David - The “lashup” term is, in fact, pretty old. It showed up about the same time as that diesel newsletter “Extra 2200 South” did, if I’m not mistaken, and may have been coined by them. TRAINS Senior Editor Dave Ingles has been known to use the term, for which I always try to skewer him . . .
But to me, it always sounded like it was an effort by some avid railfan to appear super-knowledgable, if you know what I mean.
I didn’t mean to offend, but I’ve heard the term so many times by so many foamers over the years that it’s like scraping fingernails across a blackboard.
I’m in the same spot as Old Timer. While I only have 3 railroad names on my resume (4 if you count IC and ICG) and only 13 or so years seniority, I don’t recall “lashup”. Consist is the term I remember.
On the other hand, that is almost all I know about railroad locomotives so keep the cards, letters and great articles coming.
Well, “lashup” may not be the kosher term, but I would still understand what someone meant. I’ve worked at a few pizza joints in my time and at all of them I have used pizza hut terminology to understand what customers want. Trademarks aside everyone has they’re version of a meat lovers or a supreme that are pretty close to the same. So for my customers ease of understanding I view them as universal terms.
I remember the Train Masters on the CNJ running on the NY&LB when I was stationed at Fort Monmouth in 1954. They had replaced the Baldwins that had replaced the camelback 4-6-0’s which I remebered from my Fort Monmouth summer camp days in 1952 (the summer I rode behind an E-6 Atlantic from Sea Girt to Princeton Junction on a Red Bank - Trenton train, subsituting for the doodlebug and trailer). But PRR K-4’s operated on the line all during this period and they were what was most interesting to me.
Old Timer, you certainly did not offend me. It’s always good to clear the air. And I do understand the annoyance of certain terms to professionals. Never a problem. Now let’s see if I can remember not to use “that” term the next time I’m writing!
There is a “baby Trainmaster” awaiting restoration at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Calera, Alabama. According to their VP of Operations, it’s a former US Army switcher. They had it running less than seven years ago, but now it rests quietly on their “to do” track.
Well, museums are always struggleing to stretch they’re limited funds to do everything they want. So alot of times there are many projects on the back burner.
New term
I notice you are putting an increasing amount of emphasis upon weird combinations of various types of diesel units coupled in M.U. and pulling trains. Why not call them by the term used on the railroads: “lash-ups.” This sort of thing is on the increase as roads learn the value of having M.U. jumpers on both ends of most all units, and it provides a wide scope of interest for railfanning. Bert Pennypacker
It is possible the term “lashup” originated from the large number of cables and hoses that had to be conected to make the early diesels MU’ed. When viewed by the uninitiated and there couplers hidden by said cables and hoses they appeared to be "lashed’ together? I was under the impression “consist” reffered to the contents of the entire train. “They had a solid “consist” of coal.” [2c] As always ENJOY
As the late great frank Zappa used to ask Is that a poncho or a sears poncho? Is it a lashup or a consist? Is it a waycar or a caboose? Is it a zit or a skin blemish? I give up.My dummy brain hurts.