Cab signals/Mars lights -
Ed Rethwisch and I came to the conclusion that as a "Rule of Thumb", if a
steam engine had cab signals, it had a Mars light; not visa versa. Mars
lights probably applied first, then Cab signals and was done in the early
fifties (refer to Bulletin #33 photo captions).
In researching what locomotives were actually equipped with "real" Automatic
Train Control to run on the C&NW Sterling-Agnew line, we reviewed assignment
sheets from as far back as Nov. 1932. Conclusion drawn, was that there was
never more than three locomotives at a time equipped with ATC, and they were
all R-5/R-5a Prairies:
11/1/32 2094, 2107, 2118
06/1/44 2094, 2107, 2118
12/1/44 2094, 2107, 2118
06/1/50 2051, 2052, 2118
12/1/50 2051, 2051, 2118
03/1/55 9208, 9209 (NW-2's and only two)
Per Corbin's "Steam Locomotives of the Burlington Route"
2094 retired 10/46
2107 (disposition blank)
2118 sold for scrap 8/51 (19 yrs. Denrock-Sterling service?)
2051 "retired 12/31" must be an error; probably 1951 like the 2118 &
2052
2052 retired 6/51
When the steamers left the roster, the two NW-2's, 9208 and 9209 inherited
the ATC equipment. The Denrock-Sterling wayfreight was operated by Galesburg
Division crews. Does anyone know of any photos of this job? What year did
the C&NW install ATC on this route? Comments please, if you have differing
or additional information.
Bob Campbell
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