I know that the NCL (in its streamliner years) generally operated with an A-B-B-A EMD set. When the Seattle and Portland sections were split in Spokane on the westbound trains, were the four units split two and two for the two sections? My guess would be no; and that the four units were serviced in order to take the next eastbound. I suppose that SP&S also supplied locos for the split sections at times. Anyone know?

shawsinoly@aol.com

The SP&S hauled the Empire Builder cars out of Spokane to Portland. At Pasco, Washington, it added the North Coast Limited cars. And eastbound the same transfer points were used.

The SP&S used their own locomotives and had their own cars on the train. It's cars included a sleeper-lounge with 6 roomttes and 3 double bedrooms, coach(es) and diner.

Brian Norden


bnorden@gateway.net

The NP ran A-B-A F units on their passenger trains. When the Main Streeter was dieselized and streamlined it had A-B-B consists but that complicated servicing even though it produced a very good looking train.

For further info on NP diesels I would recommed "The Diesel Era" by Schrenk and Frey which covers the development of diesel power on the NP. Also available are "Supersteam Era" and "Classic Steam Era". I hope that the final book in the series that should cover the begining of the RR in the works.

No I'm not a dealer. I do support authors that write good books that may never pay the costs to produce.

Paul D


pfdx@aol.com