Re: [CBQ] Aurora Station in the push-pull era

["Steven Holding" <sholding@sbcglobal.net>]

I worked Aurora Tower June-Dec 31 1973  2nd Trick the evening Parade

A train would come in the east end and drop the cars the engine coming out the west end and then reverse back to the Hill Yard and roundhouse

The Switch Engine would use the west end to double trains together to take them down to the Hill Yard for overnite storage.

On non push pull trains the train would pull in and cut off engine using the switches go to the TT and then out on the main and run around the train to go back East.   By pushing the train the passengers did not have to walk the length of the engine at CUS

During that time period there was both Steam and Electric trains with the last train out in the morning and the first in at nite an all single level train of mixed colors (I think a couple even yellow) that came in engine cut off and switch eng took to Hill Yd.  right away.  Then others came in and often I would have a couple lite engs. headed for the RH waiting till a train came in on Main 1 into the station and then I could let them go to the house.

Jan 1, 1974 I started the first job I bid in  East End Relief Operator  Third trick Eola Op, Two Third Op at Congress Parka nd two Second tricks.   The TM who took care of Agents, Operators and Dispatchers figured IF you could work 2nd Trick at Aurora Tower you could be a Dispatcher and on Valentines Day 1974 I started to break in as a Dispatcher.  Less then a year after coming home from Army.

Rode the extra Dispatcher list for a couple years till East End Relief opened up working five days and off four in a 7 day week one third trick Friday morning off till first trick Sat and Sun then off 24 hours till 2nd trick Mon and Tue.  Worked a couple years on that and then straight 2nd trick for a couple more years till the turmoil of bumping and bidding for the move to Galesburg  2nd trick Ottumwa Nov. 30, 1983

Retired off 2nd Trick Union Ave on Friday the 13th  November  2009 When Sam John Henry retired

Steve in SC

On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 07:52:28 AM EST, Don Winn <donswinn@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm laying track for my Aurora Station.  I'm modelling 1966, with the intent to use push-pull consists (although I might include a mix of trains without a cab control car).   Looking at the the track plan, I started to wonder how the west switches would be used.   Originally, they would be needed to pull engines off incoming trains so the locos could be turned for the return trip.

But in the push-pull era, did the west switches see much use?

With no need to turn locos, did the turntable see much use?

When was the conversion to 100% push-pull complete?

Thanks!

Don Winn

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