From a NYC timetable from 1948, I figured out that when little I took the #59 Chicagoan from Cleveland to Toledo (years 1947-53 ) and now we would like to get a model train as close to what was used as possible. I can find a photo from early 60's but not from 47-52. Does anyone know what engine would have been used during that time? Or what book might have that era of pictures in? Any help would be appreciated in order to find a set that would be close to what I rode.
Welcome to the NY Central forum, Princeyjo. My real life experience with the NYC was in the Mohawk Valley, Mohawk Division, so I am not sure what type of locomotive or coaches would have been on the train you are interested in. One of our contributors, Hudsonut1, may have the answer. Ron?
Could the locomotive have possibly been a .............P1a..??? pulling the streamline coaches? Was the line electrified by catanary? RWL would probably know.
Princeyjo, I will attempt to answer your question, I have some passenger consist lists for some of the trains. I am not sure whether the Chicagoan is one of them. If nothing else a reasonable train can be assembled with available model equipment. I believe a safe bet would be an EMD E7, although a Hudson may have been power by the end of the decade. I will look into it and reply later. RWL
Princeyjo, I apologize for the delay in reply, but I don't believe I can be much help to you, I have some information, very little! The Chicagoan was originally called the "Forest City" and offered sleepers from Chicago to Cleveland with coaches on to New York. The train was renamed (Chicagoan) and the sleepers were dropped, it appears at a later date that sleepers were placed on another train and renamed "Forest City". The time frames for all these changes is unknown by me. Sorry I could not have been more help, hopefully someone else can answer your question. RWL
Sorry to be late in getting this off. From Clevelanad to Toledo would most likely have been Hudson,Mohawk or Niagara until the end of steam then it would have been E-7 or even Alco PA .At times even GP 7/9 would fill in. In other words most anything could have hauled it during that time frame.
