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Re: Why is the engineer always located on the right side?
Author: Hot Water
Date: 10-25-2019 - 13:22
Desilu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Date: 06/02/02
> C&NW Left-hand Running
> Author: lynnpowell
>
> The original C&NW, built west out of Chicago, was
> built to left-hand running standards; they ran on
> the left track, signals were on the left-hand side
> of the track, and early steam locomotives had the
> engineers controls on the left-hand side of the
> cab."
Sorry but, that is not correct. The ORIGINAL railroad (predecessor of C&NW?) was built as single track, westward, with all the passenger depots (for Chicago commuters) constructed on the north side of the track, in order to protect the passengers from the cold north winds of the winter mornings, while waiting for their train/trains into downtown Chicago. As commuter business, and freight business, increased, a second main line track was added on the south side of the first, original main track. Since all the depots were on the north side, the C&NW continued to operate all their in-bound trains to Chicago on the north, i.e. left track. The current METRA West Line, which is now 3 main tracks, is still operated as "left hand running" to this day.
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Date: 06/02/02
> C&NW Left-hand Running
> Author: lynnpowell
>
> The original C&NW, built west out of Chicago, was
> built to left-hand running standards; they ran on
> the left track, signals were on the left-hand side
> of the track, and early steam locomotives had the
> engineers controls on the left-hand side of the
> cab."
Sorry but, that is not correct. The ORIGINAL railroad (predecessor of C&NW?) was built as single track, westward, with all the passenger depots (for Chicago commuters) constructed on the north side of the track, in order to protect the passengers from the cold north winds of the winter mornings, while waiting for their train/trains into downtown Chicago. As commuter business, and freight business, increased, a second main line track was added on the south side of the first, original main track. Since all the depots were on the north side, the C&NW continued to operate all their in-bound trains to Chicago on the north, i.e. left track. The current METRA West Line, which is now 3 main tracks, is still operated as "left hand running" to this day.
