EL The Erie Railroad remembered in old paperwork

BoxcabE50 Jul 20, 2020

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,562
    22,736
    653
    Have completed and uploaded my Erie Railroad train order collection. For those who might be interested in the very first railroad to ever move trains by paperwork, or wishing to operate your model RR empires more realistically, you might find this interesting!

    The page is here: https://train-orders.com/TOUR/E/ERIE/ERIE.html

    Just a sample:

    [​IMG]
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  2. Dave1905

    Dave1905 TrainBoard Member

    266
    285
    22
    That is a form D-R train order. It is used on "double track" to allow a train (No 1 Eng 827 in this case) to run against the current of traffic.

    On a real railroad in the train order era, "Double track" was a specific type of operation and signal arrangement. There were rules and train order forms specifically for operation on double track, they are prefixed with a D (as in train order form D-R). Double track was two or more tracks that were signaled in one direction on each track and trains operated on signal indication with the current of traffic. The order talks about "eastward track" that's because there was an eastward (EWD) track and a westward (WWD) track. The EWD track had signals only for an EWD train and the WWD track only had signals for a WWD train. The signals were ABS, automatic, not dispatcher controlled. Trains operating with the current of traffic only needed a proceed signal and they could go, no other orders needed.

    However trains operating against the current of traffic on a track were operating in non-signalled territory (dark territory) and had to have train orders to move, hence this order.

    As soon as this order was issued, EWD trains on the EWD track, would have to stop/be stopped at BO Lackawaxen Crossover and wait there to meet No 1 Eng 827. The order would be in effect until No 1 Eng 827 reached BO Lackawaxen Crossover.

    No 1 Eng 827 was a WWD train and it appears there was something going on on the WWD track between Parkers Glenn and BO Lakawaxen (maintenance, congestion, etc) and the dispatcher was willing to delay EWD trains to keep the WWD train moving. Passenger trains (and No 1 was a passenger train) moving with the current of traffic could move at 79 mph, but passenger trains trains moving against the current of traffic were limited to 59 mph because it was unsignalled territory, so No 1 is going to take a delay in crossing over twice and running at reduced speed, but that was evidently less of a delay than leaving it on the WWD track.

    Also note that railroads use "eastward" and "westward" instead of "eastbound" and "westbound". That's one of those things where using "proper" terminology can make a model railroad seem more authentic and is "scenery" that doesn't cost a thing and takes zero time to do.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,562
    22,736
    653
    I have pointed this history out in the past. But it doesn't seem to change any of the constant errant use of "bound". In fact I have even had a few foamies jump on me about even mentioning it. Apparently it disturbs their expert little universes.
     
    Hardcoaler likes this.
  4. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,680
    44,881
    142
    Wow, that's a fine collection there Ken! The TO written at Jersey City on 09/29/1951 annulling #501's run to Wanaque Midvale is on a line close by where I lived in the early 80s. Torn out north of Pompton Jct., NJ when I lived there, it's really neat to see that.(y) Also cool is the 11/17/1944 TO written at Sussex Jct. governs an L&NE move on Erie tracks from Pine Island north to MQ Tower near Campbell Hall, NY. Using trackage rights, the L&NE used the Erie's branches through this region to form their main line.

    The Erie's ownership of the NYS&W is reflected in some documents too. The Erie jettisoned the NYS&W in 1940.

    Interesting too is that the documents through numerous decades show a Trustee. It seems that the Weary Erie was always in and out of bankruptcy reorganization.

    I found this Erie system map on the back cover of a 1918 freight tariff I found in a file drawer in an office I worked at 60 years later. It's an ambitious map, as it includes a number of connecting lines as if they're Erie owned. ;)

    Erie Railroad Map of 05-20-1918.jpg
     
    gmorider likes this.

Share This Page