Visitor Comments about this Photo:

This was our standard operating procedure for years. When I worked in the shop, I was Conductor on the pushing unit, and Ken "Biff" Ranney was engineer. The crew would pick up the cars on the interchange (often a full track of 18 on a Monday). Biff and I would be in the clear at the enginehouse. I would make the cut next to the enginehouse, and the crew would pin the throttle wide open on their unit, Biff and I would go up to the switch, and as soon as their rear car cleared, we went out on the main. I normalled the switch, we made the hitch, and full throttle for us too! With 2 locomotives, we could handle 10 cars of general freight, or 5 salt cars. One engine could handle 5 general freight, or 2 salt cars. When we arrived at Mulberry St, we would uncouple, and I would head to the crossing with my flag to protect the crossing, and throw the switch to send the cars down to the "electric spur", the other guy would cut them and tie them down, I would send them back down the main to him. It was quick work to take care of the train. Once all the "Electric" cars were set out, they would pull up into the yard, head pin and we would spot up any house track cars, Flock, Agway or Merrimack Farmers cars. Meanwhile Pete Bump would be notifying customers of their arriving cars, getting a switch list for Claremont Paper ready. If there were more cars at the Junction, we might go get them while the other guys dug out their Claremont Paper cars. When there was still service to Newport. often Biff and I would get that run. It was a busy little railroad, we worked hard to give service second to none, and I am still proud of the men who taught me how to serve the customers.

Posted by Bruce Davison on 2018-07-30 13:56:24

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