Helpers on passenger trains

[twropr]

in diesel days did PRR ever use a helper to assist a heavy passenger or mail train out of Altoona or over Keating Summit? Were helpers ever used to assist a heavy passenger train, hauled by a single GG1, out of Baltimore or north out of Washington?

Andy

[jaygee]

Most certainly on the East Slope, in Diesel days. From late '55 on, you primarily had the Alco DL600a / RSD7 ...PRR class APS 24ms. Geared for 77 MPH, these big girls were the Penn's last Alco 244 engined units, and were V16s at 2400 HP. The dedicated PRR passenger helper pool was integrated with the freight snapper pool around 1961, with the reduction of passenger miles and trains.