"Let off Steam" Final run of steam-heated coaches Date ID?

[nyandw]

Sent to me, no date provided: "My guess is this event happened in the mid to late 1970s. I’ll speculate this was a train of steam heated P72 coaches pulled by an Alco Century 420. The consist may have included a heavyweight private commuter club car, or maybe one of the Phoebe Snow observation cars working in that role...Eventually, all of the P72 coaches were converted from steam heat to electric heat, which was powered by the car’s own diesel generator system...

If one of you has an old timetable, you may be able to identify the train number based on the 4:34 PM departure time from Hunterspoint Avenue and the destination of Port Jefferson..."

[4behind2]

1978.

The last train most likely was Tr. 658. 2900's and 7000 ex B&M cars.

For years there was a "Mike and Ike" hand made plaque in the Trainman's room in Port Jefferson, with two steam metallics and the last date.

[Nasadowsk]

Didn't 'We serve with pride' come in during the Gabreski era? That'd narrow it down a bit..

[FrankAndCindy]

hi everyone, I believe it is train 648 with 16 mixed coaches. Thanks Frank and Cindy

[nyandw]

[quote="4behind2"]1978. The last train most likely was Tr. 658. 2900's and 7000 ex B&M cars.

I found this in the ETT #2, effective May 20, 1974. It indicates train #656 leaving Hunterspoint Avenue at 4:34 pm, arriving at Port Jefferson at 6:24 pm. BUT, not definitive.

4behind2: Was that from the timetable? "The last train most likely was Tr. 658. 2900's and 7000 ex B&M cars.
"

[C-LINER 2001]

It was Mid-March 1979.

[MACTRAXX]

Didn't 'We serve with pride' come in during the Gabreski era? That'd narrow it down a bit..

Yes...Frank Gabreski was President of the LIRR during the years 1978 to 1981. MACTRAXX

[jhdeasy]

hi everyone, I believe it is train 648 with 16 mixed coaches. Thanks Frank and Cindy

I find it hard to believe that any Port Jefferson train of the 1970s operated with 16 mixed (as in P72, former B&M/BAR, and possibly other heritage) coaches. Maybe 10 to 12 coaches at the maximum would be consistent with all that I have seen, read and been told.

[FrankAndCindy]

Hello jhdeasy, Years ago I worked this train with 16 mixed cars. The next port jeff train had 15 p72 and p75 cars . I worked that one too. That would be Old man Kenny Kempsters train. Thanks Frank and Cindy

[4behind2]

In much later years, Tr. 664 had 13 cars, all 2900's (p72's), with the bar car and the Hofstra car.

You could also buy Produce from the Hostler who had a farm in Mattituck.................

[nyandw]

"Pass steel car roster" by Jeff Erlitz. The last steam train was 3/8/1979, a Port Jeff run.......consist was 228, 7546, 7537, 7536, 7530, 7525, 7541, 7549, 2968, 2974 and 2911 This also coincided with the retirement of the B&M P-74B cars (the 2900's had a "dual mode" diesel generator by then so did not need steam any more. Research: Doug Nash

Anyone can ID the Train number?

[nyandw]

Was this train #656? Thanks.