Cannonball to operate out of Penn Station.

Thomas wrote:When will the LIRR replace these DM Locomotives?

Not for awhile. Though it will be interesting to see what the LIRR would replace them with since it will have to be custom designed and built specifically to LIRR specs/requirements; the GE P32 dual modes being the only other 3rd rail/diesel-electric combo locomotives used in the US.

The bigger problem right now is seating capacity. I would seriously love to hear the then LIRR management rationalize buying ONLY 134 cars. The Cannonball could definitely use additional equipment for Hamptons reserve service now that the train originates in NYP (someone posted that it's sold out for the rest of the season). I'll defer to those with any insider info as to roughly when new locomotive and coaching stock purchases are likely to be at least considered, but again not for some time. The locos and cars are at most 15 years old and, from what I see, 1) aren't lost causes like Amtrak's "Hippos" (which are less than 15 years old) and 2) have at least 10-15 years of life left in them. Though I'll let lirr42 vouch or not for that as he rides them all the way to/from LIC and Montauk

Ocala Mike wrote:Does it ever run via the Central? Didn't it often in the past? I'm talking near and distant past here.

It has on occasion when there has been some sort of problem on the Babylon Branch. The Babylon Branch is straighter and slightly quicker (with the exception of one tiny speed restriction near Massapequa, it's 80 from Lynbrook to Babylon)

Thomas wrote:When will the LIRR replace these DM Locomotives?

The DM's have life in them still.

The better question is when will the LIRR supplement the DM's...

WHEN THEY GET MOAR COACHES..o wait


By the time they get around to supplementing them, new ones will be needed...Case in point Acela add on cars.

I had mentioned this in an earlier post a few months back but today it actually happened. I was in Mineola earlier this evening and around 5:00PM the Cannonball came through Mineola on the Mainline. Is this going to happen again or will it go back to the Babylon Branch? Unfortunately I wasnt set up in time to photograph or video the Cannonball on the Mainline I was not expecting.

LINYARailfan wrote: had mentioned this in an earlier post a few months back but today it actually happened. I was in Mineola earlier this evening and around 5:00PM the Cannonball came through Mineola on the Mainline. Is this going to happen again or will it go back to the Babylon Branch? Unfortunately I wasnt set up in time to photograph or video the Cannonball on the Mainline I was not expecting.

Lolz. Did the Cannonball appear crowded?

lirr42 wrote:The DM's have life in them still.

Are the DM's (and other LIRR locomotives) soundproof within the actual locomotive cab?

sound proof ?? NO, are they insulated yes to a certain extend, they comply with FRA guidelines.

Thomas wrote:Lolz. Did the Cannonball appear crowded?

Silly question, the Cannonball is always crowded!

Ocala Mike wrote:Does it ever run via the Central? Didn't it often in the past? I'm talking near and distant past here.

Yes, in the "distant" past The Cannonball did run via the mainline and Central Branch between Jamaica and Babylon. Here are a few photos from the 1960s and early 1970s:

Mineola http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/ ... ket_10.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mineola http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/ ... uket_3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mineola http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/ ... uket_4.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MIneola http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/lirr/2064_5.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mineola http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/ ... iner_1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Carle Place http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=52990" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hicksville/Divide Tower http://www.dominionrailvoyages.com/jhd/ ... t_14_1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bethpage http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1428723" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great pictures, and thanks for posting. Of course, I kind of knew the answer to my question as I vividly recall watching the Cannonball go through Hillside on summer afternoons back in the late 50's - early 60's. I lived right near the Hillside station, 1959-1964. Wish I was into photography at the time instead of sports!

LINYARailfan wrote:I had mentioned this in an earlier post a few months back but today it actually happened. I was in Mineola earlier this evening and around 5:00PM the Cannonball came through Mineola on the Mainline. Is this going to happen again or will it go back to the Babylon Branch? Unfortunately I wasnt set up in time to photograph or video the Cannonball on the Mainline I was not expecting.

It ran about 10 minutes late out of Penn yesterday , they were still boarding it from track 13 at around 4:15. I think that delay was what made it run via the main line (and cause congestion for other trains too)

The September TT are now posted, and I see that the "off-season" Friday only Cannonball, will continue to run direct from Penn as a peak train.
This year round train was always popular from HPA, and running direct from Penn will draw more riders without doubt.

The "westbound" Cannonball runs on Sundays through Columbus Day Weekend, as do many of the other summer extra trains.

Ken

Even the Engineer and Crew on the cannonball do not know which way they will be routed Leaving Jamaica. It depends which Line will cause less delays from friday to friday. Worked it a few times over the years, at that time it usually went down the mainline, but there were times they sent us down the Montauk.
I remember one particular time I was collecting and noticed we were going over the Montauk viaduct. Was Like..OK we can get there from here..

NYpost article on The rich are hoarding Hamptons Cannonball tickets
http://nypost.com/2014/03/21/wealthy-we ... irr-seats/

The "rich" aren't the only people who are taking the trains out to the Hamptons. Plenty of of us "regular" people make trips out to the Hamptons as well (heck, some of us even live out there )