TO ALL CONCERNED:
Account SENATOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY FUNERAL & PARTY, operate extra train from New York, no stops, to Washington, on SATURDAY JUNE 8th, 1968.
CONSIST
1 Baggage car #7534
6 "Congo" coaches
1 Diner #4484
4 "Congo" coaches
2 Diners-twin uni #4608-4609
4 "Congo" coaches
1 Parlor 7-DR #7146
1 Biz car #30 (Kitchen end to rear)
1 Biz car #120 (Obs to rear)
21 cars.
SCHEDULE
PLACE TRAIN ON TRACK #12 AT NEW YORK.
Leave New York 12.30pm
Pass Newark 12.45pm
" New Brunswick 1.05pm
" Trenton 1.30pm
" North Phila 1.55pm
" 30th St Phila 2.05pm
" Chester 2.20pm
" Wilmington 2.35pm
" Perryville 3.00pm
" Aberdeen 3.05pm
" Baltimore 3.40pm
Arrive Washn Terml Trk 16. 4.20pm
NOTES -
Baggage car #7534 to be moved from SSide Yard on Draft 'C' June 7th and placed New York for advance loading morning of June 8th.
Train to leave SSide Yard on call from Church after service, move to New York track 12, thence pick up baggage car for train.
Biz car #120 to be properly platformed at New York to permit removal of window on Fireman's side for loading of remains in lounge end of car.
On arrival Washington Biz car #120 to be cut off and promptly placed on track 17 for unloading of remains through window on high platform on Fireman's side.
Party consists of the Kennedy family and friends. Mr. F.J. Roth, GPA, will be in charge and will present block tickets for number of passengers carried.
Party will return individually on various trans and dates.
Show every courtesy and attention, rendering every assistance.
Arrange to set up the following protection for the movement of funeral train.
1 - Set up same protection as given POTUS movement.
2 - All grade crossings to be protected by Watchmen.
3 - Maintainers to be on duty at all Interlocking plants.
4 - Train to be operated under Absolute Block.
5 - Pilot train to be operated with 1 GG-1 and 3 passenger carrying cars, New York to Washington, operating 30 minutes ahead of funeral train. Engine crew to side up at SSide 10.00am. Train crew of Conductor and 1 man to sign up at New York 10.30am.
6 - No intervening movement will be made between the pilot train and the funeral train.
7 - Protect engines will follow the funeral train on the block. Engine crew sign up SSide 10.30am.
8 - Wreck truck protection will be set up at Morris Tower, Arsenal and Perryville.
9 - Wreck Master and Derrick Engineer to be on duty on wreck train sidings at Waverly, Morrisville, South Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore.
10 - Diesel locomotives to be available to protect at Morrisville, Philadelphia, Landlith and Perryville.
11 - Division Supervision to be assigned to ride locomotive and train. New York Division will assign their supervision.
12 - Minimum crew on funeral train - Conductor and 2 Brakemen, to sign up New York at 11.00am.
Engine Crew for train to sign up SSide at 10.15am.
This memo was sent on 07 June 1968 by the Penn Central Transportation Company to outline arrangements for the funeral train carrying former Senator R.F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) to Washington, D.C. from New York, New York. A note in the article reproducing this memo noted that the movement, scheduled for about four hours, took eight. Penn Central GG1s 4901 and 4903 provided the motive power for the move. PC 4903 survives to this day, in the care of the Age of Steam Museum in Dallas, Texas. Memo transcribed in slightly altered form from the Penn Central Railroad Historical Society Post, Volume 7 Issue 3 September 2006.
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