Steam Doubleheaders

[NW Mailing List]

I am not going to speak for steam engines.  The Virginian Electrics, that
went into service in 1924, had a radio transmitter and receiver system for
communications between the lead electric locomotive set and the pusher in
the rear.  This was necessary because the speed controls in the electrics
had different requirements than steam locomotives when starting the
trains.  Sometimes there was over a mile between the two when the trains
started out of Elmore Yard in Mullens, WV.  Being in the mountains, the
whistles could not always be heard at that distance.  The radio system
provided the same information to the Engineers as the whistles on the
locomotives.  There were reliability issues because the "electronics" of
the era were not built for industrial environments. The poor ride quality
of those early electrics caused a lot of "shake rattle and roll" to the
electronic components in the systems.  Maybe some of the steam locomotive
enthusiasts could shed more light on steam locomotives starting long coal
trains under conditions found in yards such as Elmore and C&O, Fulton Yard
in Richmond, VA.

Sam Holben

On Wed, Feb 3, 2021 at 7:16 PM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Thank you Roger (and Jim),
>
> That makes complete sense. I don't know why I didn't think about whistle
> signals. I also suspect that very experienced engineers would have a "feel"
> for the train and know what was required.
>
> Tom Fulton
>
> On Wed, Feb 3, 2021 at 2:55 PM NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <
> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
>> Tom,
>>
>> The crews knew the railroad and what would be required at all times to
>> control trains both up and down grades allowing for curves, weather or any
>> restrictions. No, there was no direct communication between engines and
>> everything relied on experience and skill. The rule book governed many
>> things such as speeds at certain locations or other special situations and
>> crews were obligated to follow the rules. Whistle signals were the main
>> source of communication but they were just basically used when starting and
>> a few other instances.
>>
>> Roger Huber
>> Deer Creek Locomotive Works
>>
>>
>> On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 06:57:44 AM CST, NW Mailing List <
>> nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I have a question about when steam engines pulled trains in tandem (if
>> that's the right term for it.) I assume that today's locomotives are
>> connected electronically which allows the power output to be balanced. But
>> there was no such connection during the steam era. (I think.) And clearly
>> each locomotive required an engineer and a fireman. So did the engineers
>> communicate in some manner to balance the power? Would they set up a system
>> of ropes and bells perhaps? Hand signals? Early radios? Or did the
>> engineers just set a plan in place before they started the trip?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Tom Fulton
>> Asheville, NC
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