Erie Lackawanna MU Cars

Lackawanna MU

A Lackawanna MU at Short Hills, New Jersey in 1978.
In service As MU: 1930-1984
Manufacturer Pullman
GE,
Bethlehem Steel (Low-roof combines)
Replaced August 24th, 1984
Constructed Motor: 1929-1930
Low-roof trailers: 1925
High-roof trailers: 1912-1921
Refurbishment none
Number built Motor: 141
Low-roof trailer (coach): 50
Low-roof trailer (combine): 10
High-roof trailer (coach): 68
High-roof trailer (combine): 5
High-roof trailer (mail): 3
High-roof trailer (club): 5
Total: 282
Number preserved 156 (97 trailers, 59 motors)
Number scrapped 127
Formation Motor-trailer pair
Operator(s) Delaware, Lackawanna and Western,
Erie Lackawanna,
Conrail (under NJDOT),
New Jersey Transit
Specifications
Car body construction carbon steel
Car length ~70 ft 1 in (21.36 m)
Width 9 ft 11 1⁄2 in (3.035 m)
Height Motor: 12 ft 11 in (3.94 m)
Low-roof trailers: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
High-roof trailers: 14 ft 3.75 in (4.3625 m),14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
Floor height 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)
Doors 2, end vestibule
Maximum speed 63 mph (level track); 75 mph (downgrades)
Weight Motor:
Trailer: 109,500 lbs.
Prime mover(s) 4x255hp General Electric DC traction motors
Power output 1,020 hp (760 kW)
Acceleration 1.5 mph/sec
Deceleration 1.75 mph/sec
Train heating Electric heat, openable windows
Electric system(s) 3000 V DC catenary
Current collection method pantograph
AAR wheel arrangement B-B
Braking system(s) Pneumatic
Coupling system AAR
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The MU (multiple-unit) commuter cars of New Jersey's Erie Lackawanna commuter lines were a type of multiple unit commuter railcar developed for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W). Most of the construction for the overhead catenary (wire) system was done in 1929 and 1930. The MUs first served commuters on the DL&W's Morristown Line starting in New Jersey in 1930, although most of the trailer (non-powered) cars had been already in service for several years already being pulled by steam locomotives. The subscription parlor cars (club trailer cars) dated back to 1912.

History

The MU's were inaugurated with fanfare on September 3, 1930 when the aging inventor Thomas A. Edison, a key proponent of DC current (the source of electric power for the MUs), drove the first train for the first mile along its 13 mile trip from Hoboken to Montclair, New Jersey. The service was extended in phases to other towns that would have yards to store the trains: South Orange, Summit, Gladstone, Morristown and Dover. Plans to extend electrified service west, for freight service, possibly as far as Scranton, PA, was investigated by the Lackawanna. The plans were abandoned due to cost, particularly since the timing of the extension coincided with the arrival of the Great Depression. The MUs did travel beyond the electrified district on occasion, particularly after World War II when there was a shortage of rail cars available. Unpowered MUs, pulled by steam locomotives, travelled on the Sussex Branch to Branchville, NJ, for instance, during the immediate post-war timeframe.[1]

Over the years, the distinctive Pullman green cars were considered to be extremely reliable. Thomas T. Taber, in his book on the DL&W, called the Lackawanna MUs "...probably the finest multiple unit cars ever built." Their reliability remained excellent into their fourth decade of service, but suffered during the final years of their 54 year tenure in service.[2][3]

These trains were run by four different railroads: the Lackawanna Railroad (1930-1960); the Erie Lackawanna Railroad (1960-1976); Conrail (1976-1982); and finally, NJ Transit (1983-1984). The cars were retired after their final runs on August 24, 1984. The DC power distribution system was retired at that point and a 25,000 volt 60 hertz AC power distribution system, which was installed and tested over the previous several years as part of the re-electrification project, was switched on. Arrow III MU cars, which continued to run to and from Hoboken, initially replaced the Lackawanna MUs. The introduction of Midtown Direct service to New York City in 1996, however, would prove problematic as the Northeast Corridor Line into Manhattan still used the original Pennsylvania Railroad 12,000 volt 25 hertz AC distribution system. Given that the Arrow III cars were not engineered to easily switch from one voltage to another, it was necessary for NJ Transit to acquire new locomotives, ALP-44s, to handle the new service.

A westbound Lackawanna MU shown here stopping on the express track (Track 1) at Mountain Station in South Orange, NJ in 1982. Note the repainted lead car which was part of a minor refurbishment carried out on some cars during the late 1970s and early 1980s due to delays in the re-electrification of the line.

The Lackawanna MUs were built from a combination of new motorized units (built by General Electric and Pullman) and converted coaches as trailers. These cars were semi-permanently attached to each other in pairs (trailer car-power car), with the trailer car on the westbound (Dover-facing) end of the train. Most of the trailer cars were built by Pullman. Typically, trains were limited to 6 pairs of these units, i.e. 12 cars. Although, due to the loss of a trailer car in a 1962 accident, its unmatched power car was placed into the middle of a 13-car train that was run during rush-hours only during the Erie Lackawanna years, the Tom Taber Express. New Jersey state law restricted the length of commuter trains to a maximum of 13 cars. Although with the unmatched power car in the pool of available cars, it was theoretically possible to have every combination of train length from two to 13 cars, the most common train lengths seen were 2 and 4 car trains off-peak and 6 and 8 cars during the rush hour. Three-car sets (two power cars plus a single coach) were used rarely, mostly as shuttle trains east of Newark, and were noted for their faster acceleration and higher top speeds, which may explain their limited use. Although matched sets were not over-powered, it was possible for MU trains to pull an additional freight car (most often milk cars), which would be coupled to the rear-end of the MU train. In later years, the 2-car off-peak configuration was abandoned in favor of a 4-car configuration for reliability purposes.

Outbound from Hoboken, commuters could ride on the Morristown Line (the mainline) to Dover, NJ, a trip of 38.3 miles (62 km). The Montclair Branch and Gladstone Branch diverged from the Morristown line at Roseville Avenue Station in Newark and Summit, respectively. The MU's ran off 3000 volt DC overhead electric wire, drawing current through pantographs that could be raised or lowered. In profile, pantographs appear diamond-shaped, but generally get better contact with the overhead wire than a simple trolley pole. Due to the presence of overhead bridges along the line, the overhead catenary varied considerably in height. Where no height restrictiones existed, the catenary was typically at 24 feet (8.7 m), but for some bridges the wire needed to drop in clearance, with Roseville Avenue being the point of lowest clearance at 15 feet 9 inches (4.6 m). This didn't affect the operation of the MUs, since they had been designed with these clearance differentials in mind, but the low clearances restricted the use of other trains on the line that had insufficient clearance. The Lackawanna MUs had two pantographs: one for normal use (on the Dover end of the motor car) and one with greater wire tension that was used only during ice storms (on the Hoboken end of the car). The trains lacked speedometers. On test runs, the trains attained a speed of 63 mph on level track. On suitable downgrades, however, the trains could exceed 70 mph (113 km/hr) and on rare occasions, 75 mph (121 km/hr).[2][3]

Types

Low-roof trailers

Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad coaches 300 to 349 were built in 1925 by Pullman with "low roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2200 to 2249. In 1961, they were renumbered 3200-3249. Length of these cars is 70' 6" over buffers and height is 13' 0". Weight is 109,400 lbs. After retirement, the cars were stored at Mahwah, NJ and listed for sale on March 9, 1984, and November 13, 1984.

Orig. No. DL&W No. EL No. NJT No. Owner Location Notes
300 2200 3200 3200 URHS - New Jersey Boonton, NJ
301 2201 3201 3201 Unknown Unknown
302 2202 3202 3202 Conway Scenic Railroad North Conway, NH
303 2203 3203 3203 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA
304 2204 3204 3204 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA
305 2205 3205 3205 Unknown Unknown
306 2206 3206 3206 Red River Valley Railroad Historical Society Shreveport, LA Stored under I-20 bridge
307 2207 3207 3207 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA
308 2208 3208 3208 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA
309 2209 3209 3209 Conway Scenic Railroad Bartlett, NH Awaiting Restoration
310 2210 3210 3210 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 310
311 2211 3211 3211 Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Campo, CA Numbered 255
312 2212 3212 3212 Unknown Unknown Not on Mahwah Sale List
313 2213 3213 3213 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA Numbered 3213
314 2214 3214 3214 Unknown Unknown
315 2215 3215 3215 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 315
316 2216 3216 3216 Unknown Unknown
317 2217 3217 3217 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA
318 2218 3218 3218 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA Numbered 3218
319 2219 3219 3219 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA Numbered 9101
320 2220 3220 3220 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 320
321 2221 3221 3221 Unknown Unknown
322 2222 3222 3222 Unknown Unknown
323 2223 3223 3223 Unknown Unknown Not on Mahwah Sale List
324 2224 3224 3224 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 3224
325 2225 3225 3225 Unknown Unknown
326 2226 3226 3226 Unknown Unknown
327 2227 3227 3227 Age of Steam Roundhouse Sugarcreek, OH
328 2228 3228 3228 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 328
329 2229 3229 3229 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 329
330 2230 3230 3230 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 330
331 2231 3231 3231 Unknown Unknown
332 2232 3232 3232 Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway Osceola, WI Numbered 2232
333 2233 3233 3233 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Unrestored
334 2234 3234 3234 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 334
335 2235 3235 3235 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 335
336 2236 3236 3236 Brooks Preservation Society Brooks, ME] Restored
337 2237 3237 3237 Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Scranton, PA
338 2238 3238 3238 Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Boone, IA
339 2239 3239 3239 Unknown Unknown Not on Mahwah Sale List
340 2240 3240 3240 Bluegrass Railroad Museum Versailles, KY
341 2241 3241 3241 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 341
342 2242 3242 3242 Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Scranton, PA
343 2243 3243 3243 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 343
344 2244 3244 3244 Unknown Unknown
345 2245 3245 3245 Gettysburg Scenic Unknown For Sale
346 2246 3246 3246 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 346
347 2247 3247 3247 Bluegrass Railroad Museum Versailles, KY
348 2248 3248 3248 Brooks Preservation Society Brooks, ME B&ML 3248
349 2249 3249 3249 Unknown Unknown Not on Mahwah Sale List
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Unknown Northumberland, PA Lettered PRR 1962
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad Milford, NY Lettered C&CV 101
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad Milford, NY Lettered C&CV 103
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad Milford, NY Lettered C&CV 103
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Penn Valley Lines Northumberland, PA Lettered PRR 1962
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Heber Valley Railroad Heber City, UT Lettered HVRR 250. Former GSMS 522
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Heber Valley Railroad Heber City, UT Lettered HVRR 270. Former GSMS 524
3?? 22?? 32?? 32?? Toledo Lake Erie and Western Waterville, OH Lettered TLEW 404
High roof trailer car leaves Bergen Hill Tunnels

High-roof trailers

Lackawanna coaches 648 to 685 were built in 1917 by Pullman with "high roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2300 to 2337. In 1961, they were renumbered 3300-3337 and finally by NJT to 4300-4337. Length of these cars is 70' 0 3/4" over buffers, and height is 14' 3 3/4". Weight is 109,500 lbs.

Lackawanna coaches 686 to 715 were built in 1920 by Pullman with "high roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2338 to 2367. In 1961, they were renumbered 3338-3367 and finally by NJT to 4338-4367. Length of these cars is 70' 0 3/4" over buffers, and height is 14' 6". Weight is 109,500 lbs. These units are identical to the previous series of "high roofs" except that they are 2 1/4" inches taller.

At least 70 of 80 cars are in existence today:

Orig. No. DL&W No. EL No. NJT No. Owner Location Notes
648 2300 3300 4300 Unknown Unknown
649 2301 3301 4301 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 4301
650 2302 3302 4302 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Middletown, PA Numbered 302
651 2303 3303 4303 Unknown Unknown
652 2304 3304 4304 Unknown Unknown
653 2305 3305 4305 Valley Railroad (Connecticut) Essex, CT Numbered 603
654 2306 3306 4306 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA Numbered 306
655 2307 3307 4307 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Hummelstown, PA
656 2308 3308 4308 Unknown Unknown Sold in 2010
657 2309 3309 4309 Unknown Unknown
658 2310 3310 4310 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA
658 2310 3310 4310 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA
659 2311 3311 4311 Unknown Unknown
660 2312 3312 4312 Unknown Unknown
661 2313 3313 4313 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA
662 2314 3314 4314 Unknown Unknown
663 2315 3315 4315 Downeast Scenic Railroad Ellsworth, ME Numbered 4315
664 2316 3316 4316 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA -
665 2317 3317 4317 Virginia and Truckee Railroad Virginia City, NV Lettered V&T 103 "Carson City"
666 2318 3318 4318 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA Numbered 303
667 2319 3319 4319 Unknown Unknown
668 2320 3320 4320 Unknown Unknown
669 2321 3321 4321 Catskill Mountain Railroad Phoenicia, NY Lettered CMRR 701
670 2322 3322 4322 Catskill Mountain Railroad Phoenicia, NY Being renovated to CMRR 703
671 2323 3323 4323 Age of Steam Roundhouse Byesville, OH Leased to Byesville Scenic
672 2324 3324 4324 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA Numbered 304
673 2325 3325 4325 Unknown Unknown
674 2326 3326 4326 Unknown Unknown
675 2327 3327 4327 Valley Railroad (Connecticut) Essex, CT Numbered 600
676 2328 3328 4328 Indiana Transportation Museum Noblesville, IN
677 2329 3339 4339 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Hummelstown, PA Numbered 329
678 2330 3330 4330 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Middletown, PA Lettered Gettysburg 330
679 2331 3331 4331 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA Numbered 301
680 2332 3332 4332 Catskill Mountain Railroad Phoenicia, NY Lettered CMRR 702
681 2333 3333 4333 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 681
682 2334 3334 4334 Unknown Unknown
683 2335 3335 4335 Unknown Unknown
684 2336 3336 4336 Indiana Transportation Museum Noblesville, IN
685 2337 3337 4337 Indiana Transportation Museum Noblesville, IN
686 2338 3338 4338 Valley Railroad (Connecticut) Essex, CT Numbered 602
687 2339 3339 4339 Grapevine Vintage Railroad Grapevine, TX Renumbered 206
688 2340 3340 4340 Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA Numbered 302
689 2341 3341 4341 Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Port Clinton, PA
690 2342 3342 4342 Unknown Unknown
691 2343 3343 4343 Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Unknown
692 2344 3344 4344 Valley Railroad (Connecticut) Essex, CT Numbered 601
693 2345 3345 4345 Coopersville and Marne Railway Coopersville, MI
694 2346 3346 4346 Unknown Unknown
695 2347 3347 4347 Unknown Unknown
696 2348 3348 4348 California Western Railroad Fort Bragg, PA Numbered 696
697 2349 3349 4349 California Western Railroad Fort Bragg, CA Numbered 697
698 2350 3349 4350 Orange Empire Railway Museum Perris, CA Numbered 2350
699 2351 3351 4351 California Western Railroad Fort Bragg, CA Numbered 699
700 2352 3352 4352 Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Middletown, PA
701 2353 3353 4353 Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Lenox, MA Numbered 453
702 2354 3354 4354 Grapevine Vintage Railroad Grapevine, TX Renumbered 207
703 2355 3355 4355 Grapevine Vintage Railroad Grapevine, TX Renumbered 209
704 2356 3356 4356 Unknown Unknown
705 2357 3357 4357 Steamtown National Historic Site Scranton, PA Numbered 705
706 2358 3358 4358 Unknown Unknown
708 2360 3360 4360 Unknown Unknown
709 2361 3361 4361 Indiana Transportation Museum Noblesville, IN
710 2362 3362 4362 Age of Steam Roundhouse Byesville, OH Leased to Byesville Scenic
711 2363 3363 4363 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Middletown, NY Awaiting Renovation
712 2364 3364 4364 Smokey Hill Railway Belton, MO Not confirmed
713 2365 3365 4365 Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Belton, MO
714 2366 3366 4366 Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad Middletown, PA
715 2367 3367 4367 Grapevine Vintage Railroad Grapevine, TX Renumbered 208
??? 23?? 33?? 43?? Huntsville Depot & Museum Huntsville, AL Lettered Southern 1397
??? 23?? 33?? 43?? Penn Valley Lines Northampton, PA Lettered PRR 1955
??? 23?? 33?? 43?? Penn Valley Lines Northampton, PA Lettered PRR 1961
??? 23?? 33?? 43?? Coopersville and Marne Railway Coopersville, MI Numbered 4445

High-roof combine trailers

Lackawanna combines 429 to 433 were built in 1921 by Pullman with "high roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2400 to 2405. In 1961, they were renumbered 3400-3405.

Low-roof combine trailers

Lackawanna combines 434 to 443 were built in 1925 by Bethlehem with "low roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2406 to 2415. In 1961, they were renumbered 3406-3415

Mail combine trailers

Lackawanna combines 427 and 428 were built in 1917 by Pullman with "??? roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2440 to 2441. In 1961, they were renumbered 3440-3441.

Club trailers

Lackawanna club cars 480 to 484 were built in 1912 by B&S and car 647 in 1917 by Pullman with "high roofs". They were converted to MU trailers in 1930 and renumbered 2450 to 2455. In 1961, they were renumbered 3450-3455. Since the cars were subscription only, they were typically placed on the westbound (Dover-facing) end of the train.

Motor units

Lackawanna motor cars 2500-2641 were built from 1929-30 by Pullman and GE with "low roofs". In 1961, they were renumbered 3500-3641. NJT renumbered 3600-3641 to 4600-4641. Length of these cars is 70' 1 1/2" over buffers, height is 12' 11". The power cars each had four 255 horsepower motors, meaning that a 12-car train would have 6,030 horsepower. The trains were capable of accelerating a train at 1.5 mph/sec and could reach a top speed of 63 mph on level track, but could exceed 70 mph on suitable downgrades. The trains could brake at 1.75 mph/sec.[2][3]

Preserved cars

Of the units operated at least 156 survive today (97 trailers and 59 motors) as coaches on various tourist railroads throughout the United States. As the last fleet of heavyweight railcars from the age of steam still rolling in North America, the growing tourist railroad industry saw them as their last chance to purchase railcars with such a vintage aesthetic. This resulted in a large amount of the 282 car fleet being sold for preservation including at least 43 of 50 low roof trailers and 54 of 80 high roof trailers. Due to environmental and mechanical concerns, the motors on the motor cars were removed before their transport to other railroads or locations.

Owner Number of cars
Low Roof High Roof Motor Total
Age of Steam Roundhouse 1 2 3
Alberta Prairie Railroad Excursions 1 1
Brooks Preservation Society 2 2
Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad 2 2
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum 6 2 8
Bluegrass Railroad Museum 2 2
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad 7 7
California Western Railroad 3 3
Catskill Mountain Railroad 3 3
Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad 3 3
Conway Scenic Railroad 2 2 4
Coopersville and Marne Railway 2 2
Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad 2 2
Downeast Scenic Railroad 1 1
Everett Railroad 2 2
Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum 2 2
Front Street Station (Restaurant) 4 4
Gettysburg Scenic 1 1
Grapevine Vintage Railroad 4 4
Hartwell Railroad 2 2
Heber Valley Railroad 2 3 5
Hobo Railroad 4 4
Huntsville, AL Depot & Museum 1 1
Indiana and Ohio Railway 4 4
Indiana Transportation Museum 4 4
Kehde's Barbeque (Restaurant) 1 1
Knox and Kane Railroad 1 1
Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum 1 1
Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad 8 8
New York and Lake Erie Railroad 3 3
NRHS - Horseshoe Curve Chapter 3 3
Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad 8 8
Orange Empire Railway Museum 1 1
Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway 1 1
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum 1 5 6
Penn Valley Lines 1 2 3
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad 10 10
Red River Valley Railroad Historical Society 1 1
Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum 1 1
Southern Railroad of New Jersey 1 1
St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway 1 1
Steamtown National Historic Site 9 2 1 12
Stourbridge Railroad 3 3
Toledo Lake Erie and Western 1 1
URHS - New Jersey 1 1 2
Valley Railroad 4 4
Virginia and Truckee Railroad 1 1
Wilmington and Western Railroad 1 1
Unknown Owner 1 4 5
Total Preserved 43 54 59 156

Notes

  1. ↑ Lowenthal & Greenberg 1987
  2. 1 2 3 Taber III, Thomas Townsend (1980). The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in the Twentieth Century - Volume 1. Lycoming Printing Company.
  3. 1 2 3 Taber III, Thomas Townsend (1981). The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in the Twentieth Century - Volume 2). Lycoming Printing Company.

References

External links

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