The Pennsylvania Electric - Other Method

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited Providing a fast new freight link: - An old branch makes a comeback

Conductor James H. Mansfield throws a switch at Porter, Del., junction of the short- cut branch and Delmarva main line. Westbound HD-1, right, passes eastbound HD-2 on the main line at Newark, Delaware.

cooting down the stretch of track S that PRR men call the "Dela- ware Road" comes Freight Train HD-2, with Engineman Charles R. Rexroth at the controls. "It's a good train and we make excellent time," he says. HD-2 and its westbound twin, HD-1, are ~rovidinga freight service that has chopped a full day off the travel time between the Del- marva Peninsula and the cities of the Midwest. "I'd call that pretty good going," comments Conductor Edward L. Da- vis. The saving of a day means a great As HD-1 arrives at Enola Yard, Car Enola brakeman, Frank J. Yanoscak, cuts deal to shippers nowadays. Many of Inspector A. A. Bowman bleeds the brakes. HD-1's cars before they roll over hump. them operate with smaller stock- piles and inventories than ever before. And they need faster service Midwest to Delmarva: than ever before, to replenish their Plywood, corn, oats, flour, gluten stocks or keep assembly lines mov- feed, beans, coal, assembled autos, ing. fresh meat, frozen turkeys, steel For such shippers, HD-1 and HD- rails, limestone, door frames, glass- I *-L 2 are a winning ticket. ware, rope, refrigerator parts, auto- A full day saved . . . how was it mobile parts. done? And westbound from Delmarva The answer lies in a track project on HD-1 came: completed by PRR men during the Canned goods, lumber, pulp wood, past summer, at a cost of $100,000. wood chips, furniture, brick, synthet- Previously, freight moving off the ic fibers, plus a string of empties Delaware-Maryland-Virginia Penin- returning to Midwestern points for sula had to move north to Wilming- more loads. ton, Del. Then it had to backtrack to HD-1 departs from Delmar, on the Perryville, Md., where it moved over Delaware-Maryland border, at 9 the branch leading through Colum- A.M., picks up additional cars at In "A Tower, at Enola, Retarder Opera- bia, Pa., to Enola Yard. There the Newark, Del., and arrives at Enola tor Ernest N. Pace classifies the cars. freight connected with trains for De- at 7:30 P.M. There its cars are a* w troit, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago switched into any of 14 Midwestern -f and other gateway cities. trains. What PRR track forces did this Eastbound HD-2 leaves Enola at past summer was to renovate a 90- 8 A.M., sets off some cars at Newark *; year-old branch linking Porter and and terminates at 5: 10 P.M. at Del- Branch line is renovated for HD trains. Newark, Del. This provided a short mar, where connection is made with After new ballast is deposited, Jesse cut avoiding the time-consuming six trains serving the peninsula and Murray comes through with his tamper, move up the main line and through the area around Norfolk, Va. and is aided by Trackman Earl L. Brooks. the busy Wilmington area. The new short cut, a 6%-mile "Making this change is a prime portion of the Newark and Delaware example of how our railroad displays City Branch, originally was built in its flexibility in competing for busi- 1875. The track had a busy career ness with the truck lines," says L. J. until its main customers, the potato (Jim) Bossler, assistant general growers, shifted to truck transpor- manager, freight service. tation. During World War 11, the "The trucks have a wide choice of branch' was used to haul ammuni- highways and short cuts and this tion in and out of an Army storage has enabled them to take away depot. After that, the branch rare- much of the traffic we formerly car- ly saw a train. ried on the Delmarva Peninsula. Now, with the recent spurt of di- Now, by improving our service, we versified industry on the Delmarva are in a better position to win this Penisula and the restoration job Then the rails are aligned. Here George business back." done by PRR track forces, the New- A. Adams, engineer of work equipment, On a typical day, HD-2 brought ark and Delaware City Branch is off Cars that came from Delmarva on HD-1 marks graph showing track arrangement. the following products from the on a promising new career. are sent into trains bound for Midwest.

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited Men of other railroads "What the shipper get a look at the PRR pays us for" he incident really wasn't president, manufacturing, at "T.worthmaking a fuss about," Olin Brass, wrote the PRR: said Jim Grant. "I would like to commend "It happens all the time," he your car inspector, Mr. Jim pointed out. Grant, for his aid in expediting "A company needs a piece of an emergency shipment for us. equipment in a hurry to keep His prompt attention was a sig- its production line from coming nificant factor in the receipt of to a halt. So we put in an extra the car on schedule." effort to make sure it's loaded safely and delivered promptly. That's all. It's our iob. It's what the shipper pays us for." Nevertheless, however rou- tine Jim Grant considered the matter, it brought a letter of appreciation from Olin Brass, a division of Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, at East Alton, Ill. A huge gear in the brass plant's rolling mill was worn out, and a replacement was mandatory. A suitable used gear was purchased by Olin from Superior Steel Company, Visitors hear about operations of PRR's giant ore-unloading pier in South Philadelphia. Carnegie, Pa. Jim Grant, PRR car inspec- hree railroads operate in and Robert A. Sumerfield, assistant tor who works out of Scully Taround Philadelphia-the PRR, district sales manager, handled the Yard, went over to the plant the Reading and the B&O. But more arrangements. Two busloads of visi- when the 30-ton load was being than 50 other railroads maintain tors were taken on a tour of all the blocked and tied down on a flat offices and have sales agents solicit- major rail facilities, including the car. It's the shipper's responsi- ing business in this city. PRR produce terminal, the Truc- bility to do that, but it's the car In many cases, these agents have Train terminal, the PRR pier where inspector's job to make sure it's never had an opportunity to get thor- imported iron ore is transferred done right. oughly acquainted with the city's from ships to freight cars, and the Jim Grant made suggestions rail facilities. pier where hopper cars dump coal to improve the bracing and ex- Charles A. Fritzson, PRR sales into outbound ships. pedite the job, and helped get manager at Philadelphia, figured that "The visitors came away with a the car ready to make the first a first-hand look would better enable better idea of the variety and effi- available westbound train. them to advise and serve their cus- ciency of the services our railroad The shipment arrived in good tomers who ship to or from the offers to the shipping world," con- time; and G. A. Chandler, vice Philadelphia area. cluded Mr. Fritzson. On The

SYSTEM New York Division Hantke, R. L. Acting Train Master, Harrisburg Phillips, W. A. Assistant Examiner, Columbus Financial Department Andreiuolo, F. F. Assistant Car Foreman MU Hoover, L. N. Supervisor of Stations, Accounting Department Equipment, New York Harrisburg Buckeye Division Benninghove, N. H. Systems Analyst Cozzolino, V. J. Assistant Car Foreman, Kauffman, C. H. Assistant Supervisor Robb, P. 0. Assistant Troinmaster-Night, Dockray, T. F. Sr. Computer Analyst Sunnyside Track, Enola Cincinnati Kelly, J. F. Traffic Clerk DiSimone, C. A. Assistant Car Foreman Miles, H. E. Freight Agent, Hagerstown Stegeman, G. H. Assistant Motive Power Linaugh, E. B. Advisory Computer Analyst (Relief), New York Noone, W. J. Agent, Harrisburg Foreman-Night, Cincinnati Pullen, Wendell Advisory Systems Analyst Frandsen, F. W. Foreman Cleaning Warner, J. J. Assistant Supervisor-Structures, Redfern, R. J., Jr. Accountant Operation, Sunnyside CENTRAL REGION Richmond, Ind. Trout, L. W. Systems Analyst Longo, T. F. Assistant Supervisor Lake Division Zone, C. S. Systems Analyst TrucTrain Terminal, Kearny Bearinger, J. C. Train Master, Akron Chicago Division Mashburn, G. V. Assistant Car Foreman, Cunningham, R. L. Sales Representative, Handley, V. E. Trainmaster, Logansport Engineering & Real Estate Sunnyside Akron Hille, J. L. Transportation Supervisor, Campbell, H. G., Jr. Assistant Engineer- Reynolds, T. A. Supervisor Structures, Chicago Structures, Philadelphia New York Pittsburgh Division Hirt, T. D. General Foreman-Track, Chicago Leutner, W. G. Real Estate Representative, Tettemer, E. C. Station Master, Newark Cordell, J. T. Assistant Car Foreman, McCormick, A. J. Assistant Trainmaster, Buffalo Toadvine, G. A. Assistant Passenger Train Pittsburgh Chicago Weltzer, L. A. Supervisor, Real Estate, Chicago Master-Assistant Division Operator, New York Crowe, J. V., Jr. Assistant Car Foreman, Sheehan, T. F. Assistant Supervisor- Walker, R. D. Assistant Superintendent Conway, Pa. Structures, Chicago Coal and Ore Traffic Stations, New York Gluth, R. M. Assistant Train Master-Psgr., Furst, ElJwood, H. Coal Sales Manager, Pittsburgh Fort Wayne Division New York Chesapeake Division Novak, Frank, Jr. Assistant Office Manager, Cannon, K. R. Assistant Car Foreman, Toledo Korn, Donald W. Coal CL Ore Sales Manager, Bryan, E. C. Assistant Foreman-Relief Pittsburgh Dunseath, W. K. Assistant Trainmaster, Cleveland (Bay View Car Shops), Baltimore Dber, W. F. Transportation Engineer, Toledo Cruciano, P. H. Agent, Baltimore Pittsburgh Gwinutt, W. W. Assistant Superintendent, EASTERN REGION Lawson, H. W. Supervisor of Material, Ozbun, L. E. Assistant Train Master, Fort Wayne Garrison, G. M. Acting Assistant Examiner- Baltimore Pitcairn, Pa. Keller, J. G. Supervisor-Train Movement, Personnel, Philadelphia McGovern, T. H. Assistant Supervisor-Track Fort Wayne Henry, G. L. Office Engineer- Washington Northern Division McCallo, M. W. Supervisor-Material, Communications & Signals, Philadelphia McKinnon, J. B. Agent Grain Elevatpr, Creek, C. W. Supervisor-Structures, Buffalo Fort Wayne Mercatante, C.H. Asst. Supervisor Billing Baltimore Modru, M. E. Assistant Car Foreman, O'Toole, W. A. Supervisor Train Movement- Masten, B. W. Rules Examiner, Wilmington Allegheny Division Fort Wayne Passenger Regional, Philadelphia Norris, J. R. Office Manager, Supervisor Stoffel, D. J. Office Manager to Supertendent, Pittinger, R. S. Trainmaster, Crestline, Ohio Ogle, F. E. Specialist-Contracts, Philadelphia Stations, Baltimore Altoona Thomas, C. A. Superintendent Stations- Ott, R. L, Assistant Foreman Bay View, Southwestern Division Eastern Region, Philadelphia Baltimore WESTERN REGION Adams, J. E., Jr. General Foreman Track- Rockey, W. C., Jr. Acting Train Master, Cox, J. C. Assistant Superintendent- Special Duty, Indianapolis Philadelphia Division Washington Transportation Chicago DiPaola, J. A. Assistant Trainmaster, Kardell, A. H. Train Master, Thurlow, Pa. Wesley, R. Supervisor-Track, Wilmington Donahue, J. W. Examiner, Columbus Indianapolis Kroez, E. M. Supervisor TrucTrain Terminal, Ham, F. J. Industrial Engineer, Chicago Sturgis, R. L. Assistant Car Foreman, Philadelphia Harrisburg Division Lipps, L. J. Examiner, Chicago St. Louis Ryan, E. M. Acting Assistant Trainmaster, Athey, Paul Agent, York Pfoffenberger, J. H. Superintendent- Verdu, F. A. Transportation Supervisor, S. Philadelphia Cook, W. G. Assistant Supervisor Track Stations, Chicago Rose Lake, Ill.

few years ago, Rita I. McCor- A mack strained her back-and entered another world. Before the injury, Miss McCor- mack, supervisor of special move- ments in the Dining Car Department, Long Island City, N.Y., had been an ardent bowler. Afterwards, she was compelled to look for a less strenuous hobby. 1 "I decided I wanted to help the Fingers of the blind read Rita's books. handicapped," she recalls, "but I didn't know where to get started. era1 use. "One day, a member of Catholic Then she bought her own Braille Charities, in which I've been active typewriter. It cost $90. for several years, asked me to drive "It's a lot different from an ordi- some blind people to a dance. nary typewriter," she says. "It has "When I arrived to pick them up, only six keys. The Braille alphabet

I tried to be very helpful-holding has the same 26 letters of the Eng- \" their arms and guiding them. lish alphabet, but the letters are Ir. "I learned not to do that, fast. The formed by only six dots in a variety dots," Miss McCormack explains. hours. Then she goes home and cor- blind are like everybody else-they of patterns." She felt a deep sense of reward rects her pupils' papers. want to do things for themselves." The first job she undertook was when the blind girl she had helped "It may sound like a lot of work," Miss McCormack got to know to make a Braille version of a Latin won a scholarship to New Rochelle says Miss McCormack, "but I enjoy these people and became deeply textbook for a high-school girl. College. it a great deal. interested in helping them. She Miss McCormack worked an aver- Since then Miss McCormack has "You can go a long way toward learned that one of the most serious age of three hours a day for four completed five other textbooks in achieving peace of mind by helping handicaps of the sightless is the months to produce it. The single varied subjects to enable blind stu- the handicapped. They're usually so shortage of books. textbook of 150 pages became, in dents to keep up with their more good-natured, so ready to laugh, Miss McCormack enrolled in a 20- Braille, five volumes of 80 or 90 fortunate classmates. that you forget your own problems. week course to learn how to operate pages each. "Give them a chance and they'll "My blind friends live as normal a Braille typewriter. After comple- "That's because Braille symbols always come through," she says. a life as possible. They go to dances, tion, she was officially certified by are different from ordinary letters She has also started a course for bingo games, and the theater. an expert at the Library of Con- and the lines are much farther apart, people who want to learn how to "I think they enjoy life more than gress, a requirement for anyone de- to aid the blind person who reads by produce books in Braille. Class is the average person-and I'm enjoy- siring to type Braille books for gen- sliding his fingers across the raised held one night each week for two ing it with them."

he Sundowners are a group of there-and we always have a lot of Tsportsmen from Patton, Pa., who fun in the course of the trip. travel hundreds of miles each year "You can't do that driving a to watch top sports events. car, and you can't do that on a bus. They always travel by train. "We appreciate the attention of "Buses?" snorts Ray Vezza, the the trainmen and other employes. only railroader in the group. "Never We've ridden with Conductor C. N. heard of them!" Finnegan on No. 54 and Waiter-in- Mr. Vezza, the club's transporta- charge Willie Thomas more than any- tion officer, is a block operator at body else, and they've been very Cresson, Pa., on the PRR's Alle- congenial. Waiter Thomas gives us gheny Division. Is that why he al- wonderful service-always makes us - ways prescribes train travel for the feel at home. ting sufficient train space to keep club? "We wouldn't leave the trains for the group together;the Sundowners "It isn't that at all," he affirms. anything. One year we passed up a restrict their membership to ten. "All the members have agreed that Detroit Lions-Green Bay game sim- The president is Thomas S. Cher- going by train is pleasanter than any ply because we couldn't get train nisky, of the Pennsylvania Electric - other method. We enjoy relaxing in space and wouldn't travel any other Company. The public relations offi- = the club cars-we've met Congress- way." cer is Albert L. Haluska, borough men and other prominent people To minimize the problem of get- secretary of Patton Borough. The - - other members include salesmen, 2- - - - businessmen and public officials. - - There's a waiting list of 25. - L. F. Tucker, PRR ticket agent at The name, Sundowners, was de- Greensburg, Pa., was complimented rived from the qlub's motto: "To - in a letter from Judge Alfred Neely, promote the objectives of our or- $ of the Marion County Criminal ganization with the energy of the Court. sun, and as members and individuals "The information you gave me - over the telephone last night was to act as conservative and dignified - - as the sundown." - very helpful, and I appreciated your As that would indicate, the club's - friendly, understanding attitude," activities aren't all fun and games. Z the Judge wrote. "The System time- The members bought land and table you sent me was in my mail helped construct a Little League - box at 8: 00 this morning. Based on - baseball diamond. - my experience with others, I could "We continue to try to help ath- 2 reasonably have expected to receive letic activities, especially where kids - it in about ten days or not at all - - without a few follow-up requests. are involved," Mr. Vezza says. - "In the meantime, we plan to see "I am grateful for your courtesy some great sports events. Next - and cooperation. The timetable is spring, for example, we're going to enabling me promptly to arrange start an annual 'pilgrimage' to the vacation transportation for my two daughters," the Judge concluded. Churchill Downs race track. BY- -$ - - Ray Vezza, PRR block tower operator, points out the sights on Sundowners' train trip. train, of course." ~IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.

3 Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited 92 years after his death . . . . Mr. Thomson still aids railroaders' daughters he Pennsylvania Railroad System his own. But he often reflected on Tcan be considered the granite and the problem of orphaned girls. A steel monument of John Edgar fatherless boy could usually get a Thomson. trade school education or could get The first man to be appointed chief a job; a girl had little chance for ei- engineer of the Railroad, in 1847, he ther in that era. laid out the route for the original Mr. Thomson bequeathed the ma- main line along the Juniata River jor portion of his million-dollar es- and across the Alleghenies. tate as a trust fund, the income of As the Railroad's third president, which was to be used for "the edu- from 1852 to 1874, he expanded and cation and maintenance of female or- molded the Railroad to approximate- phans of railway employees whose ly its present contours, stretching fathers may have been killed while from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes in the discharge of their duties." and the Mississippi. Over the years, improved equip- When he died in 1874, he also left ment and operating methods, as well another kind of monument. It was as intensive safety programs, so re- in the form of a trust to aid the or- duced the number of fatalities that, phaned daughters of railroad men. in time, there were few applicants Mr. Thomson had no children of who were eligible. In 1923, the trustees of the estate, with court approval, expanded the eligibility to include daughters of employes who die from causes not related to the job. Of the 160 girls currently being John Edgar Thomson, born in 1808, got his first engineering job at 19, and helped aided, only three are daughters of lay out the Camden & Amboy, the Georgia Railroad and the PRR. He died in 1874. men who were killed on duty. An average cost of about $500 is girl to continue education in a nurs- incurred annually by the Foundation ing school or in college. for each girl aided. In addition to a Mrs. Jessie R. Wilson, director of monthly grant, paid to the mother the Foundation, recently retired af- for the child's maintenance, the aid ter serving 43 years. covers certain medical expenses, The Foundation's board of trustees such as tonsillectomies, dental work praised Mrs. Wilson for "her fine and eyeglasses. judgment and exceptional leader- In most cases, aid terminates when ship, as well as her deep concern for the girl completes high school. Occa- Margaret, Madeline and Amy, daughters the welfare of others." sionally, when circumstances war- The trustees are W. Heyward of the late Henry W. Deni, of Croydon, rant, the Foundation continues lim- Pa., bridge operator, get Thomson aid. Myers, Jr., a retired attorney; James ited financial assistance to enable a P. Newell, president of the Trailer Train Company; and William R. Gerstnecker, treasurer of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company. The achievements of the Founda- Diane Scatasti was given aid to finish her tion "reflect to a great extent the education, now is teaching at New Castle, dedication and zeal Mrs. Wilson has Del. Father was Anthony P., machinist. demonstrated," stated Mr. Gerst- necker. "Mothers of the grantees have been constant in their praise of Mrs. Wilson's successor as director her personal concern for the well- is Mrs. Helene Lane. She joined the being of their daughters. Foundation's staff in 1924. "Her guiding influence has been Persons desiring to apply for aid evident as the work has expanded or obtain information should write over the years. A total of 1577 girls to Mrs. Lane at the J. Edgar Thom- have been aided since the Founda- son Foundation, Suite 403, 135 S. tion has been in existence." 18th Street, Phila., Pa. 19103.

Mary Cynthia Flaherty, 10, of Crestline, Cynthia, daughter of the late Merle B. Ohio, began receiving aid after the death Pace, stationary fireman in the Pittsburgh of her father, Matthew W., an engineman. Division, is now a college freshman.

Janet, Carol and Ruth are daughters of Lois, daughter of the late Richard Paul the late William C. Greenlee, Camden, Clark, Northern Division fireman, received Virginia Hight, senior at Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, is the daughter of N.J., Chesapeake Division engineman. aid till completion of nursing school. the late Eugene G., information clerk. She has had Thomson aid for 12 years.

"I didn't know what happened." Typical words for an accident victim, because accidents can happen too fast for even the fastest human reflex. But Roosevelt Thompson, machinist at the Wilmington (Del.) Shops, didn't need re- flexes. He had his safety shoes on and they made all the differ- ence. Mr. Thompson was beginning to roll an 800-pound wheel of a diesel locomotive from the storage yard to his boring mill, where he was to bore the Machinist Thompson shows what wheel's center hole to fit the happened to his safety shoe-and size of the axle. could have happened to his toes. The distance from the yard he story of Roosevelt Thompson, "Safety shoes are too heavy." to the boring mill is about 30 on my foot." Ttold at the right, has been re- Fact: Each. steel toe-cap weighs only feet, and Mr. Thompson had The wheel had seemed per- peated thousands of times in Ameri- a little more than an ounce. done the same job many, many fectly upright, Mr. Thompson can industries. "The steel caps makes your toes times before. recalls. But apparently it had Something heavy falls . . . the cold." Fact: Modern safety shoes "Only this time, the wheel been resting on the flange of worker doesn't get out the way in have felt insulation to protect fell on my foot," he says. the wheel behind it and slid off time . . . it lands on his foot . . . but against cold in winter, heat in sum- "I didn't know what hap- when he began pushing it. he's saved from injury. . . mer. pened to me until I checked (6 Ive, always worn safety What saves him is a tiny steel cap "If something very heavy crushed myself. The shoe was all busted. shoes," Mr. Thompson says. built into the toe of his safety shoes. the steel cap, it would cut through The steel toe was split. "But now they seem to me more Shaped like a dome and weighing the toes.'' Fact: Anything as heavy "But there wasn't a scratch comfortable than ever." slightly more than an ounce, the as that would crush the toes anyway. steel cap is designed to withstand But with objects not quite so heavy, heavy pressures. a steel toe-cap may be dented but For example, an Altoona employe that will produce a mere bruise in- had a 1500-pound lift machine roll stead of an amputation. over his foot. It dented the toe of his "I don't handle heavy things, so safety shoe, but left his toes un- I don't need safety shoes." Fact: harmed. Somebody else who does handle Safety shoes are sold at about 50 heavy objects might accidentally locations on the PRR, and may be drop one on your toes. And even a bought through convenient payroll small object falling from a height deductions. can cause injury. "All Railroaders in maintenance "Safety shoes are expensive." or transportation work owe it to Fact: The styles most often bought themselves to wear safety shoes- by railroaders range from $10 to $13 and most do," says Joseph A. Bonel- a pair-about the same as the prices li, PRR manager of safety. for men's street shoes of comparable "Unfortunately, some don't get quality. safety shoes because of incorrect Mr. Bonelli concludes: impressions," Mr. Bonelli says. "Since you're going to get work He lists some commonly heard ob- shoes anyway, why not get shoes - jections-and the facts: with built-in protection for your Mr. Thompson is presented with new shoes by E. R. Stickel, superinten- t "Safety shoes hurt your feet." toes? dent, Wilmington Shops. With them is Al Zecca, acting safety inspector. - Fact: Proper fitting assures complete "It's the smartest buy you'll ever - comfort. make."

When coin fans get together at happens when a coin Plans are for the club to hold Whcollector meets a coin col- monthly meetings at which the lector? Answer: You've got a members will compare new coin club going. finds, swap coins, hold auctions Take the case of James H. Kil- and keep up with coin news. a:" '*- "-- -$ cullen, assistant inspector of Mr. Kilcullen got started on communications and signals in coins 10 years ago, when a rel- the Philadelphia Division. Talk- ative willed him a small collec- ing on the phone to a coin col- tion. His most prized item is an lector in Baltimore, Mr. Kilcul- 1845 two-cent piece. len learned that another PRR Mr. Fisher was drawn into collector had recently been the hobby by his wife. A native transferred to Philadelphia. of England, she was fascinated This was Philip G. Fisher, su- by the different coinages of the pervisor of demurrage. two countries and started a col- Mr. Kilcullen promptly ar- lection of American pennies. ranged to meet Mr. Fisher. He took up from there. With an hour, they had made "Don't go into collecting to plans for a PRR Coin Club. get rich," advises Mr. Fisher. They're now spreading the "Speculators have lost a good word around, to enlist mem- deal recently as the price of bers. Mr. Kilcullen, who lives coins has gone down. at 933 Dale Road, Secane, Pa., "But if it's an endlessly en- is temporarily serving as secre- joyable hobby you're after, you P. G. Fisher and J. H. Kilcullen examine a 1921 Morgan dollar and other prize specimens. tary. won't find a better one."

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited APPRECIATION fromthe Duke and Duchess On one of the runs from Palm Beach, Fla., to New York, the Flor- KEEGAN ida Special met with a delay south of Baltimore. Aboard were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The delay caused them to rearrange their plans, and the details were worked out by PRR personnel at Pennsylvania Station, New York. This incident, and previous deal- ings with the Penn Station personnel, brought a letter to the PRR from the royal household. "Their Royal Highnesses wish me LYNCH DODSON to convey their congratulations and thanks for the assistance of such a well-trained and pleasant staff," wrote Janine Metz, private secretary to the Duke and Duchess. She commended George B. Keeg- an, station master, for "his perfect sense of organization." She praised Martin J. Dunleavy, assistant station master, for his "kind, poised and efficient manner." These two, she continued, "were OLCOTT DUNLEAVY greatly assisted by a personnel Wide World Photo obviously belonging to the same in the Chesapeake Region," wrote 20 miles from his home, if it were "Yesterday, there was a natural school, with deep knowledge of their James A. Laadt, of Philadelphia. needed immediately," wrote the anxiety due to the delay of the respective jobs, sense of initiative "On a recent trip to Baltimore I girl's father, John Gruenberg, 2nd. 4: 28," Mr. Duffy wrote. "In his kind- and smiling willingness." She re- noticed that Mr. McKay's handling "This courtesy was declined with ly way, Conductor Noble apologized, ferred to: of passengers was exceptional. He thanks; instead, it was to be left at explained the cause, promised to do Vincent C. Lynch, chief clerk, and was pleasant, courteous, smiling and the Merion station. the best he could to get on the way. Raymond A. Martignetti, clerk, in most refreshing in this age of me- "When Mr. Hartman was unable to "After the first few groans, the the station master's office; Van diocrity. leave the pocketbook at Merion, he passengers were actually syrnpathet- Buren Dodson, supervisor of station "I recall vividly Mr. McKay wip- again called and advised that it was ic to the problems he faced. That's porters; and Lieutenant Leslie B. ing the hand supports as we left the at the Station Master's Office in real public relations." Olcutt, of PRR Police. train, just so our hands would not Penn Center. I picked it up in the In praising Conductor Noble as Miss Metz summarized the work get dirty." afternoon. "the essence of courtesy and kind- of these men and their aides in two "On behalf of my daughter, I wish ness," Mr. Duffy also commended words: "Magnificent efficiency." to call these courtesies and thought- other PRR men who work the lo- After alighting from the Paoli fulness to your attention. Mr. Hart- cals between Media and Philadel- The mark of a good company is Local, 15-year-old Ellen Gruenberg, man did us-and the PRR-a fine phia: that its people give their best not of Bala-Cynwyd, Pa., discovered she service." "It has been a pleasure to com- only to Very Important Persons but had left her brand new pocketbook mute for the simple reason that all to everybody who comes in the door. on the train. By the time she What do you do when a passenger conductors and trainmen have a Here are a few other examples of reached home, a phone call came train is delayed? Here is what Con- cheery 'good morning' and a pleas- PRR people providing service in the from Conductor H. R. (Dick) Hart- ductor L. E. Noble did, according to ant 'good night.' How the railroad best PRR tradition: man, who had found the pocketbook. a letter from an admiring passenger, ever assembled such a fine group "I would like to pay a compliment "He was kind enough to offer to Patrick Duffy, an official of the Post of employes should be a lesson for to William J. McKay, a conductor bring it to our home, some 18 or Office Department at Philadelphia. public relations corporations."

"A few days later, we had $65- calls Mr. Cuff. more than enough to take the chil- A woman passenger treated them Walter Cuff had an idea dren for the 36-mile ride to Hunt- to sodas. The ride took about half an ington." hour, and the children haven't stop- and it made happy The tickets cost 89 cents each. ped talking about it yet, says Mr. 24 kids What was left over was used to buy Cuff. pecially kind to the youngsters, all coloring books, paints and crayons. The theme of the story, he con- of them from the day care center op- "Those kids were really excited cludes, is that happiness can be an erated by the Mifflin County Asso- when they got on that train," re- 89-cent train ride. ciation for Retarded Children. For Mr. Cuff, a PRR baggageman PRR men plan children's trip at Lewistown: R. J. Watson, W. C. Biddle, W. W. Cuff, with 25 years' service, watching the T. J. Patterson, H. C. Caper, C. W. Lennartz, C. E. Barnham, C. W. Pecht, M. E. Barry. children was a heart-wrenching experience as he thought of the nine normal youngsters he has raised. One day, after overhearing one of the teachers comment about how much the youngsters loved trains, Mr. Cuff went to freight agent Wal- ter Biddle with a suggestion: "How about arranging a train ride for the wice each week, for several years, kids?" Ttwo dozen children have walked "Mr. Biddle thought it was a pret- to the Lewistown, Pa., PRR station ty good idea and he posted two from their school three blocks away. notices asking for donations," says Their mission: To watch the trains Mr. Cuff. "One was put on the door go by. at the passenger station and the oth- Walter Cuff and his fellow worker at the office of Yardmaster Thom- ers have made a point of being es- as Patterson.

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited OPENLINE REPORTS FROM ALL OVER average of only 43 passengers on No. 570, and 46 on No. Highballing toward the High Speed 571, and most of the passengers ride only a portion of the -The PRR is investing approximately $25 million to pre- 395-mile run. FROM THE pare its right of way for the High Speed Passenger Ser- Passengers, mail and express can still be handled on vice between Washington- and New York. And the im- the remaining night-time train between Buffalo and provement program is right on schedule, said John F. Harrisburg snd the two round trips between Harrisburg Piper, the PRR's chief maintenance-of-way officer, in an and Baltimore, it was stated. address before the New England Railroad Club in Boston. The discontinuance is in line with the PRR's policy to The improvements, he said, include installing new withdraw trains which have been deserted by passengers welded rail, strengthening the overhead electric power switching to highway or air transportation, and to con- "I see your newspaper through the system, rebuilding four major bridges, installing new centrate its resources on building up passenger service courtesy of the various PRR agents switches and making changes at three passenger stations. in areas with growth potential. whom I call on here in Indiana. In addition, the PRR is paying more than $11 million You carry many articles of interest of the $21 million cost of purchasing 50 new self-pro- to me as Traveling Freight and Pas- pelled passenger cars. The Federal Government is put- Santa rides the rails-PRR people moved an senger Agent for the Santa Fe Rwy. ting up $9.6 million. estimated 25,000 carloads of Christmas mail and express In your article on Four Winds The new service, scheduled to begin late this year, is this season, and about 6 percent of this was carried in Travel rail cruises, the statement is actually a marketing test, Mr. Piper said. The purpose is trailers on TrucTrain flatcars. This use of piggyback "has made, 'At Phoenix, Ariz., the vaca- to determine how the public will react to fast, frequent added a new dimension to Christmas mail handling and tioners take a motor tour of the trains of luxurious, ultramodern design. has stepped up efficiency," said Merle W. Arbaugh, PRR Grand Canyon.' Well, sir, the Grand "We think the trains will be successful in bringing to superintendent of mail service. Canyon is in Arizona but not at the rails many thousands of travelers now using. other Beginning December 1, the PRR operated 11 special Phoenix. Perhaps a motor tour is means," he said, "and thus will help relieve pressure on mail and express trains daily, some with as many as 50 made from Phoenix to the Grand the airways and highways of the Northeast Corridor. cars. These were in addition to the regular mail-express Canyon, but I want you to know it "The Pennsylvania Railroad believes that intercity trains. The specials ran between such major points as New is possible to go to the rim of the passenger service in highly populated corridors of less York, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Canyon on the rails of the Santa than 300 miles has a potential." Chicago and St. Louis. There were also more mail and Fe."-L. E. Mitter, Indianapolis, Ind. The newest trains will increase the service between express cars on regular passenger trains. Washington and New York about 45 percent. There will Peak volume of Christmas mail was on Friday, De- "May I write to tell you how much be hourly schedules between New York and Washing- cember 16. This follows a pattern of recent years. A I enjoyed your "News," which one ton, and half-hourly between New York and Philadelphia. generation ago, the highest mail volume occurred much of your employees kindly gave me High-level platforms will be built at Baltimore, closer to Christmas Day. to read. It is one of the best company Wilmington and Washington. Cross-over switches will be publications I have seen in quite a installed at Baltimore and Philadelphia. while."-F. W. Smallenburg, sales engineer, General Railway Signal Station change in Pittsburgh area-PRR Company, New York. passenger trains formerly stopping at East Liberty, just Merger hearings continue-additionalhear- east of Pittsburgh, now stop at Wilkinsburg instead. The "I have always appreciated receiv- ings on the Penn Central merger were held last month change went into effect December 1. The new stop, two before the Interstate Commerce Commission at Wash- ing The Pennsy, especially since re- miles further east, fits the changing population pattern in tirement,! as it helps keep you in ington. The purpose was to review the conditions the Pittsburgh's suburbs and will be convenient to more I.C.C. had set up to protect the Erie-Lackawanna, Dela- touch with what is happening among passengers. the boys who are still in the ranks. ware & Hudson and Boston & Maine railroads against East Liberty had historic significance as the terminal loss of traffic that might result from the merger. I retired as a Yard Master, Altoona for the first trains to travel on a continuous rail line from Yard, January 1,1960, after 49 years, The PRR and the New York Central have accepted the Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, in 1852. original conditions. 2 months and 12 days service. I worked out of Philadelphia on spe- However, the two railroads opposed another proposal, which is that they should be obliged to make up any cial duty for several years in traffic, Year-end dividend-~t~~kh~id~~~of the PRR, so I believe you can see I not only capital losses to the three smaller railroads. The Pennsyl- who include many Railroaders, received a regular quarter- vania Railroad and the New York Central contended that was acquainted with many in the ly dividend of 60 cents per share plus a year-end extra Philadelphia offices but throughout the Interstate Commerce Act does not provide any basis dividend of 30 cents, payable on December 22. the entire system, together with the for such a provision. Chairman Saunders said the dividends were author- fact I loved my work and it gets The I.C.C. announced that hearings on the inclusion ized with the expectation that the merger with the New into your blood-that is, if you were of the New Haven Railroad in the merged Penn Central York Central will go into effect without prolonged delay a dedicated employee."-Milton S. will begin on January 16. and provide additional resources for buying new equip- Emeigh, Altoona, Pa. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of the United States ment and making needed improvements on the Railroad. has scheduled January 9 for arguments concerning a de- "Earnings for 1966 will show a substantial improvement cision by a Federal District Court. The latter court had over 1965," he said. "However, our net income and rate of ruled against delaying the merger. Several railroads that return are still far from satisfactory. For the 12 months favor delay are appealing against this decision. Each side ending September 30, our net railway operating income in this proceeding will be allowed four hours to argue its amounted to only 2.09 percent return on our investment position before the Supreme Court. in railroad properties." The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a brief with the Supreme Court recommending that the merger not go into effect until the I.C.C. completes action on the protective conditions for the three smaller railroads. Public aid for passenger service-~h,,, However, the Justice Department emphasized that it is a growing recognition that railroad passenger opera- does not quarrel with the merits of the Penn Central tions are a public service and are entitled to assistance merger. It pointed out that the agencies of the Govern- with public funds, said John E. DeGrange, Regional pass- ment concerned with policies affecting transportation and enger agent at Pittsburgh. Addressing the Greensburg the nation's economy "believe that the merger is in the (Pa.) Lions Club, Mr. DeGrange said that "better service public interest and that its consummation should be can be developed only through the joint efforts of private promptly effected." enterprise and government. "In terms of economy, railroads are a tremendous bargain for the tax-payers, who can buy at least 20 times "Didn't I warn you not to give as much transportation for their tax dollars than if the any back-talk to the talk-back?" Discontinuing two trains-~h, PRR has an- same amount were spent on expressways." nounced plans to discontinue its daytime passenger trains The Pennsy is published by the Pennsyl- between Buffalo and Baltimore-No. 570 southbound and vania Railroad Company for its em- f 571 northbound-on January 15. More freight cars-samuel Rea shop has been ployes. Address any communications to The Pennsy, Room 1042 Transportation E An important factor in the decision was the action of working on an order for 1000 new hopper cars for unit Center, Six Penn Center Plaza, Phila., the Post Office Department in taking off its postal cars coal trains, and 200 gondolas. Both types are of 100-ton Pa. 19104. last August. The loss of postal revenue has aggravated capacity. During 1966 the PRR has placed in service 1508 Editor the out-of-pocket losses, which totaled $356,000 during boxcars, 684 hopper cars, 748 gondolas, 425 multi-level JOSEPH SHALLIT the past 2% years, reported David E. Smucker, PRR vice rack cars for hauling new autos, and 2 jumbo tank cars. Staff Photographers president, operations. The Railroad has also received 60 new diesel locomotive THOMAS M. SKILTON In a statement filed with the Interstate Commerce units, ranging from 2800 to 3600 horsepower. Forty more NELSON hl. STICKLER Commission, Mr. Smucker said that there has been an units are due for delivery during January.

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net Original document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg ©2010 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited ( Phip!!nna. 1 Permit No. 2734 THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY ROOM 1042 TRANSPORTATION CENTER NUMBER SIX PENN CENTER PLAZA PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19104 C*C.LIND~UIST 13 KUSSFLL ST I WARRFfV PA 16355 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD p

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