Hey. I was wondering if when SAL or ACL would go to hook up express cars or something of that nature to a passenger train, would they have to do anything special like unload the train or anything?

Thanks! Jason

-- Jason Castine (MultivortexF5@hotmail.com), February 05, 2003

Answers

I agree with the answer Cary gave; it reminds me of a time pre-Amtrak when the Star would pause in Ft. Lauderdale to pick up an express car with magazine and other printed matter for travel north. The only problem the trainman had when coupling was with the old steam lines. They were a real bear to couple. If the glad hands were the least bit out of alignment, they would give up and most likely wait until Jax to get the steam connected.

-- Walt Rogers (wjriii@verizon.net), February 06, 2003.

Jason, I'll take a shot at answering your question. I believe your asking if the passengers had to be removed from the train before the coupling took place. The answer is no. Passenger train coupling was done with a very gentle touch. In some cases the passengers didn't even know that a car had been added to the train.

-- Carey Stevens (ca.stevens@att.net), February 06, 2003.

I'm not sure, with the way you stated it, you are going to get this question answered correctly, Jason. ... Or, at least with the response you anticipated. Could you please rephrase this.

Are you asking IF the railroads unloaded the express - or -

Are you asking what methods were utilized to add mail & express cars - or -
What???

Thanks

-- Buck Dean, Webmaster (abdean@comcast.net), February 06, 2003.