I had another assignment where we were to get three six axles together to tack them on the hump set for extra power. I came down the main and didn't have the signal to go into the hump. The dispatcher instructed my conductor to examine the switch and see if it could be operated manually. He gets up to the switch and starts to sweep off the snow. To his suprise, there were only pieces of the switch machine scattered about. Here, the switch heater failed to light and created a pocket of propane gas. When they tried to line the switch, the electrical contactors created a spark blowing up the switch machine. We spent the rest of our tour providing light and a place to warm up in the cab for the signal maintainers installing a new machine.
I worked as an engineer in Allentown through this mess. They brought in a rotary snow blower from Buffalo and cleared half the yard by piling the snow in the center. Then, they had large loaders scooping the snow up and filling coal hoppers. They sent the hoppers down south to sit on sidings to melt the snow. Things were such a mess, I'd report for work, and wouldn't turn a wheel for 12 hours. Very few employees could make it to work. They were thankful that a few of us could get in to stand by for emergencies. My one assignment was to gather up four six axle locomotives and make my way to the east end of the hump. We would couple up and try to pull the drag of cars a bit to free them from the snows icy grip. We had very little success.
Where is this at? I remember the bad winter we got in 1995 going into 96. My grandma died that year, and my mom tried to fly to be Long Island to make it but the flights were cancelled out of Pittsburgh. And my grandpa died a year and a half after that. There were bad winters 4 years in a row, we moved from Lancaster to Washington County PA in the middle of bad snows in 1994.
@@thetrainseekers1 I'm not familiar with that town. I remember I used to live in a small coal town called Clarksville and Fredericktown in SW PA in the late 90's, we used to see Conrail go by all the time. Now I live in South Fork, which is North of Johnstown, South of Ebensburg, and I live in front of the Pittsburgh Division of the mainline, we see Norfolk Southern and Amtrak go by regularly, and we're not far from the Altoona shops. We love trains, but I miss the days of Conrail, the trains looked nicer and the equipment and rail lines were better maintained.
lived in Harmony NJ,worked for PSE&G in Plainfield NJ,They told me i was "Essential" personel.I had to come in.Sorry son,not happening.The radio was asking for snowomobilers to bring emergency patients to the hospital,it was bad!4 days before a payloader opened up Ridge road in Harmony,were vI lived.
Love seeing this older footage! And SNOW!!! ❄❄❄❄❄❄
Thanks so much! I have about 20 more VHS tapes from him to upload!
I had another assignment where we were to get three six axles together to tack them on the hump set for extra power. I came down the main and didn't have the signal to go into the hump. The dispatcher instructed my conductor to examine the switch and see if it could be operated manually. He gets up to the switch and starts to sweep off the snow. To his suprise, there were only pieces of the switch machine scattered about. Here, the switch heater failed to light and created a pocket of propane gas. When they tried to line the switch, the electrical contactors created a spark blowing up the switch machine.
We spent the rest of our tour providing light and a place to warm up in the cab for the signal maintainers installing a new machine.
I worked as an engineer in Allentown through this mess. They brought in a rotary snow blower from Buffalo and cleared half the yard by piling the snow in the center. Then, they had large loaders scooping the snow up and filling coal hoppers. They sent the hoppers down south to sit on sidings to melt the snow.
Things were such a mess, I'd report for work, and wouldn't turn a wheel for 12 hours. Very few employees could make it to work. They were thankful that a few of us could get in to stand by for emergencies. My one assignment was to gather up four six axle locomotives and make my way to the east end of the hump. We would couple up and try to pull the drag of cars a bit to free them from the snows icy grip. We had very little success.
Thanks so much for the story! Great history even though it sounded awful at the time 😮
allentown? i live in fountain hill!
Wow what a story!
He really did a great job filming this.
Thanks so much! My grandfather filmed A lot
For sure with the technology we had then
And snowing again at the end
Wow!!! What a great video and a trip back in time. In many ways thanks!!
Thanks so much! Lots more to come
My kind of winter day. Peaceful, makes you slow down and think. Youre outside and its silent.
lord god i dont ever want to see no snow stroms like that ever again thank you god, buttt i remember it
Where is this at? I remember the bad winter we got in 1995 going into 96. My grandma died that year, and my mom tried to fly to be Long Island to make it but the flights were cancelled out of Pittsburgh. And my grandpa died a year and a half after that. There were bad winters 4 years in a row, we moved from Lancaster to Washington County PA in the middle of bad snows in 1994.
Weatherly, Pennsylvania
@@thetrainseekers1 I'm not familiar with that town. I remember I used to live in a small coal town called Clarksville and Fredericktown in SW PA in the late 90's, we used to see Conrail go by all the time. Now I live in South Fork, which is North of Johnstown, South of Ebensburg, and I live in front of the Pittsburgh Division of the mainline, we see Norfolk Southern and Amtrak go by regularly, and we're not far from the Altoona shops. We love trains, but I miss the days of Conrail, the trains looked nicer and the equipment and rail lines were better maintained.
lived in Harmony NJ,worked for PSE&G in Plainfield NJ,They told me i was "Essential" personel.I had to come in.Sorry son,not happening.The radio was asking for snowomobilers to bring emergency patients to the hospital,it was bad!4 days before a payloader opened up Ridge road in Harmony,were vI lived.
Call me crazy🤪
But I count 8- 8’s on first three locos.