The Pennsylvania, with 30.4 Percent of the Ballots Cast

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net - Document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg - ©2011 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited ts of Nation Railroad PENNSYLVANIA RAILRO "Ra;lroad fhaf showed rmprove

STUART T. SAUNDERS "Railroad man of the year"

The upsurge of the Pennsylvania, with 30.4 percent of the ballots cast. What was the most important rail- America's "New Look" railroad, has Second was Ben W. Heineman, board road event of 1964? won recognition throughout the in- chairman of the Chicago & North The Modern Railroads readers dustry. Western Railway, with 21.2 percent. gave first rank to the settlement of That is made clear by a poll which The third question was: What was the work rules case. After that, they Modern Railroads, a national maga- the outstanding railroad for 1964? chose: The merger of the Norfolk & zine of the railroad industry, con- The Norfolk & Western got the Western with the Nickel Plate and ducted among a cross-section of its most votes-29.1 percent. Other rail- the Wabash; other merger develop- 25,000 readers. The results were an- roads that received substantial num- ments; the growing use of unit trains nounced in its January issue. bers of votes were: Pennsylvania, for hauling coal and other bulk com- The first question in the poll was: Florida East Coast, Chicago & North modities. Who is the Railroad Man of the Year Western, Atlantic Coast Line, Santa The last question in the poll was: -the person who did the most for Fe, B&O, Missouri Pacific, South- What was the outstanding develop the railroad industry during 1964? ern, Southern Pacific and Union ment in railroad 'hardware' or equip- STUART T. SAUNDERS In first place was Stuart T. Saun- Pacific. ment during 1964? Chairman, PRR Board of Directors ders, chairman of the PRR Board of The fourth question was: What The items listed most often were: Directors. He received 27.3 percent railroad showed the most improve- High-cube and other new types of of the votes. In second place was ment during 1964? boxcars; other kinds of special cars; PRR People Note J. E. Wolfe, chairman of the National The Pennsylvania Railroad came new types of locomotives; new types Railway Labor Conference, with 15.6 first, with 22.2 percent of the votes. of track maintenance machines; and Many Signs percent of the votes. The PRR was followed by the Chi- devices to weigh loaded cars while Of PRR Improvement The next question was: Who was cago & North Western, with 18.1 per- coupled and in motion. the person most in the railroad news cent of the votes; Florida East Coast, Below, typical PRR employes talk during l964? 15.3; Baltimore & Ohio, 11.1; New about some of the things they've Here again, the readers of Modern York Central, 10.3. noted that help explain why PRR was Railroads voted Mr. Saunders first, The next question voted on was: voted the most improved railroad.

"Working on freight cars all day road has been a national leader in think our customers have been notic- long, I can see several reasons why establishing low rates for trainloads, ing the improvement on our rail- the Pennsy was picked as the rail- low rates for heavier loading per car, road." road showing the most improvement. low rates for a specified annual vol- I mean, I can see all the new cars ume of business. We're also doing a we've been getting-Cushioned Cars, better job in tracing cars and keep- jumbo boxcars, stock cars. We're doing the shipper informed. We're ing a better job of repairing cars, noticing a new, aggressive spirit too; our bad-order ratio is much among our freight salesmen. They lower than before. That means fewer know they have a better product to cars sitting around waiting to be sell and they're selling it with more Signal Foreman Robert A. Berg, fixed-more cars on the road, doing enthusiasm than ever." Harrisburg Division: "I've noticed business, bringing in the money that we've been getting new devices, such pays our wages. Freight cars are the as hotbox detectors and wheel check- backbone of our service, and this ers that detect defects in car wheels. kind of improvement is boosting the These things will contribute to the whole railroad." safe running of the Railroad. These kinds of improvements, plus such things as new cars and unit trains, show the Railroad's deep interest in George Ogilvie, yardmaster, Island what the public desires in trans- Avenue Yard, Pittsburgh Division: portation and special facilities." "The amazing increase in TrucTrain traffic is one of the big things I've noticed. I know our Railroad has enlarged and improved TrucTrain terminals at many points and built new ones. And we've been adding more trains for TrucTrain traffic. Patrick J. Byrnes, conductor, Tifft When I see these trains barreling by Yard, Buffalo, Northern Division: here, I know we're on the upgrade. "The changes in our yard setup in Trains spend less time in the yard the Buffalo area are enabling our -we get them through fast. cars to make better connections, so "New equipment has contributed Harry H. Muller, clerk, Office of we're giving shippers better service. a lot. So has rearranging of service Regional Sales Manager, Philadel- And I note that we're giving cars to make better train connections. phia: "It's really no big surprise to more careful handling, too. On the We've changed schedules any num- me that the PRR was picked as the unit trains that come in here, we're ber of times to take care of new railroad showing the most improve- moving the cars out faster. The re- business. We're a New Look railroad ment in 1964. Here in Sales. we can ceivers like this. and it keew the in manv wavs. I'm deased that Andrew Banchak, car inspector, 55th see the many things that are being yard clearer. people will comekhere railroadVpeopfeall over the country Street Yard, Chicago Division: done. Rates, for instance. Our rail- they get the best service, and I have noticed that."

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net - Document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg - ©2011 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited n these days of skiing, scuba diving I and sky diving, when sports become more and more expensive, Mel- vin N. Ginter says you'll find most Grabbed by a 'hoodlum' He grabs the grabber And sends him flying fun and health in a sport that costs almost nothing. sistant is slim, wiry Charles D. Corl, Judo, in Japanese, means "the gen- In judo, says Mr. Ginter, a PRR PRR air-brake examiner (the "as- tle way," Mr. Ginter explains. It was car distributor at Buffalo, N.Y., the sailant" in these photos). developed by monks to defend them- only equipment you need is a padded Currently they have 25 students selves against highwaymen without mat. The only uniform is a white in an adult education class at West injuring them. It differs from jiu canvas coat, and that's optional. You Seneca High School, in suburban jitsu, which aims to injure or kill the don't even need shoes. You have a Buffalo. Previously they taught 25 opponent. In judo, practiced as a great time while learning a practical men of the Lackawanna, N.Y., police sport, the object is simply to get the method of selfdefense, he says. force, and YMCA classes at Tona- opponent off-balance and throw him The stocky, muscular Mr. Ginter, wanda, N.Y. to the mat. who learned judo at the Tokyo Police Their students have included PRR "You're never too old for judo," Academy while stationed in Japan men: Electrician G. F. Breidenstein, Mr. Ginter says. "We've taught men U.S. with a Military Police unit, now Fireman L. B. Woodard and Fireman in their 50's, and in Japan I've seen But it's all in fun teaches the sport in Buffalo. His as- J. A. Cooper. men 80 years old practicing it."

On the 'New Look' Pennsy:

"We're doing all this on one of the busiest parts of the Railroad, and in NEW BRIDGES GO IN FAST the heart of a city," Mr. Mays points ost of the 60 men working on out. "We've got to avoid tying up the M bridge renewal at Chester, Pa., Railroad or jamming city traffic. were on furlough when this big con- That's constantly on our minds." struction project was planned. The The work program goes like this: Railroad called them back to work Each new bridge girder-all- and brought them to Chester from welded, completely fabricated, with five PRR Divisions-Northern, Lake, its final coat of paint-is delivered to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Chesapeake. a storage ~ardnear the project. "And despite different work back- There one group of PRR men puts on grounds, they have formed one of the ties, with spacing bars to secure them. finest heavy construction teams I've Another group, meanwhile, is re- seen," says J. W. N. (Nels) Mays, moving the old span and shipping it assistant engineer of structures, who off for scrap. They repair piers and is in charge of the job. backwalls, put in new concrete "This is a new kind of project, us- where needed, and install new ma- ing new principles and methods, and sonry plates, upon which the girder the interest and adaptability these will rest. men have shown are vital in helping When that is done, the new span us push it through in minimum time." is put on a flatcar at the storage yard, In 58 days, all spans on Track 2 is brought to the site by work train, have been completed, and the track and is placed in position by derricks. is back in service. Work is now pro- The tense moment comes as the ceeding on Track 1. girder comes down on the masonry When the entire project is done, plate. Men watch to see that the 10 old bridges will have been re- holes in the end of the girder fit ex- placed with 10 new ones, consisting actly on the anchor bolts that had of 100 spans. Seventy-six spans on been concreted into the pier. other bridges will be repaired with "Another perfect fit," General new concrete and steel work. In all, Foreman James D. Jones calls out, A "box girder," of a type new in railroad bridge work, is lowered into place un- about 700,000 pounds of new steel and the men relax-and then get der floodlights, in bridge renewal project at Chester, Pa., Chesapeake Division. will go in. started on the next span.

Girder is loaded on flatcar at storage PRR men prepare roadbed for outriggers 1. K. Meyers, the welding foreman, and General Foreman J. D. Jones guides the yard. This new "orthotropic" type pro- which will steady the derrick when it J. W. N. Mays, engineer in charge, watch girder down on masonry plate, making vides more clwrance for city streets. places new girder at the bridge site. the girder being lowered into position. sure it fits precisely on anchor bolts.

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net - Document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg - ©2011 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited e're on the lookout for men portation, Mechanical, Engineering, "Wwith potential for future lead- Industrial Engineering, Sales, Per- ership," states J. E. Kennedy, PRR sonnel and Finance. Says Mr. Ken- manager, employment practices and nedy: Men selected from PRR ranks . . . training. "Anyone among our PRR people "There are more opportunities who feels that he is qualified for the than ever," he adds, "for men hav- apprentice program, or who feels ing the qualities that fit them for there is an employe in his group who- future management positions-qual- is qualified, should contact the near- TRAINING ities such as initiative, willingness est superintendent of personnel or to assume greater responsibility, assistant superintendent. eagerness to learn." "Those selected as apprentices will In the PRR's continuing search for be assigned to work in a variety of tomorrow's leaders, Mr. Kennedy job situations so as to give them a FOR points out, the Railroad is looking in thorough knowledge of how the Rail- two areas: road functions." (1) On college campuses, promis- The length of time spent in the ing seniors are interviewed for pos- training program will vary according sible admission to the PRR's ap- to the department. For personnel ap- MANAGEMENT prentice training program. prentices it averages about 18 (2) Within PRR ranks, employes months; for transportation appren- with leadership potential are also tices, two years. being interviewed for this program. The PRR, Mr. Kennedy notes, is JOBS This opportunity is open to present recognized as a pioneer in such re- employes with or without college cruiting and training. training. For engineering personnel, the didn't look carefully within our own Railroaders who are presently en- The apprentice training program PRR has maintained such a program Pennsylvania ranks. rolled in the apprentice program and offers participants the opportunity for over 60 years. For non-engineer- "Many have had a combination of those who have recently completed to broaden their background and ing people, the program has been in ex~eriencesA which would make it training, like those pictured below, understanding of PRR operations effect since 1957. easier for us to identifv them as testify to the value of this PRR un- and so prepares them for increased "Our Company feels quite strong- potential management material. A dertaking. responsibilities. ly," says Mr. Kennedy, "that in our man may be going to school at night, $6 Our apprentice program," Mr. This program is conducted in many search for management talent it for instance, and demonstrating his Kennedy sums up, "is a big step in departments of the Railroad: Trans- would be a great oversight if we ambition and drive." building the Railroad of Tomorrow."

Ronald Radke, 29, is a personnel Gale A. Hursey, 27, a transporta- Thomas C. Sheller, 34, supervisor Walter C. Roekey, Jr., assistant apprentice serving in Cleveland. He tion apprentice at Pitcairn, Pa., of labor relations, Harrisburg Divi- train master (night) at Greenwich never attended college, but has taken started with the Railroad as a fire- sion, came up through a PRR ap- Yard in South Philadelphia, shown correspondence courses. man at Columbus in 1956. prenticeship. He did not go to college. giving work orders to Yard Con- "I believe that the Pennsylvania Following Navy service from 1957 Mr. Sheller recently handed out ductor A. F. Decker, is an "old grad" Railroad's management training pro- to 1959 in jet mechanics at an air cigars, on the arrival of a baby sister of the transportation apprentice program is an excellent one," Mr. Radke station (he likes flying, has over 100 for his two sons. He's from a PRR gram, though he's only 29. comments. "It helps to give you a hours as a student pilot in light family: His late father, Thomas E., Mr. Rockey began working for the good overall picture of day-to-day planes) and graduation from Iowa was captain of police in Altoona; his Railroad in 1957 as a clerk at Mingo operations." State in June, 1964, he returned to brother, Leroy, is a train dispatcher Junction, Ohio, while a student at Mr. Radke is married and the fath- the Railroad and entered his present there. An amateur photographer, Mr. Ohio State. Following his gradua- er of three children, two boys and training program. Sheller also likes gardening. tion in June, 1962, he signed up in a girl. He started his Railroad career Mr. Hursey began his apprentice- He started on the PRR as a yard the Pennsylvania's training program. as a stenographer in the assistant ship at Cresson, Pa., "riding trains clerk in Delmar, Del., in 1950, later His first assignment was in Indi- trainmaster's office in Cleveland in in and out of there, getting to serving "all over the Delmarva Divi- anapolis where he served, except for 1953. He later progressed to assistant know the track qd transportation sion doing everything from selling six months of Army duty, until Jan- movement director, then to move- operations." tickets to calling crews." uary, 1964, when he was transferred ment director, all in Cleveland. Then came tours of duty at Al- He became a crew dispatcher be- to Thurlow in Chester, Pa., as a He liked transportation work, he toona-"becoming familiar with the fore entering the Navy, in 1952, then yardmaster trainee. That July he was states, but the field of personnel movement of traffic through the rejoined the PRR in the same capac- named to hi present post. management interested him even terminal"-and at Georgetown Yard, ity. He later moved to Thurlow at Mr. Rockey, whose father is assist- more. And so he took the opportu- near Cadiz, Ohio-"helping the as- Chester, Pa., as yardmaster. ant superintendent of marine trans- nity to enter the PRR training pro- sistant trainmaster, observing yard "In 1957 I had a chance to join the portation at Jersey City, met his gram in June of last year. clerical operations, instructing train ~ersonnelapprentice program," he wife, Judy, on the Railroad. "She Aside from a short stay at System crews, and learning a great deal says, "and I took it. Here was a pro- was a PRR secretary in Terre Haute headquarters in Philadelphia, he has about how the Railroad is run." gram with 18 months of good, solid when we met," he explains. spent his apprenticeship thus far in This past December he moved to training. I began in Baltimore." Mr. Rockey is a PhiLlies fan, likes the Lake Division personnel office in Pittsburgh, working with the rules Later, a series of advances in per- hunting and fishing, and "just watch- Cleveland. examiner and crew dispatcher, and sonnel and labor relations led to his ing" the stock market. He considers it all worthwhile brushing up on safety regulations. present post in 1964. He sums up: "The apprentice program," he says, grounding for the future. As he puts In January of this year he was as- "The apprentice program was the "provides valuable insight into vari- it: "My work now involves a variety signed to Pitcairn Yard. greatest thing that happened to me. ous departments and how their of personnel matters of train and Mr. Hursey, who is single, is fa- Without a college education, I was work relates to yours. The broad engine service. vorably impressed with the whole fortunate enough to get in a pro- experience it gives you can pay off "It's really basic training for an program: "PRR men are doing a lot gram tailored for college graduates. -like here at Greenwich, where examiner's position, specializing in to help-they want me to learn as "Once you're in it, you're all in the we try to dispatch ore trains every the operating side. I'm certainly glad much as I can, and do as much as I race on equal terms, as you prepare four hours when we hake a boat I joined the program." can. That suits me fine." for the future." working."

How Railroaders Help Keep It Low

rs. Smith is a typical housewife. M She wouldn't know a unit train if she saw one. But this new rail service is helping her manage her budget while she enjoys the use of convenient, abundant electric power to ease her daily chores. Unit trains, hauling coal at reduced rates to electric power plants across the country, have helped the power firms cut their costs by about Conductor Bruce Eberly shifts cars at $50 million a year, states Joseph E. Electric devices help ease life for the busy housewife. Unit trains, hauling coal Penna. Power & Light's York Haven plant. Moody, president of the National from mines to electric power generating companies, help keep her electric bill low. Coal Policy Conference. And a large part of the savings, he adds, will go to consumers in the form of reduced electric rates. The PRR has led in developing the unit train idea: fast, regularly sched- uled runs between producing and consuming points for bulk materials like coal, ore, grain and gravel. The Railroad now runs nearly 300 "coal expresses" a month on the unit train principle. The most advanced version of this is now serving Penn- sylvania Power & Light Company. Here the PRR provides the crews and power; PP&L provides the cars, tailor-made for the job. A high-speed, 74-car train shuttles between western Pennsylvania mines and two PP&L plants, at York Ha- ven, Pa., and Martins Creek, Pa. "This represents another break- through in cutting fuel costs," says an offidal of PP&L. "Savings are realized in speeding up the 'turn- around' procedure. Empty cars can now be returned in about two days. "Savings also are realized because there is no need to switch and re- route cars to a number of separate destinations. Most important to PP&L, however, is that the unit Dumper speeds unloading of unit-train cars at Phila. Electric's Eddystone plant. train means further gains in our continuing drive for new economies, states W. Parker Stuart, PRR gen- equipment. which are passed on to our consum- eral coal sales manager. He points "But we face challenges: generat- ers in the form of lower rates." out: ing stations built right at the mine, Special facilities for fast loading "Electric firms burn some 200 mil- eliminating the need for rail hauls; at the mines and unloading at the lion tons of coal a year-about half imported residual oil to replace coal; plants contribute to this operation. of all coal burned in the U.S. And and nuclear energy plants. So do on-time runs by PRR crews. nearly two-thirds of the coal burned "Only by all-around teamwork can PRR unit train heads for the new Chalk "Railroaders, like consumers, have for electricity is delivered by rail- Railroaders meet these threats and Point plant of Potomac Electric Power a big stake in economical, efficient roads having almost $3 billion invest- keep rail-hauled coal the best buy Company in PRR's Chesapeake Division. movement of coal to power plants," ed in coal-hauling and coal-handling for electric power companies."

homas Williams, a PRR electri- is on vacation, gives communion to The Reverend T cian in New York, saw the light shut-ins, and works with young peo- while attending church one day in ple in sports (basketball is his "pet") 1958. and choral singing. It was a bright vision of service "To me preaching is the greatest to God, the inspiration to become a calling anyone can have," says the preacher. As Mr. Williams tells it: Reverend Williams. His wife, Pecola, "I was always interested in church agrees. Formerly in hospital service, work and now I realized my goal was she now helps her husband in church the ministry. My pastor at St. Paul's work. "I believe we have the perfect Community Church suggested that I marriage," she says. enroll at Shelton Bible College." Their son, Walter, 21, is studying So Mr. Williams began studying to be a lab technician. Mr. Williams for the ministry at night while work- joined the PRR in 1946, following his ing at Penn Station during the day. father, Silas E., now a retired Rail- In 1961 he was ordained to the dea- roader. As the minister notes: conate, and in 1963 attained his full "People who've known me over eldership. He was thus qualified as the years think of me as a Railroader a regular minister but without his rather than a preacher. Both fields own church. have been rewarding in giving me a He takes charge when his pastor better understanding of people."

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net - Document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg - ©2011 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited Patrolman J. R. Logue guards the 'Pull- Car Inspector Robert G. Cooper checks man City' set up at Union Market Yard. brake shoes of sleeper at Union Market.

lnauguraf ion Day

PRR cooks, Tony Rudd, Homer Wilber and Sales Representatives G. H. Schaeffer John Hill, Jr., prepare chow for the and H. C. Clayton check arrival times In Washington Coast Guardmen in diner at Pullman City. and tracks on electronic transcriber. shifting reefer cars, setting up extra newsies who were prevented from PRR men handle the big rush in stride floodlights, checking interlockings taking the trip due to school exams, ailroaders may not have shown Then there was Train Dispatcher and lubricating switches. They ar- were given a makeup visit to Wash- R up at any of the Inaugural Balls Bruce Woodrow, who helped keep ranged for water, fuel and sanitary ington later. but they were there for President traffic flowing smoothly from the facilities for the Coast. Guardsmen, Elmer F. Schrumpf, PRR special Johnson's Big Day. Baltimore nerve center of the Chesa- who spent the night in the parked movement supervisor, points out that They helped move a tide of PRR peake Division; and Operator Irvin Pullmans. arranging for equipment and other travelers, as varied as the West Myers, controlling switches and sig- While the city of Washington was details for these moves had been Pointers shown above, newsboys nals at Landover Tower, just north getting into the festive spirit, PRR worked out months in advance. treated to a Washington trip by their of Washington, where PRR freight men were busy in this Pullman City. paper, and the Governor of Indiana. and passenger lines diverge and Electrician Richard Shiflet, fnr ex- Their assignments varied as much where the heavy movement into ample, charged batteries on the 51 as that of Patrolman John R. Logue, busy Union Station was monitored. passenger cars at the yard and made who was assigned to protect the It was at Landover that two trains sure the diners had standby electric "Pullman City" set up for 955 Coast of Coast Guardsmen, from New Lon- power from portable generators. Guardsmen in Union Market Yard, don, Conn., and Cape May, N.J., Car Inspector Robert G. Cooper at Washington; and Sales Represen- were switched into Union Market made sure the water supply was tative Joseph M. Broughton, who es- Yard, normally a receiving point for replenished. corted the Connecticut Governor's perishables. Altogether the PRR ran nine spe- Foot Guard from New Haven. Hours earlier, PRR men were busy cial trains plus extra cars on regular trains for the Inaugural. The passengers included 700 West Pointers, routed to a B&O yard via PRR, and F. G. Robinson serves Indiana Governor 392 Philadelphia newsboys. Other Branigin and his wife during PRR trip.

Philadelphia newsboys, treated to Wash- Coast Guardsmen line up at Union Market ington trip, arrive at Union Station. Yard before departing for the parade.

Connecticut Governor's Foot Guard, moved by PRR, pass President's reviewing stand.

- - - - = Villanova University students Mr. Stephens' interest has car- who choose the subject of trans- ried him into forgotten"corners - - portation for term papers have a of railroad history. He has dis- i - friend in C. S. Stephens. Agent covered the graves of 28 rail- - at PRR's passenger station near roaders who died in a cholera - $ the campus, he lets them use his epidemic in 1832. They were collection of railroad lore. I building the Philadelphia & Co- - - It consists of books, maps, time- lumbia Railway, a predecessor of - tables and other mementoes of PRR. The grave site, marked - the PRR and other railroads of only by a border of stones, is - - - the US.,Europe and Asia. just west of Paoli. -=

hen Howard Van Buskirk was W a boy in Akron, Ohio he had two fascinations: b rains rolling by and aircraft zooming overhead. When he grew up, he settled on both: Railroading as a career, aero- nautics as a hobby. He joined the PRR as a freight handler in 1933, is now agent at Minerva and Waynesburg, Ohio. But it was many years before he could arrange to take real flying lessons. His first solo fight was in 1957. By this time his wife, Adelyle, had con- Ready to move, he calls airport tower, tracted the flying bug; and by 1958, New Philadelphia, O., for okay to fly. she was soloing, too. They both now are licensed pilots, the Indians' baseball stadium; or each with more than 300 hours in to a small airport at Cumberland, the air. They're among the few hus- Md., "where you can get a good cup band-and-wife pilot teams in Ohio. of coffee and a fine view of autumn The Van Buskirks had their own foliage"; or to Niagara Falls, for a Piper four-passenger Tri-Pacer for a breathtaking view of the cataracts. time, then sold it and relied on They plan to fly to Altoona soon rented planes, but now are planning to get a bird's-eye view of the famed to buy a Piper four-place Cherokee. PRR Horseshoe Curve. They like four-passenger planes Mrs. Van Buskirk admits that so they can give rides to friends and other women consider her flying family. Their daughter Wanda and hobby somewhat "oddball." They her husband and four children, aged make up names for her-"Amelia 2 to 7, have all flown with Grandpa Earhart," "the Flying Grandmother." and Grandma Buskirk. Son Howard They might consider her even Van Buskirk, 11, began taking flying more unusual if they could see her lessons, but was called into the engaged in her indoor hobby: mak- Navy. He's now a Naval aircraft ing model airplanes. mechanic. She'll do almost any job around The flying couple has a variety an airplane, her husband' says. But of favorite air trips. They may fly her femininity does show through. to Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, "She won't change the oil." he Howard Van Buskirk, PRR agent, and his wife, both pilots, plan another air trip. where they're a short walk from says. "Hates to get her hands messy." BACKGROUND REPORT What happened to Pittsburgh suburban service

lot of people were unhappy when "Now that we're acquainted, let's go Pittsburgh. A suburban trains in the Pitts- steady." In 1960, the PRR announced it burgh area ended their service on What happened? would request permission to end its November 27, 1964. On the first day of the experiment, Pittsburgh commuter service. The A lot of people felt that this PRR almost half of the new riders went Pittsburgh Port Authority promptly rail service was essential to this busy back to buses and trolleys. By mid- asked the PRR to come forth with a plan for preserving and improving we pmn~Pwk .mnd Pltubu* .ha- wthilll metropolis-to reduce the number week, the extra trains were averag- mtrong a wrsonal feeling of of autos on crowded highways and ing fewer than 35 passengers each, the service. I the eome to Bay &hvr that tbc I help keep the city from choking in compared with 250 during the strike. traffic and parking problems. At the end of the week, the extra A lot of people felt that way, but trains had to be taken off. there weren't enough of them-at "We gave it the old college try," least not enough who had the con- said J. A. Appleton, then vice presi- viction that this was a public serv- dent at Pittsburgh, "but it didn't ice requiring public funds. work out." For ten years, officials of the PRR Since then, PRR officials have have been trying to find a solid basis repeatedly warned that the Rail- ed with its own plan"for taking over for preserving suburban service at road could not continue to absorb the city's trolley and bus lines but I 1 ALL ABOARD 1 Pittsburgh. the commuter service financial loss omitting the railroad lines. It stated "Why don't you expand service- (which even at its lowest point aver- that railroad riders could be "ac- run more trains to attract more aged about $1000 a day). The only commodated adequately" by the riders?" people asked repeatedly. solution, the Railroad said, was some combined system of trolleys and The Railroad tried that very thing. kind of financial support from the buses. In May and June, 1954, there was a local government. The PRR continued its efforts to strike of Pittsburgh bus and trolley The problem was easy to under- be included in the Port Authority's operators. The PRR put on 22 extra stand: Commuter trains are busy plan; but at the same time appealed trains daily in addition to the regular only two hours in the morning and to the Interstate Commerce Commis- 36 trains. Passengers increased from two in the evening, five days a week. sion and the Pennsylvania Public 8,000 a day to more than 25,000. City It is impossible to meet expenses on Utility Commission for permission to officials, the public and the press that basis. On the other hand, the discontinue the trains. praised the service. trains are performing a public serv- As PRR Vice President Morton S. When the strike ended, the Rail- ice by lightening the peak loads on Smith put it: "We want in (under road announced a dramatic experi- the highways. Without the trains, Port Authority operation) or out (of ment: It would run the extra trains more highways and parking facilities the commuter business) ." 1 I for a week to see if the new riders would have to be built, and the cost On October 27, 1964, the Port would stick. It promised to keep any would be far greater than the sum Authority announced its final de- In the top message, given to commuters, train that received enough business needed to keep the trains going. cision not to take over PRR subur- the PRR explained why the service ended. to meet the expense of operating it. That point of view became the of- ban lines. The bottom one was printed by a cornmu- In pamphlets and newspaper ads, ficial policy of the City of Philadel- And on November 27, the subur- ter. On the reverse side, he thanked the PRR said to the commuters: phia, but did not make headway at ban trains made their last runs. PRR people for their "many courtesies."

Downloaded from http://PRR.Railfan.net - Document from the collection of Rob Schoenberg - ©2011 - Commercial reproduction or distribution prohibited President plans new Retirement Tax takes biggest bite~anuarypaychecks re- flected the increase in the Railroad Retirement Tax from 7Y4 percent to 8% high-speed rail service I percent of the first $450 of earnings each month. That means an increase in the tax from $32.06 per month to $36.56 per month, or a new yearly tax of President Lyndon B. Johnson, in $438.72. The Railroad pays an equal amount per employe, and $16 per month his State of the Union message, an- additional into the Unemployment Compensation Fund. This provides a big nounced he will ask for funds "to advantage to trucking, airway and waterway firms, which are under Social study high-speed rail transportation Security, and the tax per man is only $174 per year. between urban centers. We will be- gin with test projects between Boston and Washington. On high-speed trains, passengers could travel this PRR race train begins operation-with the opening of the distance in less than four hours." horse racing season January 11 at Bowie, Md., the PRR began operating a President Johnson also said he will daily special from Philadelphia directly to the track. The train includes a recommend "heavier reliance on snack bar and a coffee shop car featuring hot lunches and sandwiches. competition in transportation," thus Combination tickets, which include special train fares and admission to the implying more freedom in the mar- grandstand, are available. ket place between the various forms of transportation, instead of rigid year-~lthough America's freight rail- Government controls. Truckers had a His proposals were hailed by Penn- roads increased their revenues by 2.5 percent in 1964, trucking firms en- sylvania Railroad officials. Board joyed an increase of 7.2 percent. This was reported by Charles A. Webb, Chairman Stuart T. Saunders stated: new chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission. He also stated that "President Johnson's remarks regarding transportation offer great encourage- revenues of bus lines increased 4.7 percent, while railroad passenger rev- ment to the Nation's railroads. enues fell 15.5 percent. Mr. Webb said he is hoping for a report and recom- "The President indicates his recognition of the urgent need for high- mendation soon from the examiners who held hearings on the proposed speed rail transportation, particularly in the increasingly congested Boston- merger of the PRR and New York Central, but he declined to predict when to-Washington corridor. I believe that his support will bring the prompt and the report will come through. decisive action necessary to implement this project. The Pennsylvania Rail- road has cooperated with the Department of Commerce in its studies so far, and we are ready now to participate in the testing phases. It is fortunate that we already have an electrified line between Washington and New York which can be adapted to high-speed passenger train service. "The President's recommendation for heavier reliance on competition in transportation coincides with the rail industry's objectives of more flexi- bility in rate-making and improved opportunities to compete on a more equitable basis with other modes of transportation."

DOCk strike hurts the P RR- ore than a -hundred Pennsylvania Railroad employes were furloughed as a result of the strike of East Coast longshoremen-the men who load and unload ships. Loaded freight cars approaching the ports for overseas shipment were sidetracked as the strike began on January 6. Other shipments to the ports were canceled by shippers. At the end of the first week of the tieup, the PRR had lost more than half a million dollars' worth of freight business.

Needed: covered gondolas-~he PRR9scovered gondolas are in extreme demand for hauling coiled steel, reports Harry D. Morris, who man- ages the Pennsylvania Railroad's special equipment fleet. Steel prodyction is at the highest level since March, 1960, he said, "and every effort should be made to keep these cars moving."

Bargain fares go into effectspecial round-trip fares for week- TV while YOU ride- arki in^ a new first in railroad history, tele- end travel, cutting costs by one-third, went into effect on January 30 be- vision receivers are available in all coaches, lounge and recreation cars on the tween Washington and New York. Some 275,000 persons took advantage of Atlantic Coast Line's Florida Special, which is operated by the PRR on the a similar offer last year, and the PRR expects to attract even more riders New York-to-Washington portion of the run. The deluxe train previously this year, said John B. Dorrance, general manager of passenger sales. Ex- introduced such features as movies, fashion shows, bingo and songfests. amples of the savings: Round-trip coach fare from Washington to New York, regularly $21.30, is only $14.20 with a special weekend ticket; Philadelphia to New York costs $5.75, instead of the regular $8.60. Similar reductions are Increase in hotbox detectors- he PRR has completed instal- in effect between Baltimore, Wilmington, Trenton, Newark and terminal and lation of 59 new detectors, making a intermediate points. Passengers are provided with a fleet of 108 modern total of 83 in service. They are reclining-seat coaches, 70 of which were placed in service within the past spotted at locations where hotboxes two years, Mr. Dorrance pointed out. most often occur, on the main line or at entrances to yards. The PRR has also installed its first two wheel Court continues temporary ban on railroad strike checkers. These new devices, lo- -The U. S. Court of Appeals on January 25 let stand a lower court's tem- cated near Harrisburg and Morris- porary order blocking a strike by three shopcraft unions against the Nation's ville, Pa., detect loose wheels, broken railroads. The Court let the ban remain until it rules on whether the three treads and broken flanges. unions-Machinists, Sheet Metal Workers, and Electrical Workers-are the proper bargaining agents in this case. These unions have rejected a 27d-per- hour settlement accepted by 21 other railroad unions and are demanding The Pennsy is published by the Pennsyl- a 364 increase. The railroads have till February 17 to file briefs, and the vania Railroad Company for its employes. Address any commnnications to unions have 30 days after that to file answers, following which the Court The Pennsy, Room 1042 Transportation will hold hearings. Center, Six Penn Center Plaza, Phila., Pa., 19104. Editor Support for President's education goals-d6~believe that JOSEPH SHALLIT President Johnson is reflecting the will of the citizenry when he sets out to Staff Writer broaden educational opportunities," said PRR Chairman Stuart T. Saunders CHARLES W. HART in a speech before the Michigan Colleges Foundation, Inc., at Detroit. "He StaffPhotographers expresses the aspirations of every responsible person to give his children THOMAS M. SKILTON better preparation for coping with the complexities of life, which are mul- "There's a question I've been NELSON M. STICKLER tiplying at a bewildering pace." wanting to ask you . . ."

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