Trail Blazer (train)
Overview | |
---|---|
Predecessor | The General |
First service | July 28, 1939 |
Last service | July 26, 1959 |
Successor | General |
Former operator(s) | Pennsylvania Railroad (1939–1959) |
Route | |
Stops |
|
Distance travelled | 907.7 miles (1,460.8 km) |
Average journey time | 17 hours |
Service frequency | Daily |
Train number(s) | 76 (Chicago to New York 77 (New York to Chicago) |
On-board services | |
Seating arrangements | 644 (14-car consist, incl. 72 Lounge seat) |
Catering facilities | Twins-Unit Dining Car |
Observation facilities | Lounge observation car |
Entertainment facilities | Radio broadcast, magazines and beverages |
Baggage facilities | Combine Baggage car provided |
Other facilities | Extra lounge car at the front-end |
Technical | |
Operating speed | 53.4 mph (86 km/h) |
The Trail Blazer was a deluxe all-coach train, inaugurated between New York and Chicago via
Two days before service began, the Trail Blazer equipment, including streamlined P70's, twin-unit diner, and observation designed by Raymond Loewy, were exhibited at Penn Station, made press runs to Philadelphia, and returned to New York on July 28 after display at Philadelphia. On July 28, 1939, service officially began, and was an immediate success. On July 29, 1939, the first eastbound Trail Blazer arrived at New York World's Fair for a special ceremony. Eastbound trips continued to run direct to the Fair.
According to
Historical photographic and films evidences showing that
In 1948, PRR re-equipped the Trail Blazer with new EMD E8 Diesel engines, new lightweight P85b 44-seat coaches and new twin-unit dining car built by PRR's own shop and ACF. In 1949, the westbound schedule shortened to 15 hours 40 mins. Due to rapidly declining demand, the Pennsylvania Railroad combined the Trail Blazer and General into one service. However, their timetable continued to distinguish the two trains until July 26, 1959, when PRR removed the name Trail Blazer" [3]
Standard Consist in 1943
According to the PRR's roster on 26 November 1943, the consist of Train #77 The Trailblazer had 14 rebuilt heavyweight passenger cars with streamlined features in total which including one PB70ER passenger baggage car, nine P70KR 56-seat coaches, one D70CR Kitchen Dormitory car with 18 berths for the staff and a D70DR full Dining car with Polaroid windows installed, one P70GSR 68-seat coach, and one POC70R coach-observation.[4]
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA Train Number: 76 The Trail Blazer, Westbound, Depart at 3pm
Destination: New York City, arrive at 9:25am
- PRR K4sDouble Headed
- PB70ER Baggage Lounge Car (25 lounge seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- D70CR Full Dining Car (60 seats, 18 tables)
- D70DR Kitchen Dormitory (18 berths)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70KR Reclining Seat Coach (56 seats)
- P70GSR Reclining Seat Coach (68 seats)
- POC70R Observation-Lounge Car (31 lounge seats, 16 dining seats, 4 tables)
Consist weight (minus locomotive): 2,124,700 lb (1,062 short tons)[5]
Motive Power
Here is a list of motive power used on the Trail Blazer:
- PRR GG14-6-0+0-6-4 electric locomotive (1939-1959, East of Harrisburg, electrified region)
- PRR K4s 4-6-2type steam locomotive (1939-1948)
- PRR S1 6-4-4-6type steam locomotive (1941-1946)
- PRR S2 6-8-6type steam turbine locomotive (1944-1948)
- PRR T1 4-4-4-4type steam locomotive (1942-1948)
- ALCO PA passenger diesel electric locomotive (1948-1952)
- BLW DR-6 passenger diesel electric locomotive (1948-1952)
- BLW DR-12 passenger diesel electric locomotive (1948-1952)
- EMD E8 passenger diesel electric locomotive (1948-1959)
References
- ^ LIFE August 21 1939
- ^ http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/Hagley/PRR1941.pdf | THE PRR CHRONOLOGY 1942
- ISBN 978-0-7603-2302-1.
- ^ "Pennsy Streamliners: The Blue Ribbon Fleet by Joe Welsh, 1999, Page 54
- ^ "PRR Passenger Car diagrams".