Nostalgia & History > From The Same Roll Of Film - PC Not At Brewster (Part eight)

This was in the same envelope of 35mm negatives taken in Brewster, Ohio on July 3, 1973. This brings an end to those images taken from that one glassine envelope.
PC 4246 is westbound past Fairhope Tower in Canton, Ohio on or near July 3, 1973. On the point of PC "Mail 9" are an E8A, E8A, E7A, E7B, E8A, and another E7A.
Bob

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What a shot !
All those tired PC E units look pretty impressive.
Gary
 

As a reminder, each unit only powered 4-axles...
Each loco carried 2 separate diesel engines...
Each 12-cyl eng/gen set only powered two traction motors..

Not much when it comes to trying to haul freights..

​W.

wcamp1472 Wrote:
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> As a reminder, each unit only powered 4-axles...
> Each loco carried 2 separate diesel engines...
> Each 12-cyl eng/gen set only powered two traction
> motors..

Correct, and their minimum continues speed was a big issue.

> Not much when it comes to trying to haul
> freights..

And with their 36" diameter wheels and high-speed gearing, not to mention the lack of automatic backward transition, E Units make really crappy freight units.

> ​W.

Excellent ! Looks like a solid set of Flexi-Vans too. 4246 ended up in commuter service on NJT and lasted into the 80s.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/20 15:27 by perklocal.

wcamp1472 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a reminder, each unit only powered 4-axles...
> Each loco carried 2 separate diesel engines...
> Each 12-cyl eng/gen set only powered two traction
> motors..
>
> Not much when it comes to trying to haul
> freights..
>
> ​W.

I believe these Flexi-Van mail trains operated at passenger train speeds. Enough HP there to overcome the few hills along the ex-NYC route.

"Mail 9" ran through Canton, Ohio on the ex-PRR mainline.
Bob

Very nice catch and well composed action photo.
Saw a WB PC Mail train at Indianapolis Union Station in mid-August 1971 while laying over from arrival on WB George Washington for departure on SB South Wind.
The Mail train was stopped for a crew change. It was powered by two E7A units and had a solid Flexi-Van consist with a rider coach tacked on the rear end. The Flexi-Van cars on this train had steam and signal lines.
The crew coming on duty was friendly and I had the opportunity to talk with them.
They said that PC used E-Units that Amtrak did not want but were still servicable to run off their last miles on Mail trains that essentially were express trains that were operated pretty much like passenger trains. The crew indicated they would prefer new units but expected the E-Units would last for some time on Mail trains.
Was pleased that I had the opportunity to see one of these interesting trains and even more pleased that I chatted with the crew.
ALLEN

Thanks for sharing this photo Bob.  That's a lot of E units!
TC

Oh wow! Those were the days. Just at the beginning of my railfan consciousness. Great photo.