Nasadowsk wrote:Once above 30mph, power could not be reapplied on the MP-54s after selecting 'off' on the controller, without risking TM damage (flashover). At least on the early 7 and 9 switch Westinghouse units. I hear some of the later ones were a bit better (and more bizzare)
50mph? I doubt they ever got that fast between stations. From what I've heard, they tended to not want to run at those speeds very long.
They didn't ( get up to 50 MPH between stations) Sometimes the PRR would use a consist of 54's as a second section on one of the Phila-NY trains, or they'd be pressed into mainline service on "special movement"days-- like the Army-Navy game. PRR found during these kinds of uses, however that the traction motors tended to burn out with sustained 50 MPH running-- so the
top speed may have been 50 or even 60 MPH, but their
effective top speed was much slower.
I rode the cars frequently in the 1950's and 1960's, and actually didn't dislike them. They are the trains I saw, and rode on the most. With the traction motor noises, the smell of ozone which surrounded them, all enhanced by the fact that you
had to ride with the windows open during the spring and summer, they were much more interesting than their successors---- a railfan's dream. Howver, for the general riding public, they were a nighmare.