The Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern "Hoodlebug"

[Aa3rt]

Just thought I'd open up a topic for older self-propelled units. Both the Bessemer & Lake Erie and Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern called their gas-electrics "Hoodlebugs" instead of the more common "doodlebug.

From the great Planet Smethport site, here's a link to the PS&N Hoodlebug...

http://www.smethporthistory.org/clermon ... oodle1.jpg

[ACLfan]

OK, you hit my curiousity button! Why did they call them "Hoodlebugs"?

I think the answer has to do with the "unique" sound that the units' horns made.

A smaller unit on a long-since-gone shortline in Florida was named the "Hoodler" because of the sound of its horn.

ACLfan

[Aa3rt]

Good question-Paul Pietrak, in his book on the PS&N, says that no one knows where the name originated. As far as I know, only the B&LE and the PS&N used the term.

Actually, I'd posed your question on the last version of this forum but no one had an answer. One poster did inform me that the Erie Railroad called their gas-electrics "Go-Devils".

Anyone else with regional names for gas-electrics? Join the conversation!