I've added a new page to my web site of B&M paper. These are train orders from my permanent collection. Go to www.train-orders.com , find and click on "TOUR", on the next page scroll down to Train Orders and select B&M! Boxcab E50
Ken, you have a nice selection of B&M flimsies. There are two items of interest. First, Meredith, NH was 15 miles from my home in Center Sandwich. Second, and rather puzzling is the B&M slow order to North Bennington, VT. What is puzzling is that the trackage between Eagle Bridge, NY and North Bennington, VT was owned by the RUTLAND. The B&M/Rut interchange was at Eagle Bridge, not North Bennington, about 15 miles away.
Hank- Sometimes railroads had what were called 'off-line train order offices.' Those were manned by the 'second' railroad, but copied orders for trains to enter the home company's rails. So I wonder if this is the case? If I had a good map of the two operations, that might give a good hint. One such instance I can name, from out this way- The Northern Pacific had such an arrangement with the Burlington. CB&Q trains coming up into eastern Montana and on to the NP received NP orders at Greybull, Wyoming or Sheridan, Wyoming, amongst a few of off-line locations for that particular route. Boxcab E50
Mulitple Road Train Orders You need go no further than the B&M station at Wells River, VT where the B&M main line met the Canadian Pacific. The operator worked for the former, but also copied orders from the CP dispatcher for northbounds. In addition, up through 1956, he also copied orders for the shortline Montpelier & Wells River (later Barre & Chelsea) whose line ended at Wells River. Duane Goodman
What Duane has described is a joint agency. How they were manned, depended upon who got there second when lines were built, etc. The second railroad might pay the first for services, or be required to build/modify and staff that site. It all depended upon what they agreed upon, and could vary. Boxcab E50
Ken, I goofed...Eagle Bridge, NY was the B&M interchange with the D&H, not the Rutland. The B&M/Rutland interchange was at Hoosick Jct., NY, 2 miles east on the B&M (south by compass). I see you have a D&H order issued by Tower XO, Mechanicville, NY. I believe Tower XO was B&M property, so did a D&H employee at XO receive clearance from the B&M dispatcher to issue an order for a D&H train, or did a B&M employee issue the order on D&H paper?
Hank- Who was there first? The second arriving company usually had to build, maintain and staff the facility. If not they had to pay the other company to do the same. If anyone has a B&M issued booklet showing the pay rates for agents, operators, telegraphers and levermen, that could be a help. Boxcab E50
