by Cactus Jack
Back in 1974 when EL and PC began operating via Utica after the Poughkeepsie Bridge burned both PC and EL consists were used. At times when power was mixed for power balancing, it was never MU'ed as "the MU between the two railroads locos was not compatable". I always believed this to be a 27 pin MU jumper issue.
However, there are photos of EL and PC Big Uboats on the EL near Port Jervis that seem to indicate that the two railroads power did MU as early as 1971 - 72. After Conrail began in 1976 ... and in the very early months of Conrail there are photos and I recall ex-EL units MU'ed in dogs breakfast consists with PC power.
So, what is the real story ? Did EL just not want PC units to be MU'ed out of Utica with PC power and the story given that practice could not be done? Was Conrail ultra-efficient in quickly rewiring MU wiring and tracking units that were compatible for mating up in consist ?
Anyone know the EL and PC 27 pin jumper arrangement designations ?
The other thing was that the EL 900's would not MU with the 1200's, true ? When the 900's started running into Utica in the early 1970's they were "orphans" not ever mixed with anything else.
However, there are photos of EL and PC Big Uboats on the EL near Port Jervis that seem to indicate that the two railroads power did MU as early as 1971 - 72. After Conrail began in 1976 ... and in the very early months of Conrail there are photos and I recall ex-EL units MU'ed in dogs breakfast consists with PC power.
So, what is the real story ? Did EL just not want PC units to be MU'ed out of Utica with PC power and the story given that practice could not be done? Was Conrail ultra-efficient in quickly rewiring MU wiring and tracking units that were compatible for mating up in consist ?
Anyone know the EL and PC 27 pin jumper arrangement designations ?
The other thing was that the EL 900's would not MU with the 1200's, true ? When the 900's started running into Utica in the early 1970's they were "orphans" not ever mixed with anything else.