Lovely photo, though sad in retrospect realizing that this source of revenue would be cancelled in just 18 years, driving the final nail into the rail passenger train coffin.
I am trying to put together a "Fast Mail" train to operate at our model RR club's annual "Open House". I am going to use my BLI model of the Niagara as the motive power. Can anyone suggest to me how the the NYCS operated Mail trains, ie, car placement as regards RPOs, mail storage cars, baggage cars,express and/or other cars. I plan on having a rider coach on my arrangement of a fast mail train and it will carry the markers. Charlie
Charlie, best I remember, mail trains carried as many as 15 cars up front, similar to those in Roger's photo. At the rear was one coach, rarely more, for the conductor, rear-end brakeman, and the few passengers who weren't riding for luxury. There may have been a rare RPO ahead of the coach. BTW, I'm talking the Central here, others can address other roads.
Charlie, I can't help with the fast mail makeup, but as Hank said, that was such a source of revenue until the mail contracts were cancelled, not just for the Central. Thanks for another classic, Roger. I am pretty sure I have a Vollrath photo of 5300 somewhere. If it's OK with you, and if I can find it, should I add it here?
