East Coast Champion---more than one?

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Could some clarify the number of locomotives that would have served as the East Coast Champion? I have a photo of Engine #528 and a print of #507. I would appreciate a list of other #'s. My grandfather, Jack Stacy, was engineer on the Savannah-Jax leg until his retirement in 1964. He died just after the merger and my father doesn't recall the engine numbers. Papa was with the ACL for practically all of his 51 years service railroading--he lied about his age when he was 14 and started work on the rr. I am trying to locate photos of the trains he would have worked on during his employment, especially the East Coast Champion. I am ordering the new history book. Thanks.

Gil Stacy

-- Gil Stacy (gstacy@mindspring.com), September 11, 2000

Answers

I worked for the ACL Mechanical Department in the late 40's, early to mid 50's. At that time the East Coast Champion (and all other through passenger trains) could have had any of the Coast Line's passenger units dispatched - there were no firm assignments. After delivery of the E8's, these would have been the preferred power for the longer, heavier trains such as the Champions and the Florida Special. All these ran 19 to 24 cars in peak travel periods. Power was generally swapped at Jacksonville for servicing, and reassigned randomly.

-- D.H.Noble (rke_dhn@excite.com), October 19, 2001.

Go to the question on this forum dealing with Book Availability. the book-Atlantic Coast Line-The Diesel Years, will more than adequately answer your questions. Another good book is Larry Goolsby's Atlantic Coast Line Passenger Service. Both of these sources deal with locomotive assignments, passenger train service, etc. You may also try to get a copy of Joe Welsh's By Streamliner to Florida.

Good luck!

-- Michael W. Savchak (Savchak @MNR.org), September 12, 2000.


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