It has been said there is a prototype for everything. Any proof that steam ever pulled the SS Budd Congressional cars which were introduced in '52? Even once? tt
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i would think it highly unlikely since the train ran in a 100% electrified zone. If it turned out that no G's were available or there was a breakdown in route, seems the protect should have been an E-7 set. Maybe a photo will surface
It is hard to imagine a scenario that would keep a GG-1 off the CONGRESSIONAL. It is even harder to make a case for a steam locomotive to pinch hit. A photo of that would be a prize-winner, for sure.
I would say never steam and as unlikely any diesels. If not a GG1, the PRR also had P5a's available.
In the mid 60's took the Silver Meteor from NYC to Philadelphia. The GG1 had an electrical problem and waited over an hour for a replacement GG1 to show up. We pulled into Philly with both engines. They may have taken the failed unit as far as Wilmington to cut it off.
Was the a Congressional a through-train to Boston like the Senator? I know the Senator was behind diesel North of New Haven.
Jon 
The perfect steamer for such a job would be Baldwin built T1s, 6110 or 6111. Both were modernized in the late '40s, and had a mighty ferocious look to 'em in the end. They were still on the roster when the Budd SS Congo hit the rails. Would have made one incredible publicity shot too. Both these locos were used on this route early in their careers, as test fixtures. The late model Baldwin T1 variation has never been done in any scale, so we can't even set this up with models.....too bad!
Jon
The Congressional service was New York to Washington. I think typically, each train set made 1-1/2 round trips per day .
Of course, the basic rule of model railroading applies here: It's your RR, run it as you like. 
Originally Posted by Tom Tee:
It has been said there is a prototype for everything. Any proof that steam ever pulled the SS Budd Congressional cars which were introduced in '52? Even once? tt
I notice you say "cars" and not a complete trainset. Wasn't the Budd plant served by the RDG ? It seems possible that somewhere in the chain of getting them to the PRR [ Penn Coach Yard ? ] steam was used.
Also, I seem to recall reading in "Trains" coverage of the press preview trip that the train was wyed in Trenton. If you can find that article maybe it says what power was used, since I don't think it was all juice.
Best regards, SZ
Not 100% sure about this but I think Budd was served by PRR on the Paoli line.
Al W.
Originally Posted by Al W.:
Not 100% sure about this but I think Budd was served by PRR on the Paoli line.
Al W.
Unfortunately, no. Do a 'search' for Budd Red Lion [ plant ]; I think the street address was Hunting Park Ave or something like that.
Best, SZ
"Unfortunately" because the few times I had to work there it would have made my commute much easier if it been on the "Main Line".
The Budd plant was on Hunting Park Ave until it moved up to the last location on Red Lion road.
Only rail car production moved from Hunting Park Avenue in 1948 To Red Lion. The Hunting Park Avenue plant is still there making automobile stampings and stamping dies. The Red Lion plant is a golf course today.
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Of course, the basic rule of model railroading applies here: It's your RR, run it as you like.
++1
How about some Alco RS1s ...AS10s...to pick up the cars and deliver 'em to Philly. Those old PRR RS1s were so "steamy"...their steam generators even had Belpaires!
A READING RR Crusader stainless steel shrouded pacific would look terrific hauling the Congressional. 
Well hey. we can go the other way too! Gonna put a pair of single stripe red PRR E8s ...EP22s...on my all heavyweight, all Pullman, 1937 Broadway LTD. HUZZAH !!!
