1). June 19, 1936 - MCR train No. 44 carried an unusual car. A large fish car from John G. Sheld Aquarium of Chicago en route to Massachusetts for loading.
2). March 25, 1937 - The NYC dispatched six hudsons in three sets of doubleheaders from St Thomas to Hamilton on the TH&B with one coach load of train crews for Easter traffic.
3). April 27, 1937 - The towerman at Pelton Junction threw a Pere Marquette train off the track when he saw an approaching NYC passenger train he quickly changed his instructions to the PM train and set a derail against the PM train.
4). September 23, 1937 - The Rock Island Railroad “Rocket” makes a trip through St Thomas. The latest stainless steel streamlined train passed over the CASO en route to Chicago. It happened at 6:45 Wednesday evening and it was pulled by NYC 4390
**5).**September 30, 1937 - CASO rails get annual crude oil bath - Oiler started in Windsor and worked east.
6). March 11, 1938 - 4 sections of the 20th Century Limited travel over the CASO due to derailment at Dunkirk, NY - Fourth time 20th Century Limited has detoured over the CASO. </
A sign of things to come 70 years later, unfortunately too late for the CASO.
Much refined fuel was also moved as part of the war effort, and many of the tank cars were in less than perfect condition.
A book of mine on CN’s Niagara operations of that era contains an interesting story of fuel theft. With gas rationing in effect driving became a luxury. So some creative employees at CN’s Niagara Falls yard noticed a tank car with a cracked end, set it over to the RIP track and ran it up on the end block, causing the remaining fuel to pour out into their waiting containers.
One fellow filled up his Buick and drove home. When he arrived the engine would not shut down, and upon popping the hood he saw that the exhaust manifold and several other parts were glowing bright red.
The tank car had contained high-octane aircraft fuel.
Probably for the same reason the slogan said “Water Level Route - You Can Sleep”. C&O had very solid track but plenty of curves, grades and thrashing. Even the comparative calm of being hauled by steam turbines said to never finish a run without some kind of breakdown couldn’t keep the slosh from being lethal.