PC: those care free 70's and Boston Commuter Trains

[ebulman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

As I recall (I attended high school right next to the Needham branch line
from 1972-76), they were made up of ex-NH 75xx series GP-9s and ex-NH
stainless steel sided cars (a couple with PC green side bands, most NH
orange) during peak times and by single RDCs during off periods. Maybe some
ex-PRR cars (16xx series?) once in awhile. Not too bad.

I remember the night of my graduation, which took place on the football
field. As the valedictorian spoke, it appeared that all of the equipment
that made up trains that terminated in Needham headed back into Boston
passed by for one noisy minute in one long train. I tried to remember the
engine #s and number of cars (20?; it included RDCs too!) but I was too
amazed to focus my attention that well. The valedictorian looked pretty
stressed as he tried to tactfully talk over the grinding steel rails and
growling engines.

I do recall that one of my classmates shouted out, "Hey Ed, where's your
camera?"

Ed






DougTblood <DougTblood -AT- aol.com> on 04/10/98 02:04:11 PM

Please respond to penn-central -AT- smellycat.com

To:   penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
cc:    (bcc: Edward Bulman/BIDMC/CareGroup)
Subject:  Re: PC: those care free 70's and the future




I'm pushing 46 myself. Watching PC dog's breakfast commuter
lashups on Needham branch out of Boston from my window at
work got me started on railfanning and modeling in '75. Those
trains were probably more interesting to look at then they were
to ride, they looked like they could have dropped their last
passenger off and gone straight on to the scrap yard :^).
Doug