Can anyone provided information on the Wabash's Trainmasters? Specifically, I'm wondering what types of service they were used in, and the general location of their usage. Thanks for the help, guys! ------------------ Brian Schmidt railohio@hotmail.com ICQ #21630753 AIM - railohio
Hi Brian, thanks for the post, that's a good question. I have an idea of the lines they were used on, such as east of Decatur to Detroit. I remember some pics of them used behind the newer U25Bs and GP35s. Also as lead units, maybe earlier in their lives. I will do some research tonight and let you know what I find. Thanks again, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
I did give someone else a little bit of information about these locos on Trainboard a couple of months ago, not from any personal knowledge but as a result of having seen a great picture with a useful caption in a recent issue of either Trains or Classic Trains - I will try to find the item during the next couple of days and will then put up another post with the necessary reference. I hope to get an Atlas n scale model of one of the Wabash Trainmasters as soon as they become available in this country. Ben
Hi Ben, good hearing from you again. And thanks once more for that great Mt. Ararat video! I hope you received my thank you email. (I didn't hear back from you, so was never sure you received it). That video was awesome. I'd like to get some of the WAB FMs too...but unfortunately, could only use 2, because of the steps situation. (WAB only had 2 units with the high steps, like the Atlas units). Hope to talk with ya soon, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
Brian, from what I've found, I can document that the Trainmasters were used on both the Detroit-Kansas City, and Detroit-Chicago lines, also on local runs out of Decatur. I couldn't document any on the generally north/south lines, ie: Chicago-Bement-St. Louis, or into Des Moines or Omaha. But it's entirely possible they were also used there. Also found many instances, as late as 1964, where they were on the point. These lines were mostly general merchandise, but also many stock (cattle), reefers (meat) and other special cars etc. As an example, on the Detroit-Chicago line, train SC-1 (westbound) was heavy with loaded auto racks and auto parts box cars. Hope this helps. Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
Bill, thanks for your kind words and yes, I did receive your thank you e mail; it was very remiss of me not to acknowledge it. For our friend, the issue of Classic Trains containing the wonderful photo is Summer 2000 and it is on page 70; the 554 heads Wabash's "west local" (together with a GP7) (from Decatur, Ill., to Hannibal, Mo.) at Jacksonville, Ill. on July 9 1962. I would have been proud to have taken that marvellous photo (if I had been the right age, in the right country, at the right place and at the right time!). Ben
There are B/W photos of 2 Wabash TM's on George Elwood's Fallen Flags Page WAB 551 Feb 56 Decatur IL http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/wab/wab551g.jpg ***************** WAB 55X Jan 64 Binghamton NY (enroute to AlCo for repowering?) Caption lists this as 558 but photo is not clear. There does not appear to have been a WAB 558 (see below) http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/wab/wab558at.jpg ****************** The Wabash Hist. Society diesel roster lists 8 FM's on the Wabash (see below) http://people.ce.mediaone.net/wabashrr/wrhs/diesel.html FM H-24-66 2 1954 550,551 (ex demo TM-1,2)(renumbered 598-599) FM H-24-66 6 1956 552-557 (555-557 also 552A-554A) (renumbered 592-597) *********** There is a small color nose-on photo of WAB 554 (?) at this URL http://www.aat-net.de/images/fmwab.jpg No caption with this photo ************** Enjoy Don Brown Tucson AZ USA
Thank you Don for that very comprehensive post on the WAB TrainMasters. We certainly appreciate all the research you put into it. I believe the renumberings were a result of the repowering project, and 558 was not used in the original numbering system. Thanks again, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
Don and Bill, the small colour nose-on photo referred to by Don is the same photo I found in the magazine; the magazine version is not cropped and shows more of the surroundings and of course there is the caption. Ben
