Speaking of Passenger Service

[nkp_174]

Cleveland Union Terminal was interesting primarily because of its unusual arrangement of swapping out steam for electric purely for the terminal. As an NKP enthusiast, it was ground zero for my favorite locomotives: the 170s.

Otherwise, Cleveland Union Terminal isn't too impressive in terms of variety of equipment. Basically just B&O, NYC, and NKP diesels along with the electrics. The PRR didn't use the terminal, and the Erie did only briefly.

I've long been curious as to where else you could match the interesting mix of marquee power here at Cincinnati Union Terminal. There were very, very few terminals which had both PRR and NYC as tenants. It was also the western terminal for the C&O and N&W's flagship trains...and hence the only place you could see their premier passenger power side by side, outside of Virginia. It was the only station in the country which brought N&W J's into contact with NYC 4-6-4s, Southern PS4s met NYC hudsons, and PRR T-1s shared roundhouse stalls with C&O F-19 4-6-2s. It was an important enough city to warrant premier trains and power, but not important enough to warrant multiple stations such as Chicago.

Edit: Anytime multiple railroads share a station, it is interesting. My statement regarding Cleveland Union Terminals' variety should be regarded as a relative statement, not an absolute...because of course electrics and diesels from 3 roads is going to be interesting!