Sunday, January 25, 2015

East Berlin Service

(I'm majorly bummed I couldn't attend the huge Springfield show this year - turns out I got the "Springfield Flu" a bit early - and just in time to knock me out of commission for the weekend. If you made it, I hope you had enough fun for both of us!)

My recent progress on the Berlin Branch prompted some discussion the last time the guys were over. I'd mentioned that adding the branch could provide some interesting work for the Air Line Local - crews would be able to operate from one corner of the basement (Air Line Staging) all the way to the opposite corner of the basement (E. Berlin) and in two different rooms. To refresh your memory of the track layout, click here.

Problem is, the Air Line Local didn't serve East Berlin - at least not during the year I model (1947). As JohnW pointed out, the Air Line Local's typical steam power - J-1 class Mikados and R-1 class Mountains - were timetable restricted from the Berlin Branch, and, in fact, could only operate on the old Berlin Main track in Middletown yard in order to drop off cars. Furthermore, the branch was Shoreline territory, not Midland territory like the Air Line.

John's recollection made perfect sense. From what little I know about the branch in the late 1940s, it was in very poor shape - speed restricted to 10mph in addition to being motive power restricted. Heh - no way could I even imagine a 2-8-2 going up that line, much less a 4-8-2!

But I knew I'd read somewhere that the Air Line Local served the Berlin Branch at some point. Then it hit me - I'd actually come across this information while doing a post last June, and mentioned it - albeit in passing - toward the end of that post.

So what's the story? The answer depends on what year you're talking about.

According to the Freight Symbol Book for April, 1949 (as well as the Package Car Schedules book), Hartford Division Local Service Train #12 (the Air Line Local) serviced E. Berlin on Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays.  Keep in mind that by April 1949, both the Air Line Local and Valley Local were dieselized. According to the NHRR Engine Assignment Book I have for April 24, 1949, the Valley Local had a DEY-3 (Alco S-1, probably #0947) and the Air Line Local had a DEY-5 (Alco S-2, probably #0606). (see this post for further information on the lines' motive power)

I don't have any information regarding what restrictions, if any, there were on the Berlin branch relative to diesel locomotives. But my guess is that an S-2 was a LOT less heavy and hard on track than either a J-1 or an R-1.

I still have some gaps in my Freight Symbol Book collection, so I can't figure out whether the Valley Local ever served E. Berlin again after 1949.  But for what it's worth, it looks like by 1952 E. Berlin isn't served at all by either local, at least not according to the Symbol Book I have for that year.

So the bottom line is that I can plausibly - and most likely prototypically - have the Air Line Local serve East Berlin as I'd hoped. I'll just have to be sure my ops session is set in "1949" rather than 1947 and I'll need to change from steam locos to diesel.

Now if somebody would just come out with the proper New Haven-style Alco cab . . .

(special thanks to John Wallace for prompting this post)

5 comments:

  1. Chris,

    Although the East Berlin branch has mostly vanished, in addition to the stone-arch bridge visible from Newfield Street (Route 3) that you featured in an earlier post, a steel bridge (minus ties) still spans the Mattabesset River just southeast of where I-91 crosses Berlin Road (Route 372). It's reachable from East Street (Route 217) and a well-used trail. From there the right-of-way continues northwest along Sebethe Drive and after that is tracable in Google Maps to the current end of track near Berlin's Amtrak station. Many years ago, I explored this right of way and came across what I was sure were old railroad buildings in East Berlin. Does anyone know if they are they still there? Where exactly?

    George

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    Replies
    1. Hey George and thanks for stopping by! I found that bridge you mention the hard way some years back, and I explored the northern end of the line about the same time. I'll post some pics next, so stay tuned!

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  2. Incidentally, looking at the March 1, 1949 Employee Timetable (the last that indicates Steam in the engine restrictions for your line) the maximum permitted engine in Middletown and East Berlin is a J-1. This is the case in both 1948 timetables as well. In 1946 there isn't even a listing for Middletown and East Berlin, so the change happened in '47 or '48, but the J-1 was still acceptable.

    Randy

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  3. Incidentally, looking at the March 1, 1949 Employee Timetable (the last that indicates Steam in the engine restrictions for your line) the maximum permitted engine in Middletown and East Berlin is a J-1. This is the case in both 1948 timetables as well. In 1946 there isn't even a listing for Middletown and East Berlin, so the change happened in '47 or '48, but the J-1 was still acceptable.

    Randy

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  4. A few things for you from the Package Car Schedules and Employee Timetables:

    East Berlin is served as needed by:
    9/28/52, 4/26/53, NX-26 (Air Line)
    9/27/53, 4/24/54, 10-30-55 NX-21 (Valley Line)
    Jumping ahead to 10/27/63 it's NX-21, although it could have switched back and forth some more in between.

    1710. Engine Restrictions
    1946 (Steam)
    Portland - Quarry Track - engines not permitted
    Amston - West Leg of Wye - R-1
    United Distillers Track - engines are not permitted on curve, 0.10 mile from main track switch

    Essex
    EE Dickenson Track - J-1
    Comstock and Cheney Track - Y-4
    Essex Lumber Company Track - J-1

    1952 (Diesel)
    Other than the Portland quarry track and United Distillers tracks, there are no restrictions for diesels.

    Randy

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