I am not too familiar with the history of the Erie, but I came across this picture of some Erie electric MU units parked somewhere around 1916. I thought the Erie only acquired electrification when it merged with the Lackawanna. What is the history of the Erie electrified branch line shown?
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Erie Electric MU units
- Discussion relating to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Erie, and the resulting 1960 merger creating the Erie Lackawanna. Visit the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society at http://www.erielackhs.org/.
Moderator: blockline4180
That's the Rochester - Mount Morris electrification in NY around the 1907-1934
Bring back the Slumbercoaches!!
Thanks CarterB
Why did the Erie select this branch line to electrify? Was this an experiment that the Erie chose not to replicate, especially as the diesel era began to emerge.
Why did the Erie select this branch line to electrify? Was this an experiment that the Erie chose not to replicate, especially as the diesel era began to emerge.
Some answers here:
http://www.erielackhs.org/joomla/old_ht ... ation.html
Photos here:
http://www.erielackhs.org/joomla/old_ht ... allery.php
Also a hint at the "why"
"ERIE RAILROAD.
Erie Railroad Company has, since June, 1907, operated a 37-mile
single-track electric branch, between Rochester and Mt. Morris, N. Y.,
for passenger service over steam railroad tracks.
Electrification was for the purpose of preventing competition and for
economy of operation. There was also a desire to try out electric traction.
Power is transmitted over the Niagara, Lockport & Ontario Power
Company's 3-phase, 165-mile line, at 60,000 volts. A substation,
located at Avon near the middle of the road, contains three 750-kw.,
60,000- to 11,000-volt transformers. Single-phase, 25-cycle, 11,000-
volt power is used.
Cars consist of six 48-ton motors, and six 28-ton coaches. Three or
four car trains are operated on the multiple-unit plan. Each motor car
has four 100-h.p. motors.
Operating results published are to the effect that the gross earnings
for passenger service, based on ticket sales, have increased 40 to 50 per
cent.; also that the operating cost under the usual operating and main-
tenance headings of the Interstate Commerce Commission averages 18
cents per car-mile. The motor-car mileage per annum is 250,000, and
the trail car mileage 75,000. "
http://www.erielackhs.org/joomla/old_ht ... ation.html
Photos here:
http://www.erielackhs.org/joomla/old_ht ... allery.php
Also a hint at the "why"
"ERIE RAILROAD.
Erie Railroad Company has, since June, 1907, operated a 37-mile
single-track electric branch, between Rochester and Mt. Morris, N. Y.,
for passenger service over steam railroad tracks.
Electrification was for the purpose of preventing competition and for
economy of operation. There was also a desire to try out electric traction.
Power is transmitted over the Niagara, Lockport & Ontario Power
Company's 3-phase, 165-mile line, at 60,000 volts. A substation,
located at Avon near the middle of the road, contains three 750-kw.,
60,000- to 11,000-volt transformers. Single-phase, 25-cycle, 11,000-
volt power is used.
Cars consist of six 48-ton motors, and six 28-ton coaches. Three or
four car trains are operated on the multiple-unit plan. Each motor car
has four 100-h.p. motors.
Operating results published are to the effect that the gross earnings
for passenger service, based on ticket sales, have increased 40 to 50 per
cent.; also that the operating cost under the usual operating and main-
tenance headings of the Interstate Commerce Commission averages 18
cents per car-mile. The motor-car mileage per annum is 250,000, and
the trail car mileage 75,000. "
Bring back the Slumbercoaches!!
Thanks CarterB for that information and the great link. The Erie MU cars looked like super coaches for the time period.