ROGER WILLIAMS TRAIN

[shlustig]

Did the modified-RDC Roger Williams train run into GCT?????

[CarterB]

For operation into Grand Central Terminal, the cars were each equipped with third-rail shoes, and small traction motors, allowing them to operate into the terminal under electric power, with their engines shut down.
The third-rail operations never worked very well, so–like the John Quincy Adams and Dan’l Webster, the Roger Williams lasted in this service less than two years.

[TomNelligan]

Roger began running between South Station and Grand Central on April 27, 1957, making one round trip a day on a four-hour schedule. Basic propulsion was diesel hydraulic like all other RDCs, but it also had one traction motor per car for electrical operation into GCT. It ran thusly for about a year before being broken up and relegated to commuter service out of Boston.

[DutchRailnut]

3 cars still exist, two end cars and one center car, owned by RDC Foundation of Jimmy Gagliardi (of Savin Rock).
The cars probably are still at Hobo railroad.

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[Jeff Smith]

I thought they were at DRM.

[DutchRailnut]

long time ago. all 5 cars went to hobo rr, one car #41 is now running on Naugy.

[Aerie]

I was working at Northeastern University at the time (1980s) before the NEC was depressed, and used to see it going by on the way to Needham Heights every day.