The "Push - Pull" Story

Some Questions And Answers About The New Equipment For Erie Lackawanna Commuters

Shortly to go into service on the Erie Lackawanna Railway is a fleet of 105 new cars and 23 new locomotives purchased by the State of New Jersey at a cost of $26.1 million. This is the first rail passenger equipment totally designed for "Push-Pull" operation.

Included in this new fleet are 71 trailer cars with carpeted floors and seating 108 passengers each; 10 bar cars each equipped with facilities for service coffee and pastry in the morning and refreshments in the evening, and each seating 96 passengers; 24 cab cars each seating 104 passengers and equipped at one end with controls with which to operate the train in "Push" service.

The cars were built by Pullman-Standard Company. The locomotives were built by General Electric Company and feature high efficiency electric alternators with which to operate the electric heating and air conditioning, electric doors, public address system and lighting.

Since this new equipment is a considerable departure from that which is being operated by Erie Lackawanna, this little leaflet has been prepared to answer most of the questions you may have and to explain the operation.

How Does "Push-Pull" Operate...
These trains will be bi-directional, with the locomotive always on the west end of the train. In other words, the engine will "Pull" the train from Hoboken and "Push" the train into Hoboken. When in "Push" operation the engineer will be at the controls of the lead car of the train, which will be a cab car. The "cab" is equipped with all of the controls and safety devices that are found in the locomotive.

What Are The Advantages Of "Push-Pull"...
The first and most obvious advantage is the flexibility it gives the operation. It will no longer be necessary to switch the locomotive from one end of the train to the other in order to go in one direction or another. The engineer merely moves from the locomotive to cab car, or vice versa. Furthermore, when reaching Hoboken it is not necessary to switch the train to make up a shorter train, for instance, to operate during the non-rush hour period. All that is necessary is to "drop" the first five cars of an eight-car train, for example, to make up a three-car train. The locomotive then pulls the train out of Hoboken.

In the evening the three cars are pushed into the terminal, coupled up with the five cars left there earlier, and an eight-car train is ready for the evening rush-hour.

What Features Do The New Cars Have...
First, of course, there is an efficient air-conditioning and heating system that is keyed to the weather outside. Regardless of the outside temperature the interior of the car with this new system always remains a comfortable temperature. In each car there is a public address system, operated from a central place in the train, for making station and other announcements. Each train also is equipped with two-way radio communications. The seats are two-and-two for a more comfortable ride, and are reversible, contoured and upholstered in fire-retardant vinyl with fabric of wool and mohair. The doors are located at each end and are electronically operated from one point in the train. In other words, all doors will open and close simultaneously on each side. Three seconds before the doors close a bell will ring to indicate it is closing. Listen for the bell so you don't get caught.

With the new fabrics and coverings of seats and the carpeting in the trailer cars, we again urge commuters to observe the "No Smoking" signs in all cars... and please do not place your feet on the seats. Cooperation of all in this respect will be appreciated and will go a long way in helping to keep this equipment clean.

Windows are double-glazed and tinted to reduce glare, and are of safety glass.

The bar cars are equipped to serve pastries, coffee and other refreshments.

How Much Do These Cars Cost...
Approximate cost of the cab cars is $198,000 each; the bar cars, $191,100 each; the trailers $166,500 each. The locomotives cost $333,100 each. Total cost of cars: $18.5 million; total cost of locomotives: $7.6 million.

How Is This Equipment Paid For...
In 1968 the citizens of New Jersey approved a bond issue program for transportation purposes of $640 million, of which $200 million was for mass transportation. The State of New Jersey last year sold bonds in the amount of $26.1 million for the purpose of providing this equipment for Erie Lackawanna commuters. The bonds will be retired over a period of years through a one-cent a gallon tax on gasoline, so in effect the citizens of New Jersey are providing this equipment for themselves.

How Soon Will All Of This Equipment Be In Service...
This depends upon the rate of delivery from the manufacturers. However, if present schedules are maintained it can be expected that all of the equipment will be delivered and in service by early Summer.

What Did Erie Lackawanna Do to Insure The Equipment Performs Properly...
In the first place, as each car and locomotive is received it undergoes a very rigid inspection by Erie Lackawanna inspectors and supervisors, which includes all components and also includes a running test. Second, training schools were run for all employees and supervisors who will be involved in maintaining this equipment - cars and locomotives. These schools had as instructors both Erie Lackawanna supervisors, specially trained for this project, and technicians from the various manufacturers of the equipment and components. Third, train and engine crews who will man the new equipment in actual service also went through a training period so that they are completely familiar with the operation.

Erie Lackawanna is reasonably certain that once the service is started it will operate as trouble-free as anything of this type can be. This is highly sophisticated equipment and we hope you will bear with us for the first few weeks, at least.

Will The Service Eventually Be Speeded Up...
In all probability the answer is "Yes." However, it will be necessary to operate these trains for a few months in order to gain experience with their increased acceleration and deceleration before a final determination can be made. It is expected that changes in service may take place in late April when we change over to Daylight Saving Time.

January 11, 1971
State of New Jersey Department of Transportation
Erie Lackawanna Railway Company