Conductor Burnett's Train Book, September 27-28, 1928

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Can someone give me a street location for Shafers Crossing?  I'm not that familiar with Roanoke.

J.Kelling, in B&O/PRR/WM country in Maryland

>>> <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 03/20/05 09:44PM >>>
SEPTEMBER 27, 1928,  Train 2nd 99, Eng 1706, Roanoke to Bluefield.  67 cars.

Engineman C H Bingham, Fireman C R Jones;  Conductor ADB, Flagman Camden 
[E.N. Camden], Head End Brakeman Whitlock [Dick].

Reported 1:30am
Departed Park St 2:10am
"Picked up on #7 west of Tower" [this would by UN Tower at Shafers Crossing]
Departed WB 2:45am
Vicker 4:45am - 4:55am
Arrived Bluefield 7:50am

Train consisted of 27 mixed freight (merchandise, iron, furniture, material, 
tobacco) and 40 empty hoppers and goods.  Obviously the mixed freight was out 
of the Pull Up Yard at Park St, and the 40 empties were a "fill out" picked up 
west of Shafers Crossing.

**********************************
RETURN TRIP, SEPTEMBER 27, 1927

Ex 1706 East, Bluefield to Roanoke.  80 loads of miscellaneous (i.e. 
non-Tidewater) coal.

Same crew as above on 9/27.

Eng 1730, Engineman J R Brooks, assisting from Walton to Christiansburg.  No 
fireman's name listed.

Reported 8:15pm 9:27
Departed Bluefield 8:45pm
Ada 9:10pm - 9:30pm
Eggleston 11:20pm - 11:40pm
Walton 12:10am - ---
Christiansburg 1:00am - ---
Elliston 1:30am - 1:50am
Arrive Roanoke 2:55am 9/28
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NOTE:  Grandfather "doubled the road" this day, and made it home in 25 hours 
and 25 minutes.  Notice how fast the trains were getting over the road in the 
1920s?  They were making better time than today, even with all the stops they 
made.

-- abram burnett