Monday, January 14, 2008

21 Years On The Erie Railroad

After officially taking the relief job at the Cleveland, Ohio passenger station, I, naturally, had to learn the job. I did receive much help from most of the people involved, expecially the Baggage Agent and the two Asst. Baggage Agents. However, since no one had bid on the job before, the regular people were working their jobs seven days a week, picking up quite a bit of over time. Since I had bid on the job, and been awarded it, I kind of spoiled their nest eggs.

However, I made up my mind that since I bid on the job, was awarded the job, I was going to work the job, come hell or high water. The first month or so was not very happy. Some stumbling blocks were thrown in my path; however, the people involved soon found out that when I made up my mind to do something, I did it. Gradually, things improved, and by the first of March I had just about fit in with everyone.

At that time, the Cleveland passenger station was a very busy place. If memory serves, the day started at 3:30 a.m. with Train Number 687, a train that ran from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania thru to Detroit, Michigan, the routing being Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad from Pittsburgh to Youngstown, Ohio; Erie Railroad from Youngstown to Cleveland, and the New York Central from Cleveland to Detroit. A P&LE engine was used from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, where a NYC engine took over. At 5 a.m. the return move arrived from Detroit, powered by a New York Central engine. The P&LE engine that arrived from Pittsburgh on Train 687 was used to take this train, Train 688 to Pittsburgh. Trains 687 and 688 were almost always powered by a 9200-series Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 4-6-2 Pacific, not as large as the Erie 2900 series Pacifics.

At 8 a.m. Train Number 624 departed, heading to Washington, DC via Erie to Youngstown, P&LE from Youngstown to Pittsburgh, then Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Pittsburgh to Washington. An Erie engine was used on this run from Cleveland to Youngstow, always a 2900-series Pacific.

Immediately after Train 624 departed, a commuter train arrived from Youngstown, usually powered by a small Erie Pacific, with no baggage or mail cars on the head end. It stopped at almost every station on the route from Youngstown to Cleveland, brought many workers who lived in the small towns to their daily jobs in Cleveland.

After the commuter train arrived, things were quiet until 11:45, when Train Number 625 arrived with coaches and Pullmans from Jersey City, New Jersey. Train 625 started from Jersey City as Train Number 5, The Lake Cities, which was broken up at Youngstown, Ohio. Part of the train went west from Youngstown to Chicago as Train 5, The Lake Cities, while the balance of the train went to Cleveland as Train 625. Both these trains were powered by a 2900-series Pacific.

At 1:00 p.m. Train 626, heading to Youngstown and Pittsburgh departed, powered by an Erie Pacific as far as Youngstown.

Things were again quiet until 3:25 p.m., when Train 685, from Pittsburgh to Cleveland arrived, usually powered by a 2900-series Pacific. This train had coaches for Detroit, but were switched to the Cleveland Terminal by New York Central power.

At 5:15 p.m. Train 686 departed, heading for Youngstown, with a connection there with Train Number 6, The Midlander, heading to Jersey City, and the balance of the train going to Pittsburgh. This train was usually powered by a 2900-series Erie Pacific.

Shortly after Train 686 departed, the Cleveland to Youngstown commuter train departed, with many stops along the way.

Things were again quiet until 9:30 p.m., when Train 623, from Pittsburgh to Cleveland arrived, again powered by a 2900-series Erie Pacific.

And, finally, Train 679 from Pittsburgh to Cleveland arrived at 11:40 p.m., usually powered by a P&LE 9200-series Pacific engine.

Train 679 usually carried a car, called a storage car, almost completely filled with U. S. mail. At that time, an 8-man crew, not employed by the Erie Railroad, came in about midnight to help with the mail. I'm not really sure who they worked for, but they surely did do a wonderful job in clearing up the mail. In fact, all of the trains arriving or departing from the Cleveland passenger station carried U. S. mail, with the exceptions of the two commuter trains. Most of the trains carried something called a R. P. O. car (Railway Post Office car), with a usual 4-man crew, and this crew sorted and bagged mail enroute.

More later about my adventures on the Erie Railroad in Cleveland.

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