Anyone have information about “The Southerner” passenger train? Where did it run during the 1950’s? What was the typical consist of cars during the 1950’s?
Hi Craig,
It depends on exactly when in the 1950s you want to represent. That link Jim sent shows the train’s original 1941 all-coach consist, which stayed basically the same into 1951. In the winter of '51-'52, however, the train started carrying a 10-6 sleeper between New York and Birmingham. More sleepers were added over the next few years, and by 1957 the Official Guide listing shows the Southerner’s equipment as follows:
Diner, New York-New Orleans
Tavern lounge, Washington-Atlanta
22-seat coach-baggage, Washington-Atlanta
52-seat coach, Washington-New Orleans
52-seat coach, New York-New Orleans
2 52-seat coaches, New York-Birmingham
11 bedroom or 10-6 sleeper, New York-Atlanta
10-6 sleeper, New York-Atlanta
10-6 sleeper, New York-Birmingham
2 10-6 sleepers, New York to Ashevile (sout
I am looking at 1955-57 as the year(s) to model. I want to be as prototypical as possible with respect to the N&W and Southern Railway and what trains they ran. I am using the 1950’s as brood time frame but more specifically about 1955. I am looking at Bluefield, WV or Roanoke, VA as the site for my main yard which is about in the physical “middle” of the layout.
Craig,
I am no N&W/SOU ‘expert’, but the SOU used a N&W line just outside of DC and then picked up their own rail later. I do not believe that the Southerner or Crescent went via Roanoke or Bluefield. Maybe some of the SOU fans can add more information here.
Jim
Craig,
I believe Jim must be thinking of the Lynchburg-Bristol segment of the N&W that some Southern trains used as we discussed earlier. The Southern had its own line from Washington to Atlanta, whereas the N&W didn’t reach DC at all. Lynchburg, where the Southern crossed the N&W’s main line from Norfolk to Roanoke, is about 150 miles from DC via the Southern’s fairly direct route. Roanoke is about 54 miles west-southwest of Lynchburg via the N&W.
Coming from Washington, the Southerner passed through Lynchburg but continued on the Southern through Danville, Va., and Greenville, S.C., to reach Atlanta. So it crossed the N&W at Lynchburg but didn’t run on the N&W for any part of its run.
Merry Christmas,
Andy