Santa Fe Madisons

I doubt you'd find a specific date of 'retirement' for the heavyweights as a class of car on most any road, and the Santa Fe no less.

 

The Fe was among the several who rushed into the 'streamliner' era of the late 30's.  As their crack passenger trains (e.g., Chief, Super Chief, etc.) were re-equipped with the more modern cars, the heavyweights simply moved to lesser routes.  The most dispensible ultimately went into MOW service, other railroads,...or 'The Torch".

 

Re first streamliners surface finish for the Fe?...Probably ribbed stainless.  The Budd Company was the leader, and that was their schtick-of-the-day...including 'shot-welding'.  Pullman Standard followed closely, and for the Fe also lead with ribbed stainless.  ACF joined in later, and as the smooth-sided cars gained popularity, the Fe also used them...not exclusively in any train...for their specific amenities. 

 

By the late 50's, it would've been hard to find a 'name' train on the Fe with heavyweights.  Of course, on some specialty trains....football extras, race-track specials, mail trains, etc...the heavyweights (coaches, lounges, baggage) would survive longer for their utilitarian value.  However, in the long run, that they were, indeed, heavier than their newer replacements, meant it cost more in power/fuel, track maintenance, etc., to continue to use them.  And, so, they'd run their race, fought the good fight, served well.

 

But, I'm no historian.  I'm sure others more acquainted and well-versed will chime in with more specifics.  I've got a few dozen books on the Fe...my favorite.  I confess, though, that I can't put my finger on the specific answer to your question very quickly.

 

FWIW, though...

 

KD

 

Have a blessed Easter!

KD-

Happy Easter to you as well.

So, if Baldwin delivered the Northerns in the late 20's and they ran into the 50's it must be accurate to say the Northerns pulled both the Madisons AND streamlined cars?  I guess so. I think the oill fired Northerns came in the late 40's?

 

BTW, my mother took me from Ohio to Tulsa in the 50's on the Chief.  B&O from Youngstown to Chicago; SF from Chicago to Tulsa.  That was my first ride as a kid and I remember it very well.  I thought I was pretty hot stuff after that trip.

 

WOW! that train was pretty.

 

By all means.  And not just for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. 

 

Actually, there were a couple of transitions taking place during this same era.  Besides the passenger car transition, the steam-to-diesel transition was taking place.  Now, it was every Marketing Veep's intent/dream to always have your Best&Latest passenger cars coupled to your Best&Latest motive power.  But sometimes delivery timing, traffic density, seasonal demands, ......and (egads!!) dreaded breakdowns () would end up creating odd combinations.  Everyone would wince and grimace, but that dirty black steamer would have to pull the crack limited of new shiney silver cars...just to be sure the blue-bloods and common folk would be accommodated...on time!   Or, if there was an especially steep grade, especially long/heavy train, there'd be a diesel-steamer (gasp!) 'lash-up'(). 

 

The few available photos I've seen of the Santa Fe Baldwin 4-6-4 know as 'The Blue Goose' show it pulling stainless cars.  Of course, the 'blueness' didn't last too many miles after each washing...which eventually went by the wayside, too.

 

Yep.  The Northerns were the steam thoroughbreds of the Fe's dash across the country pulling passenger trains...until the diesels came.  But they hung on, pulling anything the management asked it to...streamliners, mail trains, heavyweight coaches/pullmans, troop trains, management/convention specials, sport specials, et al. 

 

So, we can do the same in our 1:48 world.  After all, it is OUR/YOUR railroad!

 

KD

I've seen pictures of Santa Fe trains with mixed streamlined and heavyweight passenger cars.

I've seen photos of AT&SF trains with a Northern, F unit up front pulling HW and streamline cars. So it all depends on when and where and what equipment had to be pressed into service. And like others said....Big name trains had different equipment than a local train would on the same day.

 

I pull K-Line HW cars with my Northern 4-8-4 and streamline cars behind my F units. But you may spot a HW baggage on a streamline train.

Thank you for your input.  - So, why do you have K Line cars?  Any specific reason?

I am going to buy the MTH Northern- PS 3 and think I'm going with the HW cars.  But, not sure whether those will be MTH or not--

Im not that familiar with K Line or Lionel offerings or prices.

 

I already hae the MTH FT units and Streamlined cars for those.