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From: "Paul R DOT Tupaczewski" paultup AT comcast DOT net
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:37:54 -0500
Subject: And now for something completely different (and RARE!)
"M_E_1_on_Rabey_trial-Whippany_NJ-11-17-40-Steve_Hepler_coll.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1269x795 (24bit)

Thanks to the generosity of Steve Hepler, here are some VERY rare images
from the 1930s and 1940s on the Morristown & Erie Railroad, with DL&W and
Erie content!

Steve acquired these prints several years ago. The majority of these prints
depict the experimental "Rabey Automotive Unit 2" that was tested on the M&E
between the DL&W connection in Morristown and the interchange yard with the
Erie at Essex Fells. The Rabey unit appeared to be a truck with a large
ballast load in its bed, slung between two rails that suspended it at a
constant height above the track. It appeared that the rear wheel was the
primary source of propulsion.

The test train consisted of a borrowed Erie low-clerestory coach (I think
that's what that is?) and the M&E's caboose #1 (former DL&W bobber #4).
I've never seen any details of this vehicle besides these photos and the one
test run, so I assume it was a bit of a flop? I can't imagine there was too
much tractive effort here, especially with a mechanical transmission.

As an added bonus, there are two shots of not-often-seen M&E steam
locomotives #2 and #8, both at morristown in 1933.

Enjoy!

- Paul


M_E_1_on_Rabey_trial-Whippany_NJ-11-17-40-Steve_Hepler_coll.jpg

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