Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-14
RAILROADS TIED
UP BY SNOWSTORM
[Continued from First Page.I

lContlnued from First Page.
TO send any trains out of Harrisburg
All the energy on the main line was
used in getting freight trains NOV
ing that were caught in last rights
big storm. Every available crew on
the Middle and Philadelphia divi-
sion not in service when the storm
started last night, were called out to
relieve crews tied UP along the main
line.
Motive Power Scarce
To make matters worse the Pennsy
is short of motive power 1t was out
of the question to wait for passenger
trains to send the relief crews out.
and what engines could be had were
used in taking the crews to points
on the Middle and Philadelphia di-
visions where crews were held up by
the snow drifts.
Middle Division Trouble
Between Marysville and Altoona,
it was said that at least thirty freight
trains were tied up. mostly east
bound. Trackmen. construction
gangs and shopmen were ordered
out last night to assist on opening
the lines. The greatest trouble is
with switches. and in the yards at
Altoona and along the division. 1t
was SAID that drifts on the main line
are easily overcome but in railroad
yards. the clearing of hundreds of
switches and getting the snow out
OF the way is no easy task. 1t is
the belief that the men on duty to-
day will have an all-day job. Re-
lief forces were organized and sent
out at noon from Altoona, Tyrone,
Huntingdon, Lewistown, MifTlin and
Marysville.
Through passenger trains due here
between o'clock this morning and
noon to-day were from five to eight
hours late. Trains No. 20, 80 and
"a were not reported on the Middle
division up to 10 o'clock this morn
Ing. Local trains made up, in Har-
risburg and Altoona were started
regardless of any connections.
Special attention was given stock
trains. Preference was given this
traffic on the main line where it was
possible to reach q terminal with
out any great delay. Where it was
likely that the cattle might suffer en-
route for want of water or from
cold, these trains were shortened in
order that time could be made.
Philadelphia Division
Officials of the Philadelphia divi-
sion had their hands full. 1t is att
this point where the heaviest bus-
ness is done because of the import
ant connections west, north, east
and south. Pacific Express due here
at 2.55 a. m. arrived about 7.30. The
newspaper train was back two hours.
All early through trains from New
York and Washington and Baltimore
where delays interfered with laterI
schedules were annulled and pas
sengers handled on later trains.
Freight and yard business was
handled in a similar manner to that
on the Middle division. Shopmen
assisted the trackmen and construc- /
ton gangs in clearing the snow from |
the yards and keeping the switches
open. Relief crews were kept NOV
ing all day and everything that look |
ed like locomotive and was able to |
run was put in service.
In addition to this being a busy
point for passenger travel, there is |
also considerable express handled !
here. Last nights storm added to |
the troubles of the express COM
panies. Tons and tons of express
goods are piled up on the platforms
at the Pennsylvania railroad station
waiting for trains to move it.
Extra men have been on duty
since the Christmas rush started.
but now with increased help the busi-
ness has increased so rapidly that
with train facilities normal, it is all