(erielack) NE97-74 Utica Branch Operation Question

["Paul Brezicki" <doctorpb_@_bellsouth.net>]

I don't know about the "early days" of the detour (ie in 1974), but during
the final 5 months (and possibly before that) they were normally combined.
The "unofficial" 10/75 schedule shows the following blocks for NE-74 (aka
UT-74) at Gang Mills:
Rock Cut; Jamesville; Syracuse; Norwich; Richfield Jct; Utica; Utica-PC;
Maybrook-PC.
The train originated with it's crew at Hornell but most of it's traffic was
set off at GM by other trains. It also did work at Bingo. A far cry from the
hotshot that once originated in Chicago and had a faster schedule than the
100's! (I presume the "Bull" is the UB-22/BU-19 turn.)

As for 6-axle power, in ELIC V2 there's a shot of NE-74 detouring on the
B&SW in 3/76 (must have originated in Marion that day) with a U33C on the
point; whether or not it was changed out before Utica is an open question.

Paul B

Thanks Josh !!

We are trying to determine if during the early days of the NE97-74 operation
on the Utica Branch if six axle power was actually used, as was mentioned by
some EL trackman at the time. Also if during the first days of the "detours"
the Bull was still a separate train, or was combined in with 97-74. Those
early May dates with a DS sheet would be invaluable to reconcile numerous
memories of over 30 years ago !



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