(erielack) Univ Of Akron Erie Lackawanna Archives

["Michael Riley" <wdperson_@_hotmail.com>]

Hello to everyone.  Hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable holiday 
season,

     As I had mentioned on the list about a month ago or so, today was the 
day I went to look at the Erie Lackawanna Archives.  There are 2 archives 
there.  One is the ELHS archives and the second is the corporate archives.

To summarize here is what I saw, my observations, etc.:
Hours at the archives are 8a-5p EST.  I arrived at 8:20a-8:30a.  I started 
out looking at the ELHS archives and decided to look at the train 
orders/dispatch reports.  The ELHS archives are currently being organized by 
Scott Randolph and is a work in progress.  They were able to locate the 
dispatch reports.  These reports are amazing.  A little background 
information:  the forms remind me of accounting ledgers.  they were very big 
4' height x 8' wide.  They were dated 5-31-1960 and another dated 1958.  All 
the reports that I saw were from the Kent Subdivision.  Very informative 
(and confusing to a non-dispatcher like myself).  Everything (I mean 
EVERYTHING) is documented.  Dispatcher on duty.  Train engine, time left.  
When it arrived at certain points on the line.  When the train crossed over 
to other tracks.  Crew member names.  Much more information that I could not 
tell what it was referring to.  There are 4-5 rolls in each box and there 
are 30 boxes.  So, you could spend a whole day just looking at these.  Next 
I started to look at diagrams and drawings of the EL.  I found 2 extremely 
interesting books.  First was titled the "EL locomotive Diagram book."  In 
this book included all specifications (builder, EL #'s, how many the EL had, 
wheel dia, dynamic brakes (yes or no), locomotive class, and much more) and 
also dimensional drawings of the locomotives.  This was a very interesting 
find.  Another was the "Erie Railroad Diagrams of Passenger Equipment."  
This detailed the Pullman cars that the Erie had in May of 1952.  Complete 
with dimensional drawings and layout of the cars (found this to be extremely 
interesting).  It is 68pages long complete with a roster.  It would be great 
to be able to get originals of these documents.  After I found these I tried 
to see if I could find track diagrams, maps or such of the EL.  The ELHS 
archives are (as I mentioned) a work in progress so getting into these 
currently is not available.  I am going to check back in a few months and 
see if they have cataloged these items and will go back again.  Next I 
decided to look at the EL corporate archives.  Specifically the DLW and Erie 
Merger documentation.  It was interesting to look at documents older than I 
am.  Looking at the letterheads were very interesting.  Got the same feeling 
when you look at old advertisements from the 1950s or so.  Seems so long 
ago.  I found documentation on why the DLW and Erie Merger should take 
place.  Found a few interesting things I saw.  1) would save roughly 
$13,000,000 before taxes in cost being together within 5 years or so.2) they 
would also be spending $10,000,000 to upgrade facilities on the route.  
After the merger the EL would be 12th of 110 major railroads in the US.  I 
started to laugh.  What is there now 4?  Soon to be 2 I am sure.  Then I 
thought they are definately including regional railroads, etc.  Very 
interesting maps, interviews with Erie and DLW management employees that 
were submitted to the ICC as exhibits in regards to the application for the 
merger.  Next we decided to look at the ICC valuation maps.  Oh boy.  These 
are like blueprints.  Very big.  About 3' x 6'.  If you could afford to 
reproduce these (cost is about $15-$20 a piece) you would know more about 
the railroad, its customers than anyone.  The maps are originally dated 
1918.  Then have been restamped 1960 Erie Lackawanna.  I looked at my 
hometown and noticed rail lines that even my dad did not know about.  It was 
incredible.  From Leavittsburg, OH to the Ore Docks in Cleveland, they 
comprise of about 20-30 maps, I would guess.   It is unbelievable.  Very, 
Very detailed.  Some maps include signals.  Some maps are not legible and 
very hard to read.  No fault of the age of the document or the way it is 
stored.  Seems to have big blueprint stamps on some parts of the maps.   
Next up was more boxes of the corporate records.  Specifically, the 
miscellaneous maps and miscellaneous items boxes.  Good finds in these 
boxes:  miscellaneous maps included maintenance charts from 1975.  Outlined 
every rail line, every division, every crossover on the railroad, and a 
sample elevation like a side view of the terrain.  I was in awe of these 
charts.  Even showed roads that crossed, mileposts and other information 
that I could not determine.  What I am refering to is a line and it had 
curves in the line with markings that said 1 had a circle next to it like 
degrees and then 15'.  Only thing I can think of is that these were markings 
regarding the track curves.  Where they curved, what degree, etc.  These 
diagrams were great.  Love to get origials of these too.  Wow.  Finally I 
finished up looking at a miscellaneous study by the Chessie System.  It was 
a review on them acquiring the EL and the Reading.  The report stated that 
they would have kept everything east of Cleveland (First Subdivison) and 
east of Sterling, Ohio (mainline).  It is a shame this didn't happen.  At 
least we would have a lot to still look at.  Well, that is it.  So much 
information, so little time.

If you can make a trip to Akron, do so.  However, wait until the ELHS 
archives are organized, collated, etc.  This will provide you with more 
information that they can get to.  The help there is very great.  They will 
assist you as best they can.

There were a few people that requested me to look up information.  I will 
contact you seperately off list, as soon as I can (tonight hopefully).

Mike Riley




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