This one twisted me up a little - I had to search through other predecessor railroads - some that I'm not that familiar with. Then I re-read the order and figured out that since the purpose of the order was a correction to the engine number, it was just a goof! Just goes to show that none of us can ever be perfect!
Sometimes the dispatcher goofs. Other times, they are supplied with incorrect information. In this instance, there should not have been a major problem. As any train meeting the mis-identified engine, should have held their position. And contacted their dspr. Of course, in those days, you also had more eyes watching for such troubles. Those lineside operators. And additional crew members. Also, someone who'd been in service a few years, might have recognized an unfamiliar engine number, and questioned it. Boxcab E50
Well...... I have about two dozen more scans to upload. After that, it's up to any resulting conversation. So, join in on the fun. Boxcab E50
I believe the Ann Arbor Railroad also ran in this town? Did the AA, and C&O cross? Thompsonville, Michigan: Boxcab E50
I don't know much about Thompsonville, but here's a link to a web site about the Ann Arbor - check out the first photo - picking up flimsies! http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/annarbor.html EDIT: Oh yeah - the Pere Marquette (C&O) did cross the Ann Arbor here!
Durand My wife is from the town of Durand. Lots of Railroad history as well as still a big train town. Thanks for the link.
It's kind of embarrassing, but I have not been over to the Durand area to catch the Pere Marquette Berk 1225 running... I need to get on that!
Real nice staged photos of 1225 in the July 2007 issue of Railfan & Railroad magazine. They left the engine dirty after running some Polar Express excursions during the winter, and in April set up some photo runbys outside of Owosso. The used some authentic vintage cars, like a Pere Marquette box car, and an Ann Arbor car. There is a photo taken by the Carland Elevator with a couple vintage trucks which is just spectacular.
This one is very strangely worded. Seems to me some words are slightly out of sequence. Trowbridge (Lansing), Michigan: Boxcab E50
I know this is the same location, as the order just posted above. However, for some reason, the word "Tower" appears. Whereas it had not previously. So, was there, (officially), a station name change? Or, is this simply an oddity? Also, a bit unusual, is the use of a rubber stamped name. Trowbridge Tower (Lansing), Michigan: Boxcab E50
Whoever copied this, used a very blunt stylus, and no tin seperator. Resulting in a large amount of carbon ink being transferred. Twelfth Street (Richmond), Virginia: Boxcab E50
Check out this web page: http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/Stations/CountyStations/InghamStations/TrowbridgeMI.htm Has a picture of Trowbridge Tower where the C&O crosses the Grand Trunk Western. Also, photo shows that there is a Form 19 train order signal displayed. This is on the Lansing Subdivision of CSX today.
Oops. I forgot to ask. If this tower was C&O owned, was it always theirs? Or might it at one time have been Pere Marquette? Boxcab E50