by MACTRAXX
Everyone:
During a recent RMLI visit I found a overview dating from 1971-1972 describing the then-new LIRR push-pull
train service concept. This was mixed in with a group of LIRR historical ephemera that was being sorted.
This was a typewritten document of a single page with this description:
PUSH-PULL TRAIN OPERATION
A train will consist of a standard diesel locomotive on one end, a power car on the other end and about six
converted 2800 series cars in between. The standard locomotive used will be one of our regular passenger
locomotives. The power car is a converted ALCO locomotive. They will supply 600 volt power for heat, light
and air conditioning on the 2800 Series cars. The power car will also have a push-pull control station cab
to operate the train in the opposite direction.
LOCOMOTIVES
Any of our standard passenger locomotives can be used in this service. There will be a slight modification of
passenger locomotives before they are used. The signal system will have an electric buzzer in addition to the
standard air signal. The car brake system will be essentially the same. The double heading cock will be in the
single locomotive position. The double heading cock on the power car must be set for single locomotives and
not double headed.
POWER CARS
There will be a total of six power cars in operation. These power cars are from converted ALCO freight
locomotives. The diesel engines and and main generators will be operated at constant speed/voltage
(650 volts DC). This DC power will be trainlined into the 2800 series cars. The purpose of the power
cars is to supply 600 volt power to operate the heat, air-conditioning, lights and all auxiliaries on the
cars. The power car cab will also contain a push-pull station. The push-pull station will be trainlined
through the 2800 Series cars by way of a new 27 point jumper to the locomotive on the other end of
the train. The diesel engine in the power car will not supply any of the traction power for the train.
This will only supply power to operate the features in the 2800 Series cars.
2800 SERIES CARS
There is a total of 44 cars in this service. They will be taken out of MU service for this conversion. These cars
have a standard 600 volt electrical system. All of the electrical system will be maintained as is. The contact
shoes and shoe beam will be removed because the power for these cars will now come from the power car.
A 27 point jumper will pass through each of these cars to carry the push-pull feature from the power car to
the locomotive. The air door system on these cars will still be in operation. The number of 2800 Series cars
that can operate in any train will vary up to a maximum of 8 cars. Each of the odd-numbered cars will be
equipped with a lavatory. These cars are all air-conditioned. The cars will have the old 4 point jumper for
the 600 volt positive line. The cars will also have a new pair of jumpers for the 600 volt negative line. The
negative line is necessary because these trains will operate in territory where the rails do not have traction
bonds.
Another interesting observation is that this document had a hand-drawn example train on its heading with
these car and locomotive numbers left to right: 1556(RS3); 2801, 2802, 2843, 2844 and PC-6. (original
power cab class). The original six FA2 power cabs (later nicknamed "Power Packs") were 601 to 606.
The original push-pull concept was a success and would be used for around 30 years in LIRR service
from 1971 to 2000.
More former MU cars and other locomotives would be later converted over time for train service.
I typed out the text of this document since I have no scanning capability...MACTRAXX
During a recent RMLI visit I found a overview dating from 1971-1972 describing the then-new LIRR push-pull
train service concept. This was mixed in with a group of LIRR historical ephemera that was being sorted.
This was a typewritten document of a single page with this description:
PUSH-PULL TRAIN OPERATION
A train will consist of a standard diesel locomotive on one end, a power car on the other end and about six
converted 2800 series cars in between. The standard locomotive used will be one of our regular passenger
locomotives. The power car is a converted ALCO locomotive. They will supply 600 volt power for heat, light
and air conditioning on the 2800 Series cars. The power car will also have a push-pull control station cab
to operate the train in the opposite direction.
LOCOMOTIVES
Any of our standard passenger locomotives can be used in this service. There will be a slight modification of
passenger locomotives before they are used. The signal system will have an electric buzzer in addition to the
standard air signal. The car brake system will be essentially the same. The double heading cock will be in the
single locomotive position. The double heading cock on the power car must be set for single locomotives and
not double headed.
POWER CARS
There will be a total of six power cars in operation. These power cars are from converted ALCO freight
locomotives. The diesel engines and and main generators will be operated at constant speed/voltage
(650 volts DC). This DC power will be trainlined into the 2800 series cars. The purpose of the power
cars is to supply 600 volt power to operate the heat, air-conditioning, lights and all auxiliaries on the
cars. The power car cab will also contain a push-pull station. The push-pull station will be trainlined
through the 2800 Series cars by way of a new 27 point jumper to the locomotive on the other end of
the train. The diesel engine in the power car will not supply any of the traction power for the train.
This will only supply power to operate the features in the 2800 Series cars.
2800 SERIES CARS
There is a total of 44 cars in this service. They will be taken out of MU service for this conversion. These cars
have a standard 600 volt electrical system. All of the electrical system will be maintained as is. The contact
shoes and shoe beam will be removed because the power for these cars will now come from the power car.
A 27 point jumper will pass through each of these cars to carry the push-pull feature from the power car to
the locomotive. The air door system on these cars will still be in operation. The number of 2800 Series cars
that can operate in any train will vary up to a maximum of 8 cars. Each of the odd-numbered cars will be
equipped with a lavatory. These cars are all air-conditioned. The cars will have the old 4 point jumper for
the 600 volt positive line. The cars will also have a new pair of jumpers for the 600 volt negative line. The
negative line is necessary because these trains will operate in territory where the rails do not have traction
bonds.
Another interesting observation is that this document had a hand-drawn example train on its heading with
these car and locomotive numbers left to right: 1556(RS3); 2801, 2802, 2843, 2844 and PC-6. (original
power cab class). The original six FA2 power cabs (later nicknamed "Power Packs") were 601 to 606.
The original push-pull concept was a success and would be used for around 30 years in LIRR service
from 1971 to 2000.
More former MU cars and other locomotives would be later converted over time for train service.
I typed out the text of this document since I have no scanning capability...MACTRAXX
EXPRESS TRAIN TO NEW YORK PENN STATION-NO JAMAICA ON THIS TRAIN-PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING TRAIN DOORS