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MP54
Two MP54 trailers, one in the Pennsylvania Railroad livery and the other in the Penn Central livery in Delaware, June 1969.
Interior of an MP54 in 1967.
ManufacturerPennsylvania Railroad,American Car and Foundry Company,Pressed Steel Car Company,Standard Steel Car Company
Family nameP54
Constructed1908–1937
Entered service1908–1972 (LIRR)
1915–1981 (PRR)
RefurbishedPRR: 1950
Scrapped1958–1981
Number builtPRR 487
LIRR 923
PRSL 18
FormationSingle car,
41 "civil union"(motor-trailer)
Fleet numbersMP54E1497-499, 504-617, 4546-4551, 4553-4557, 5296-5297, 5969-5970
MP54E2618-819, 4561, 4567, 5287-5292, 5298
MP54E3459-496, 4568-4575
MP54T1-43, 5416-5419
MP54E6409-458
OperatorsPennsylvania Railroad
Long Island Rail Road
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Penn Central Railroad
Conrail
New Jersey Department of Transportation
SEPTA
Specifications
Car body constructioncarbon steel
Car length64 ft5+3⁄4in (19.653 m)
Width9 ft11+1⁄2in (3.035 m)
Height14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)[citation needed]
Floor height4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)
Doors2, end vestibule
Maximum speed65 miles per hour (105 km/h)
Traction system2 × WH 412-A/D 200 hp (150 kW)
MP54E1/E2[1]
2 × GE 616 200 hp (150 kW)
MP54E2
2 × WH 426-A 370 hp (280 kW)
MP54E3[1]
2 × GE A-626 370 hp (280 kW)
MP54E3[2]
2 × WH 431-A 225 hp (168 kW)
MP54E5[1]
4 × GE A-630 125 hp (93 kW)
MP54E6[3]
2 × WH 308 225 hp (168 kW)
LIRR MP54s[4]
Power output400 hp (300 kW) (MP54E1/2)
740 hp (550 kW) (MP54E3)
450 hp (340 kW) (MP54E5)
508 hp (379 kW) (MP54E6)[5]
HVACElectric heat
Electric system(s)650 V DCthird rail
11 kV 25 Hz ACcatenary
Current collector(s)contact shoe(DC),pantograph(AC)
UIC classificationBo’2’+Bo’Bo’
AAR wheel arrangementB-2+B-B
Braking system(s)Pneumatic
Safety system(s)Cab signaling,Automatic Train Control
Coupling systemAAR
Track gauge4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)standard gauge

ThePennsylvania Railroad'sMP54was a class ofelectric multiple unitrailcars. The class was initially constructed as an unpowered, locomotive hauled coach for suburban operations, but were designed to be rebuilt into self-propelled units as electrification plans were realized. The first of these self-propelled cars were placed in service with the PRR subsidiaryLong Island Rail Roadwith DC propulsion in 1908 and soon spread to thePhiladelphia-based network of low frequency AC electrified suburban lines in 1915. Eventually the cars came to be used throughout the railroad's electrified network fromWashington, D.C.toNew York CityandHarrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The cars became a commuting tradition during their long years of service in several major cities[6]and were known as "red cars" or "red rattlers".[7]The cars ran in service with the PRR until thePenn Centralmerger in 1968 at which point they were already being marked for replacement by new technology railcars such as theBudd M1andPioneer III.After the bankruptcy of the Penn Central the remaining MP54s found themselves being operated byConrailunder contract with local commuter rail authorities. The last MP54 cars were retired in 1980-81 while engaged in Philadelphia suburban service withSEPTA.

Steel suburban cars[edit]

In 1906, during the PRR construction project to build tunnels under theHudsonandEast Riversand buildPenn Station,the PRR announced that all new passenger cars would be made of steel and that wooden cars would not be allowed in the tunnels due to the hazard of fire.[8]A design for a steel suburban car with a 54 ft (16.46 m) passenger compartment, 64 ft (19.51 m) overall length, and 72 seats was already under development,[9]along with one for a corresponding passenger-baggage combination car. Anticipating that many of the cars would eventually be used in electrically powered multiple-unit (MU) services, the cars were designed to accommodate electrical equipment[10]and were designated MP54 where the M is for motor and the P is for passenger.[11]

Additional types of these cars were developed, all with the same overall length, body shape, and characteristic round end windows often referred to as porthole or owl-eyed windows and large roof-level headlights.[6][12]The passenger-baggage combination cars (52 seats) were designated MPB54. In 1911, baggage cars with 62 ft (18.90 m) baggage compartments were added and designated MB62. In 1913, baggage-mail cars with the same dimensions were added and designated MBM62. In 1914, passenger-baggage combination cars with longer baggage compartments and 40 seats were added and designated MPB54B. In 1915, passenger-baggage-mail combination cars with 24 seats were added and designated MPBM54.

Early DC MP54s[edit]

The first group of MP54 cars was delivered to the PRR subsidiaryLong Island Rail Road(LIRR) in 1908 which was already operating a 650-volt DC electrified service to terminals on Long Island with its fleet of MP41 cars.[13]Some were used for a while in non-electrified service until the East River tunnels were completed allowing service into Penn Station. Simultaneously, the same electrical system was being installed for use in the Hudson River tunnels and west toManhattan Transfer,just east ofNewarkfor use by the PRR proper.

Between 1908 and 1915 the LIRR received a total of 225 MP54 type DC powered coaches and 65 other powered MP54-type cars. To supplement these, between 1915 and 1927 a total of 230 T-54 class trailer cars were added to the fleet along with a further 320 DC powered coaches between 1920 and 1927. Finally in 1930 a final batch of 45 MP54 coaches were delivered, resulting in a total fleet of 626 coaches, 15 baggage cars, 52 combines and 230 unpowered trailers for a grand total of 923 MP54 type cars in service on the LIRR.

The LIRR MP54 coaches came in three general styles. Classes MP54, MP54A and MP54A1 were delivered with a "railroad" styleclerestoryroof. Classes MP54B and MP54C were delivered with a smooth, "arch" roof. Finally the MP54D and MP54D1 classes were former steam coaches converted to electric operation with clerestory roofs. Unlike the later PRR cars, the LIRR units were primarily constructed byAmerican Car and Foundrywith a few made byPressed Steel Car CompanyorStandard Steel Car Company.

In 1910, the PRR received its first group of MP54-type cars. Six of the coaches and two of the combination cars were provided with DC electrical equipment, and the rest were for service in trains pulled by steam or electric locomotives.[14]

Penn Station opened September 8, 1910, with service to Long Island points being provided by LIRR MP54 cars.[15]PRR service out of Penn began November 29, 1910 primarily usingelectric locomotives.The eight electrified PRR MP54 cars were used for shuttle service between Penn Station and Manhattan Transfer, an island station that facilitated passenger transfer with PRR trains going to or fromExchange PlaceinJersey City.This shuttle service ended in 1922, and the cars were sent to the LIRR.[16]

In addition to the cars built for the PRR and LIRR, theWest Jersey and Seashore Railroad(which later became part of thePennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines) received a small fleet of eighteen 650 V DC powered MP54 cars for use on its electrifiedinterurbanline betweenCamden,Millville,andAtlantic Cityin 1912. These cars, officially classified as MP54D, came equipped with both third rail and alsotrolley polesfor the segments of the line that made use of overhead lines. These cars were used until electrified service on the PRSL was ended in 1949.[17]

AC Cars for PRR Suburban Service[edit]

In late 1912, PRR engineers recommended large-scale electrification of PRR lines withalternating current(AC) at 11,000 volts and 25 cycles, starting with the suburban service along the Main Line betweenPhiladelphiaandPaoli.[18]This project was authorized soon thereafter.[19]In 1914, the PRR started adding AC electrical equipment to 93 MP54-type cars at theAltoona shops[20]for use in this service. Each car received apantograph,atransformer,a powertruck,a motorman's cab and controls at each end, and MU circuits. These cars were then designated MP54E to distinguish them from non-electrified cars.

The Paoli line opened with electrical service in 1915 with great success, and other Philadelphia suburban lines were electrified in succeeding years. By 1933 the entire PRR line from Philadelphia to Penn Station had been provided with AC electrification and the lines from Philadelphia toWashington, D.C.andHarrisburgwere subsequently electrified as well. MP54 cars then provided local service throughout this area. Large numbers of MP54 MU cars were obtained both by electrifying existing non-electrified MP54 cars and by purchasing and building entirely new cars. As improved electrical equipment was developed in later years, a numeral was added to signify the type of this equipment.[21][22]Between 1926 and 1930 a further 144 cars were delivered from PRRs main shops inAltoona, Pennsylvaniaand Standard Steel in the class MP54E2. Between 1932 and 1937, a total of 46married pairswere constructed by Altoona that consisted of an unpowered trailer (designated T) that was towed by a motor car (designated E3), with 736 total horsepower compared with the normal 400: 34 (MP54E3+MP54T) + 4 (MP54E3+MBM62T) + 8 (MPB54BE3+MP54T).[21]These special trailer motors could be identified by a small golden keystone above the number on the side of the car. They also had largerlouverson the side due to the greater demand for cooling air.[5]

In time it was apparent to better distinguish between the non-electrified and electrified cars aside from the letter E, thus it was decided to make the initial M be a "small" capital letter for the non-electrified cars.[23]Small capital letters are awkward to use, so many books[24][25]have used the LIRR scheme of omitting the initial M for the non-electrified cars (P54)[11]while less commonly a lower-case m is used instead of the small capital (mP54).[26]

In 1950, faced with the need for expensive new equipment for unprofitable suburban service,[27]the PRR decided to extend the life of the MP54 cars instead of buying new equipment. The MP54s were rebuilt at PRR's Wilmington, DE electric shops with an initial batch of fifty 450-horsepower (340 kW) cars in the class MP54E5.[28]A follow-up batch of fifty 508 hp cars in the class MP54E6 were rebuilt at the Altoona shops (for unknown reasons, the designation MP54E4 was skipped). In addition to the new, more powerful propulsion gear, other new equipment was installed includingroller bearingequipped equalizedtrucks,new windows, and recessed transit-type lighting[29]In 1951 there were a total of 481 AC MP54 cars of all types in service,[30]consisting of 405 MP54, 42 MP54T, 10 MPB54B, 9 MPB54, 7 MB62, 4 MBM62, and 4 MBM62T cars.

Performance[edit]

While state of the art in 1908, when the last brand new MP54 rolled off the assembly line 28 years later, the design did more to suit the PRR's desire for standardization than the comfort of the passengers that rode them. Each motor car was powered by a single truck at the pantograph end which in turn was equipped with two 200-horsepower (150 kW) 25 Hzseries wound AC motors.Using AC motors of this type resulted in poor acceleration compared to equivalent DC motors, a problem that was exacerbated by the frequent stops the MP54s would make in local commuter service. While the 99 E5 and E6 units rebuilt in the 1950s had better performance and a stated top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h), older E1 and E2 cars would struggle to reach 55 mph (89 km/h). A further design flaw in the propulsion gear of the E1 and E2 models required that if power was taken off at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h), it could not be reapplied until the train slowed back to 30 mph lest arcing damage the motors.[31]The 1908truckdesign provided little in the way of ride quality, andfriction bearingson unmodified cars retarded performance further. Noise from the primitive toothed gear drivetrain (a characteristic common to contemporary MU cars on other railroads) could become quite loud at high speed which made the relative quiet of unpowered trailer cars (if utilized) attractive to some regular riders.

Service history[edit]

MP54s inPhiladelphiasuburban service atWilmington, Delaware
Conrail-operated units enteringWashington Union Stationin March 1978

The MP54 cars ran from 1915 until 1981 on many lines, through many years of PRR service and intoPenn Central,Conrail,New Jersey Department of Transportation,and thenSEPTAandNew Jersey Transitservice. They wore several PRR Tuscan paint schemes as well as Dark Green with white lettering in PC times and a few were painted in white with blue and red stripes during the SEPTA era. Three cars transported train crews and other railroad employees fromWashington, D.C.'s Union Stationto theIvy Cityyards in the blue and white scheme of theWashington Terminal.The MU coaches were assigned to commuter service along both theKeystone Corridoron theMain Lineand theNortheast Corridor.They were also found on thePerth Amboy and Woodbridge Railroadtaking passengers to and fromSouth Amboy, New Jerseywhere theNew York and Long Branch Railroadbegan. A set of MP54 cars also served as the shuttle betweenPrinceton Junction[32][33][34][35]andPrinceton,and was known to generations of Princeton students, faculty, residents and visitors as the "dinky" or the"PJ&B"(Princeton Junction and Back). For many years a single car was used on a run between South Amboy and Trenton via Jamesburg, mainly to transport high school students. For popular events, particularly theArmy-Navy football gamesin Philadelphia, MP54 cars were used to make up some of the special trains to provide the needed transportation.[7][36]During World War II, the PRR was often short of passenger equipment on weekends so trains of MP54 cars were used as advance sections of long-distance trains in the electrified PRR area.[7][37]During these years, the PRR also used solid trains of MB62 and MBM62 cars to carry express from Penn Station to various locations.[37]In the days ofPenn Centralthe MP54s ventured onto formerNew Haventracks solely duringrailfancharters, in particular a June 14, 1970 fantrip fromPenn StationtoNew Havenwhich included theNew Canaan Branch.

Steam-hauledP54cars served well into the 1950s alongside their MU siblings. While these cars were more commonly seen in commuter service in the Pittsburgh area, they were also used over the entire PRR and perhaps even off-line in troop train service during World War II. Also during this time, several combine style cars were converted to completely coach seating by the addition of seats and porthole windows to the baggage and mail sections.[38]Two of these converted cars were sold to theBuffalo Creek and Gauley Railroadafter the war.

At some point during the Penn Central era, several cars were de-motored and used in commuter service behind aGG1locomotive. A single pantograph was retained on one of the cars to provide heat and lights.

Disposition of remaining MP54 cars[edit]

MP54 cars on other railroads[edit]

Unpowered MP54 cars (and/or combines and baggage mail cars) were built for or sold to a number of other railroads. These includedAT&SF (Santa Fe),BC&G (Buffalo Creek and Gauley),[38]B&M (Boston and Maine),Erie,Lackawanna,Ligonier Valley Railroad,[48][verification needed]NYS&W (New York Susquehanna and Western, Susquehanna),N&W (Norfolk and Western),Piedmont and NorthernandTuckerton.Additional road names reported as possible: CR (Conrail),Union Transportation (Pemberton & Hightstown),Consolidades de Cuba, and theMidland Continental.[49]

Similar Pennsylvania railroads' rolling stock[edit]

In 1907, prior to the purchase of its MP54D's, theWest Jersey and Seashore Railroadexpanded its wooden interurban fleet operating itselectrified servicefromCamdentoAtlantic CityandMillvillewith an order of porthole-window cars, designated MP2. These were still of wooden construction, but came with stronger steel ends, had passenger compartments 46 ft (14 m) long, overall length 55 ft (17 m), 58 seats, and were otherwise similar to the MP54 design. Later some of the original all-wooden MP1 cars were upgraded with steel ends matching the MP2 cars.[50]

TheHudson and Manhattan Railroadobtained some cars with porthole windows in 1911, designated MP38, for their line toNewark.The cars were partly owned by PRR, were painted in PRR colors, had 46 foot passenger compartments, 48 ft (15 m) overall length, 44 seats, and had additional center-entrance doors. The H&M cars not operated over PRR trackage to Newark had the more common square windows.[51]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^abc"Thirdworld.nl".
  2. ^"The Pennsylvania Electrification"(PDF).prr.railfan.net.
  3. ^"Future Motive Power In Electrified Territory"(PDF).prr.railfan.net.
  4. ^"Googlebook".1922.
  5. ^abStaufer (1968), p. 170
  6. ^abCudahy (2003), p. 231
  7. ^abcHulick, p. 19.
  8. ^Baer, August 11, 1906.
  9. ^Baer, July 1906
  10. ^Ball, p. 65.
  11. ^abPRR Classification of Cars 1938.
  12. ^Staufer (1993), pp. 496, 504
  13. ^Baer, November 2008
  14. ^Staufer (1962), p. 102, 136, 138.
  15. ^Cudahy (2003)
  16. ^Cudahy (2002), p. 47.
  17. ^MP54d diagram
  18. ^Baer, December 31, 1912
  19. ^Baer, March 12, 1914
  20. ^Staufer (1962), p. 10
  21. ^abJames
  22. ^MP54E5 diagram
  23. ^PRR Classification of Cars 1931
  24. ^Bezilla
  25. ^Cudahy[full citation needed]
  26. ^index to PRR Classification of Cars 1931
  27. ^Bezilla, pp. 189, 193-195.
  28. ^Volkmer, p. 108.
  29. ^Staufer (1968), p. 169
  30. ^Multiple Unit Equipment in Service as of January 15, 1951, (PRR document)
  31. ^PRR Electric Operations Rulebook CT290
  32. ^Volkmer, pp. 86-87.
  33. ^Biemiller, Lawrence (May 16, 2003). "Where the Only Station Stop is Princeton".The Chronicle of Higher Education.Washington, D.C. p. A48.
  34. ^Treese, pp. 28-30.
  35. ^Bianculli, pp. 53-58.
  36. ^Volkmer, photo, p. 105
  37. ^abStaufer & Pennypacker, p. 169.
  38. ^abStaufer (1993), p. 378
  39. ^abcRoster of Preserved North American Electric Railway Cars
  40. ^abWilmington & Western Railroad: Passenger Car Roster
  41. ^Google Maps: Mandolin Drive / State Route 709 / State Route 712, Virginia, United States
  42. ^"HawkinsRails - Durbin Rocket".hawkinsrails.net.RetrievedNovember 21,2023.
  43. ^"MP-54A1c MU Coach: LIRR #1149"(PDF).cnynrhs.org.Central New York Chapter, NRHS Inc.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
  44. ^"The Train Story".pjstchamber.com.Port Jefferson - Terryville Chamber of Commerce.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
  45. ^"Long Island Rail Road 4137".collections.trolleymuseum.org.Seashore Trolley Museum.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
  46. ^"Connecticut Trolley Museum - Our Collection - Locomotives and Railroad Equipment".Connecticut Trolley Museum. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  47. ^Brogle, Rob (October 13, 2022)."MP-54 #4153 at CT Trolley Museum".Railroad.net.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
  48. ^"[email protected] | Ligonier Valley Railroad".groups.io.RetrievedNovember 21,2023.
  49. ^list and photos of mP54 cars on other railroadsArchivedFebruary 21, 2010, at theWayback Machine
  50. ^Railroad electrification in the United States
  51. ^Cudahy (2002), pp. 42, 101.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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