This was recently posted on the EL email list - I though it was interesting, especially since some of the cars are very familiar and other I have never heard of:

In the recent past there has been discussion of High Iron Passenger trips run on the EL. I have recently obtained a four page memo from the Office of the General Superintendent regarding the High Iron trip from Hoboken to Binghamton on May 26 & 27, 1973. Here is the transcription of the memo for your enjoyment.

If anyone has photos from this trip they would care to share I would like to see them.

Ed Olszewski

Here is the transcription of the memo:


OFFICE OP THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
HOBOKEN, N.J.
May 21, 1973
ALL CONCERNED :

Arrange for the operation of a PASSENGER EXTRA for the accommodation of HIGH IRON COMPANY-Excursion, approximately 975 persons, en route from Hoboken to Binghamton and return on May 26 and 27, 1973. Train will depart from Track 17, Hoboken Terminal, with the following consist:

D&H Steam Engine 302
1 Auxiliary Tender
1 Crew Car "Conneaut" (Baggage end west)
1 E-L Business Car-3 (Observation end west)
1 D&H Rail Tours Coach 1158
6 RDOT Coaches
1 D&H Baggage Car 1328
6 RDOT Coaches
1 Diner X-NYC 448 (Lounge end facing west)
1 Lounge Gar X-NYC 406
1 Pullman Eugene Field (Vestibule end west)
1 Pullman "Clover Colony"
1 Parlor Car AMTRAK 3641
1 Private Car "Brothers Two" (observation to the east)

23 cars & 1 engine

Train is to operate from Hoboken Passenger Terminal via Main Tracks 2 or 4, Bergen Tunnel; thence, the Bergen County Line, Graham Line, on the following schedule:

Lv. Hoboken 0830 hours May 26th
Ar. Mile Post 60 (Graham Line) 1010 " "

NOTE: Train will back up a sufficient distance under flag protection for a photo run-by.

Lv. Mile Post 60 1040 hours May 26th
Ar. Port Jervis 1125 " "
Lv. Port Jervis 1135 " "
Ar. Callicoon 1305 " "

NOTE: Train will pull into Passenger Terminal and passengers will be permitted only to detrain from the six (6) west RDOT coaches. All other coach-pullman baggage car doors are to be closed prior to arrival at Callicoon.

Lv. Callicoon 1350 "
Ar. Stockport Crossing 1425 "

NOTE: Locomotive to be stopped just west of Signal 157.1 and passengers are to be permitted to detrain on the left side only and to occupy field to the left of right-of-way. Train is then to be backed a sufficient distance under flag protection for a photo run-by.

Lv. Stockport Crossing 1455 "
Ar. Susquehanna l6l0 "

NOTE: Locomotive to stop opposite "SR" Tower. Pasaengers to be permitted to detrain on left side only and occupy service area. Train is then to be backed up a sufficient distance under flag protection for a photo run -by.

Lv. Susquehanna 1640 "
Ar. Binghamton 1800 "

NOTE: Upon arrival at Binghamton, N. Y., train will stop west of "BD" tower; thence, back east to former Lackawanna Main Track; thence, pull west to Binghamton Station, Main Track No. 4, and stop at a point east of overhead bridge located at the west end of station platform. After passengers have detrained, the entire train is to be turned in tact and Business Car-3, NYC Diner 448, NYC Lounge Car 406, the Pullman Eugene Field, the Pullman "Clover Colony", AMTRAK Parlor Car 3641, and Business Car "Brothers Two" to be placed on standby. Business Car-3, Pullman Eugene Field, "Clover Colony," and "Brothers Two" will be occupied. Locomotive should be coaled and watered Saturday evening and entire train thoroughly cleaned and watered and an ample supply of soap, paper towels and toilet tissues.


RETURN TRIP: May 27, 1973

Train is to be switched and consist completed no later than 0730 hours and operate via Scranton, Morristown-Boonton Line.

Lv. Binghamton 0900 hours May 27th
Ar. Mile Post 167.7 0935 "

NOTE: Passengers to be permitted to detrain on left side only occupying service road. Train is then to be backed up under flag protection a sufficient distance for a photo run-by.

Lv. Mile Post 167.7 1005 hours
Ar. Tunkhannock Viaduct 1030 "

NOTE: Train should stop with the east end of Diner, NYC-448, clear of the Viaduct. Passengers will only be allowed to detrain on the right side of the train and only from the eight (8) rear RDOT Coaches for one or more photo run-bys across the Viaduct. Under no circumstances will passengers be permitted to detrain from the head four RDOT coaches or from the rear Pullman cars. After passengers are detrained, train will then be backed a sufficient distance across the Viaduct under flag protection for the photo run-bys.

Lv. Tunkhannock Viaduct 1100 hours
Ar. Scranton 1140 "

NOTE: Locomotive to stop at most easterly end of station platform and be positioned to take coal and water. Scranton Fire Department will be on hand to assist in the watering of the engines. Passengers will be permitted to detrain and visit Railway passenger station which will be open for Inspection.

Lv. Scranton 1225 hours
Ar. Gouldsboro 1315 "

NOTE: Passengers to be permitted to detrain on left side only occupying service road. Train will then back up a sufficient distance under flag protection for photo run-by. Special attention is to be given to Gouldsboro Crossing so that it is properly protected while the engine is backing up for the photo run-by.

Lv. Gouldsboro 1345 hours
Ar. Stroudsburg 1430 "

NOTE: Train to stop at east end of Station and be positioned for the Stroudsburg Fire Department who will arrange to supply water for the engine.

Lv. Stroudsburg 1500 hours
Ar. Dover 1555 "
Lv. Dover 1559 "
Ar. Hoboken 1705 "

NOTE: On arrival at Hoboken, train will arrive on Track No. 17 and yard-engine will set over 12 rear cars to Track No.l6.

New York Division Central Crew Callers will arrange for the necessary crews to operate this train. All other divisions arrange for crews in the usual manner.

New York Division Chief Dispatcher will see to it that there is absolutely no deviation of the established route from Track 17 Hoboken Terminal via Main Track 2 or Main Track 4, Bergen Tunnel; thence, Bergen County-Graham Line. Train should also operate New York Division Main Track 3 between WJ and SF.

Division Chief Dispatchers should also make the necessary arrangements account of the anticipation of large crowds to stop all train movements on opposing tracks while this train is passing.

High Iron Company will provide its own mechanical staff and will also have the service of a physician on board in case of emergency.

Superintendent Conner will please arrange for the make up of train at Binghamton as indicated above.

Erie Lackawanna will have two (2) police officers aboard the train for the entire trip; additionally, High Iron has made the necessary arrangements with Binghamton Police Department to be on hand at Binghamton Station upon arrival. Also, they have arranged with the Pennsylvania State Troopers to be on hand at both ends of the Tunkhannock Viaduct.

Superintendent Kithcart will arrange to have helper engine at Nayaug. Also, this helper engine should lay a maximum amount of sand on rail between Scranton and Nayaug.

As additional information, train crews assigned on the respective divisions will not have to collect any transportation. High Iron Company has arrange for all the necessary personnel to handle each coach.

C. E. Wogan
General Superintendent

Imagine such a trip offered today. All those runbys!

"Imagine such a trip offered today. All those runbys!"

This was HICO's third two-day Hoboken-Binghamton trip; by this point, it was almost routine!

HICO tried to offer two runbys each day on the two-day trips, and at least tow, if not three, on the one-day trips. And, no restriction about getting off the train for water and servicing stops, etc.

Howard P.
Pokadot Hat, NY