P.R.R. Fort Wayne Car shop early 1900's

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I’m intersted in knowing if any wesites or books exist on the P.R.R. car shops in Fort Wayne Indiana? I’m interested in car building procedures plans etc.

Thanks

2

Hmm, wife’s grandfather worked for the Nickel Plate in FW. I’ll ask her dad if he has anything on this.

John

3

Thanks, I’ll be watching for a reply.

4

Hi Matt.There is a Fort Wayne railfan website that has a forum.Perhaps if you post your question on it someone could help you. Here is a link to it www.trainweb.org/fwarailfan/ Joe G.

5

Thanks Joe G. I’ll check it out.

6

Yes, a number of books exist. I recommend you find the ACPL (Allen County Public Library) website and click on ‘book catalog’. Then enter a search term such as ‘Pennsylvania Railroad Shops’. You will have to hunt around for better search terms. ACPL carries about 200 books in the ‘railroad’ Dewey decimal section, most of which are not Ft Wayne related. (I know this from experience.)

There is one rather small book specifically about the physical layout of the shops which may help you. Alas that I forget the title.

If you can come into town, there is a double-oversized book titled “Freight Cars” by White that discusses general car construction methods when cars were more wood than metal; this era was ending by 1900 and mostly-metal cars would become standard by WW1. This book is too heavy for a 8-yr-old to carry any distance.

By 1900, PRR had centralized all the planning &c for its rolling stock in Philadelphia and Altoona. Ft Wayne mostly built stuff to the plans we were provided.

7

I’ll got to the Library and look for it being I can’t send my 8 yr old[:D]

Thanks!