Helpers: Roanoke to Christiansburg

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Does anyone have any information about the operation of helpers on the east slope of Allegheny Mountain?

The old timers (1915 men) told me that in their early days, trains would be assisted by two helper engines on the head end of the train from Glenvar to Elliston  (W's, or an M and a W.)  At Elliston, that set of helpers would cut off and another pair of engines would couple on for the trip up the mountain the Christiansburg (again W's, or an M and a W.)  I think they told me that the two engines from Elliston would work one ahead and one behind the train.

The two Conductor's Train Books that I have from my grandfather show that trains were wtill being assisted by a single M2 from Elliston to Christiansburg.

Oh, if I had only asked more questions !

Does anyone have any information on this operation, e.g. whether the helper engines came out of Roanoke fresh for each trip, or if they were kept and serviced at Elliston, where they took coal, etc?

-- abram burnett
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