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From: Daniel McFadden dan DOT mcfadden AT gmail DOT com
Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:35:33 -0500
Subject: Re: (erielack) Train Lengths for DL&W/EL MU's
"19840824-201-Hoboken-RESIZED.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1517x1000 (24bit)

A great reference for the DL&W MU equipment is the GE Review of November 1931. This was published after full electric service was running in January 1931. A cover shot is attached. The maximum train length is given with a slight hedge as follows: All of the electric equipment was designed on the basis of a maximum train consisting of six of these units or twelve cars, although in emergency, more cars can be operated on a train.

So it is pretty clear that all three lines could handle 12 car trains if so desired. The first revenue passenger run is described as follows: The first passenger carrying multiple-unit electric train operated by the Lackawanna Railroad was run between Hoboken and Montclair, a distance of 13.1 miles, on September 3, 1930. It consisted of 12 cars and was operated by a qualified engineer under the supervision of a road foreman of engines.

Speaking just from my own experience in the early sixties, I regularly saw every train length from 2 to 13 on the main line with the exception of 3 and 7. Although I did not spend much time on the Gladstone Branch, my notes do show a ten car train running there in that time frame.

It is mildly interesting to note that both the first and last revenue runs of the MU trains were 12 car trains – two shots of the very last train on August 24, 1984 are attached.

Another great detail from this magazine is that the trailer cars went to ACF Berwick twice for the conversion to electric operation. They could not afford to take 141 steam coaches out of service at once, so batches of 20 went to Berwick for electrical gear but kept steam lines and went back into commuter service. Once electric service began, they went back to Berwick to get electric heat and have steam lines removed.

In connection with the trains with odd car counts, we of course know that at some time, they made up some three car sets, two power cars plus a trailer. The Denville tower man, Jimmy Morris, told me they also tried a three car set with one power car plus two trailers but too much time was lost, especially starting out of Short Hills.

Dan



19840824-201-Hoboken-RESIZED.jpg

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