(erielack) Re: EL E8's and Pass train in Schenectady 1971

[Gordon Davids <g.davids_@_verizon.net>]

That was D&H Train 34, the Laurentian, southbound at Schenectady.  D&H was using at least one pair of EL E-8's to supplement the PA's on trains 9, 10, 34 and 35.  One PA didn't have enough boiler water capacity for a winter trip between Albany and Montreal so they ran two units in the winter.  They tried one unit on No. 9 in January 1967 when the temperature was about -25F.  The train froze up around Westport and it was a disaster.  They never repeated that mistake.

Penn Central had abandoned Albany Union Station and moved across the river to Rensselaer.  The D&H had built a connection at Albany so passenger trains and equipment could run between Colonie Shops and Rensselaer but then changed the route of the trains to run via PC to Schenectady D&H.  Schenectady station was also closed, and the trains stopped at a PC station at Karner Road between Schenectady and Albany en route to Rensselaer.  That is essentially the same route used by Amtrak today.

I thought of the possibility of an Office Car Special.  I was the D&H Track Supervisor at Oneonta when the photo was taken.  This was part of my territory.  I would have at least known of one if it ran or more likely been on the train, and I can't recall one in the winter of 1971.

- - Gordon Davids


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