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1953 trip across GN's electrified zone
Author: Butler
Date: 09-12-2009 - 01:39
In the summer of 1953 my father was invited to take a cab ride from Skykomish to Wenatchee in the cab of W class electric 5019. Here are a few of his pictures from that trip.
#5 makes a brief pause at Skykomish.
The Empire Builder, #2, on time from Seattle at 5:23 PM
arrival in Skykomish. 13 cars. 504 is an EMD E7 unit.
5019 is Coupled and ready. Switch aligned.
Looking back from the Fireman’s side; do the passengers give
a thought to the engine crew?
Approaching a curve the pantographs seem about to slide off
the trolley wire.
West end of Cascade tunnel at Scenic. Still 8 miles of 1.57%
upgrade. It used to cost $1,000,000 a year to maintain the
snowsheds.
Wear on trolley wire 0.001”/year. Resistance 0.2 ohm/mile
trolley to rail out and back. Copper cadmium beryllium alloy. 0000
equivalent. 2300# tension, 150 ft span.
We went thru the unit to the rear cab for a view of the train as
we near the Columbia river.
On time - Wenatchee 7:20 P.M.
#5 makes a brief pause at Skykomish.
The Empire Builder, #2, on time from Seattle at 5:23 PM
arrival in Skykomish. 13 cars. 504 is an EMD E7 unit.
5019 is Coupled and ready. Switch aligned.
Looking back from the Fireman’s side; do the passengers give
a thought to the engine crew?
Approaching a curve the pantographs seem about to slide off
the trolley wire.
West end of Cascade tunnel at Scenic. Still 8 miles of 1.57%
upgrade. It used to cost $1,000,000 a year to maintain the
snowsheds.
Wear on trolley wire 0.001”/year. Resistance 0.2 ohm/mile
trolley to rail out and back. Copper cadmium beryllium alloy. 0000
equivalent. 2300# tension, 150 ft span.
We went thru the unit to the rear cab for a view of the train as
we near the Columbia river.
On time - Wenatchee 7:20 P.M.
1953 trip across GN's electrified zone