater Sudbury area collapsed Sunday afternoon, sending several cars from a cargo train into water below.
Containers from a Canada Pacific train plunged into the Wahnapitae River after the train derailed Sunday near the community of Wanup, Ont., just south of Sudbury.
No injuries were reported, but the collapse and derailment caused major damage. Train containers and other debris could be seen floating downstream hours after the incident.
Greater Sudbury officials said in an earlier statement that the train contained some potentially hazardous materials, prompting the Sudbury and District Health Unit to issue a drinking-water advisory to residents who draw their water from the Wahnapitae River.
But CP spokesperson Ed Greenberg said in an email to The Canadian Press that initial inspections of the containers indicate there is no product that poses a threat.
Crews continue to work with officials to examine the condition of the containers and determine which ones made contact with the water.
For the time being, residents are being urged to visit four municipal filling stations in the city.
Greenberg said that initial investigations also indicate a wheel-bearing failure may have caused the freight train to derail just before it reached the bridge.
“Our early investigation indicates this incident is the result of an unexpected and catastrophic wheel-bearing failure that could not have been detected in advance,” Greenberg said.
The health unit and the Nickel District Conservation Authority are monitoring the situation. The Ministry of the Environment and The Transportation Safety Board has also been called to the scene.
Meanwhile, trucks carrying cranes and other equipment have been brought in to help with recovery and bridge repair
…....
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Train Consists from John Goodman
Photos taken at New Haven in 1960 of five of the Pullmans on Jan 28th 1965 Trains #176 and #177: Rocky Point, India Point, Grove Beach, Roton Point, Allyns Point. By Bill Howes
Thursday, January 28, 1965, we first have PRR # 176, the NB Federal out of Washington enroute to NY and Boston. This train departed Washington DC on time at 10:20 PM on Wednesday January 27, 1965. Its consist is included in the following day’s listing since it departed Philadelphia 30th Street early in the morning of the 28th.
The first car was PRR X-29 box express 2351 with express from Memphis TN enroute to NY. This car came off of Southern # 46, the Tennessean at Washington. It was followed by PRR 7465, a B60B baggage express with express from Washington DC enroute to Boston. Next we have PRR 9008, a B60B baggage express with express from Washington enroute to Boston.
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Finally we have PRR 9106, a B60B baggage express that was serving as the through Washington to Boston baggage car. This car will be worked at Philadelphia 30th Street and NY by station crews.
The first of the coaches was NH 8690, a post war American Flyer coach built by P-S at Worcester MA in 1948. This car had 64 reclining seats and a 14 seat smoking lounge. This car was deadheading back to Boston. It was followed by PRR 1545(ex Butler Inn), a P85L lightweight coach with 64 reclining seats and a 12 seat smoking lounge. This car was built by Budd in 1949 as a 21 roomette sleeper for the PRR. It was taken out of Pullman lease in 1963 and was then sent back to Budd for rebuilding as a coach.
The last of the coaches was PRR 1588, a P85H lightweight “Congo” coach with 60 reclining seats and a 14 seat smoking lounge. This car was built by Budd in 1951. All of the coaches were enroute to Boston, along with the following four sleepers.
The first of these was NH 521 Rocky Point, a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1950. Next we have NH 550 Bay State, a plan 4193 6 double bedroom café lounge built by P-S in 1955. This car was designed to provide late evening and early morning meal service, and had an expanded buffet area fitted with a large charcoal broiler. The lounge area was fitted with extra tables to accommodate the meal service. It was followed by NH 527 Bailey’s Beach, a plan 4194 6 section 4 double bedroom 6 roomette sleeper built by P-S in 1954. This car would be sold to the LIRR by PC in 1969 where it became LIRR 2076 Salonga.
The last of the Boston bound sleepers was NH 502 Black Point, a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1949.
Next we have the Washington to Springfield MA sleeper. NH 508 India Point was another plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1949. This car would be detached from the consist of the Federal at New Haven, where it would be added to the consist of NH # 412 for the remainder of the trip to Springfield MA.
The last sleeper was PRR Middle River, a plan 4140 10-6 built by P-S in 1949 for joint service on Southern trains. This car will be dropped off at Baltimore MD where it will board passengers enroute to NY. It will then depart Baltimore enroute to NY in the consist of PRR # 108, the NB Edison.
At Philadelphia 30th Street, the Philadelphia to Boston sleeper will be switched in between NH Black Point and NH India Point. Additional head end cars bound for both NY and NH points will also be added directly behind the GG-1 motor. Arrival at Philadelphia 30th Street was scheduled for 12:36 AM, and departure was scheduled for 1:03 AM.
The next consist is that of PRR # 177, the SB Federal, out of NY enroute to Washington. Originating at Boston, this train departed NY 29 minutes late at 4:02 AM.
The first car was PRR X-29 box express 5309 with storage mail from NY enroute to Washington. Next we have PRR X-29 box express 1882 with express that originated at New Haven and was enroute to Washington. It was followed by REX refrigerator express 6213 with express that originated at Boston and was enroute to Washington. The next car was FEC 482, a heavyweight gold star baggage express with a 69’ 3” interior space. This car was also carrying express from Boston enroute to Washington.
The through Boston to Washington baggage car was PRR 9341, a gold star B60B baggage express. This car was manned.
The next two coaches also originated at Boston and were enroute to Washington. PRR 1515( ex Jeffrey Scaife ex Piqua Inn) was a P85L lightweight coach with 64 reclining seats and a 12 seat smoking lounge. It was built by Budd in 1949 as a 21 roomette sleeper for the PRR. It was taken out of Pullman lease in 1963 and was then sent back to Budd for rebuilding as a coach. PRR 1586 was a P85H lightweight “Congo” coach with 60 reclining seats and a 14 seat smoking lounge. It was built by Budd in 1951.
The next three sleepers all originated at Boston and were enroute to Washington. The first of these was NH 501 Beaver Tail Point, a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1949. It was followed by PRR Maple Falls, a plan 4086A 6 double bedroom buffet lounge built by P-S in 1940. This car was substituting for one of the NH 6 double bedroom café lounge cars Page 11 Northstar News June 2013 normally assigned to this train. The pre war car was chosen because it was equipped to serve light breakfasts to the sleeping car clientele. This car would be sold to the LIRR in 1968 where it would become LIRR 2054 Ponquogue. Lastly, we have NH 529 Grove Beach, a plan 4194 6 section 4 double bedroom 6 roomette sleeper built by P-S in 1954. Like the previous car, this car would also be sold to the LIRR. Surplus to the needs of PC, this car was sold in 1969 and it became LIRR 2077 Sebonac.
Next we have the through Springfield MA to Washington through sleeper. This car came off of NH # 97 at New Haven. New Haven 522 Roton Point was a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1950. This car was followed by the Providence RI to Washington sleeper (the reference to Boston is in error). NH 506 Goshen Point was a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1949. This car was in the consist of NH # 179 between Providence and New Haven.
The next three sleepers all originated in NY and were enroute to Washington DC. Note that by this date, the Baltimore set out sleeper was no more, and the car ran through to Washington. The first of these cars was Nickel Plate 207 City of Peoria, a plan 4167A 10-6 built by P-S in 1950. (Note that the prefix number was a formal part of the official Pullman name of the NKP cars since they duplicated some names of sleepers built for PRR and NYC service). This car would be sold to the Illinois Central in September 1965 where it would become IC Cook County. Next we have PRR Cascade Bay, a plan 4072C 10-5 built by P-S in 1940. Finally, we have PRR Loyalsock Rapids, a plan 9008 10-6 built by ACF in 1950. This car when built was named Eagle Cove and it was painted in MP Eagle colors. The car was renamed in April 1964 when it was painted Tuscan red.
The last of the sleepers on this train was NH 500 Allyns Point, a plan 4159 14-4 built by P-S in 1949. This car originated at Boston and it would be dropped off at Philadelphia 30th Street. It was followed by PRR 7848, a B60B baggage express with express that originated at Boston and was enroute to Philadelphia 30th Street.
The last car was PRR 120 Pennsylvania, a Z74D heavyweight business car. This car originated in NY and it would be dropped off at Philadelphia 30th Street.
An interesting consist for an interesting train. Note the rare appearance of a Nickel Plate sleeper in NY to Washington service.
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