Greetings.
The Pot Luck and Movie meeting was a roaring success. Again I would like to thank Gayle Althardt and her helpers Lorrie and John Rocky, Terry and Bob Derenski, Linda and Larry Cerwin, Beth and Steve March, and to Penny and Fred Haberkamp who supplied the soft drinks and water. I know I probably forgot somebody, but know we thank you too. Remember if you have a community center in your area and you would like to hold a Pot Luck meeting let one of the board members know and you will get lots of help when you ask. Remember our Annual Banquet is coming up in April with elections being held at that time. Also if you have any ideas for a topic or speaker please let me know.
Fifty years ago on May 7, 1960, an era was coming to a close. On that date, the last regularly scheduled steam operation on a class one railroad dropped its fires for the final time in the United States and Canada. The transition from steam to diesel was about 90% complete.
The young upstart, Diesel, was developed at the turn of the century. It was looked upon as experimental until the General Electric Company, Ingersoll-Rand and the American Locomotive Company developed the first commercially successful diesel locomotive. It was first used as a switcher to help the railroads comply with the no excessive smoke law in the big cities. By the mid-thirties, the diesel was being used for passenger services.
The main locomotive manufacturers begin to notice and not only started building diesels themselves but also began to develop new formulas for building more efficient steam locomotives. Just before WWII an upstart company called EMD, finally started to crack the mainline freight barrier. WWII put a hold on wholesale diesel development because of the lack of material, but some of the finest steam locomotives were made. After WWII the bean counters and the board of directors looked at operating costs and discovered what could be saved by steam vs. diesel, and steam fell by the wayside.
Manpower was steams biggest high priced ticket item. When a steamer came in for overhaul it took on average 125 to 150 people working on it versus 20 to 25 working on a diesel. If more power was needed to move freight with steam you had to call another crew but with diesel you just plug in another unit. Also less support structures would be needed. Gone would be round houses, turn tables, coaling towers, water tanks, etc and less people to pay.
So after WWII in 1946, the diesel revolution began and by 1958, it was all but complete. In 1959 a couple of roads had put steam in storage but within 2 months brought some back in service again. When 1960 dawned there were 5 class one’s left, small pockets where steam could be found. Then on March 27th the last steam passenger run made on the Grand Trunk Western, Detroit to Durand, Michigan. Freight lasted two more days. On March 29th beside GTW, the Canadian Pacific ran its last steam train with a 2-8-0, #3514. In April, the Illinois Central ran its last steam freight on the Kentucky division. The Canadian National on April 25th ran its last steam freight behind a 4-8-2 mountain type #6043. The official end on Class 1’s was May 7th on the Norfolk and Western in Williamson, VA. when 0-8-0, #291 and 2-8-8-2, #2190 tied up for the final time.
Steam did carry on in small pockets mostly on back woods short lines or industries into the sixties. I better clarify myself on the end of steam on class 1’s. While no standard gauge class one hauled revenue freight behind steam in the 60’s, Rio Grande and Western’s 3-foot gauge did quite well into the mid 60’s before abandonment’s started. May 7, 1960 was the day some would say was when the railroad died.
Our next meeting will be at the Holiday Inn in Itasca, 860 Irving Park Road, telephone, (630)773-2340. The meeting will start at 5:30 with a meal. Looking forward to seeing you all.
Look, Listen and Live,
Brian
NOTES:
1. There is a PDF copy of the list of Train Videos that were donated to CAGRS and compiled by our librarian, in the Members Area for you to download.
2. You can get a PDF copy of the invitation and registration form for the Spring Banquet in the Members Area.
3. Be sure to renew your membership soon. Walter is making strange gurgling sounds. A renewal form is available here.
