1958 - SCC Sets Hearing Next Week on C&O Train Service Requests

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  Roanoke Times - March 13, 1958

SCC Sets Hearing Next Week on C&O Train Service Requests

   RICHMOND, March 12 (AP) - More hearings in the relentless curtailing of 
railroad passenger service will be conducted by the State Corporation 
Commission next week.
   The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway is seeking radical schedule changes in 
two trains operating between Charlottesville and Clifton Forge on the run 
to Cincinnati. The changes would involve the elimination of several regular 
and flag stops.
   Both trains carry a large bulk of mail and the changes are sought to 
speed the mail service. However, some opposition is expected because of the 
elimination of passenger stops.
   Train No. 13, westbound, now leaves Charlottesville at 7:30 a.m. and 
arrives at Clifton Forge at 11:30 a.m. It is proposed that it leave at 3:35 
a.m. and arrive at 6:20 a.m.
   Train No. 104, eastbound, now leaves Clifton Forge at 6:30 p.m. and 
arrives at Charlottesville at 9:55 p.m. It is proposed that it leave at 
8:25 a.m. and arrive at 11:05 a.m. The hearing on these two trains will be 
Tuesday, march 18.
   On Wednesday the C&O will propose change in trains Nos. 46, 47 and 41 
operating between Newport News and Charlottesville to speed service, 
eliminate certain stops and eliminate some pullman service.
   No. 47 now leaves Newport News at 8:450 a.m., arrives at Richmond at 
10:30 a.m., and at Charlottesville at 1:15 p.m. It is proposed that it 
leave Newport News at 8:10 a.m., arrive in Richmond at 9:30 a.m. and at 
Charlottesville at 11:25 a.m.
   It is proposed that this be a short streamlined train composed of three 
self-propelled Budd car units, the first to be installed in Virginia. When 
it gets to Charlottesville, it would turn right around and go back to 
Newport News under this schedule: Leave Charlottesville at 12:15 p.m., get 
to Richmond at 2 p.m., and at Newport News at 3:25 p.m. At present the 
east-bound train, No. 46 leaves Charlottesville at 12:44 p.m., arrives at 
Richmond at 3:15 p.m., and at Newport News at 5:20 p.m.
   Since this type of train is not capable of handling additional cars, no 
pullman service would be provided east of Charlottesville. A presently 
operated pullman car from Richmond to Detroit would be available between 
Charlottesville and Detroit only.
   It it proposed to discontinue pullman service on train No. 41, which now 
leaves Newport News at 3:05 p.m, and arrives at Richmond at 4:40 p.m. This 
train would leave at 3:40 p.m. and arrive at 5 p.m. Passengers could take a 
pullman to Chicago out of Richmond on No. 41, with departure time at 5:10 p.m.
   A pullman car now operating between Richmond and Cincinnati on No. 41 
would be taken off, but another pullman car would be available from 
Charlottesville to Cincinnati.
   On Thursday, March 20, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad will petition 
the SCC to eliminate two main line trains from Richmond south to Florence, 
S.C. The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad will ask on March 25 
to discontinue the same trains north of Richmond.
   ACL wants to consolidate trains Nos. 75 and 89 (south-bound) south of 
Richmond and Nos. 376 and 80 (northbound) south of Richmond. RF&P train No. 
16 would be consolidated with ACL No. 376; and RF&P No. 23 would be 
consolidated with ACL No. 75.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link