From: lfsheldon@gmail.com   
      
   On 4/15/2014 9:12 AM, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:   
   > questions on Pullman operation...   
   >   
   > In the days of Pullman travel, it was common to set out a Pullman on   
   > a siding when the train stopped in the middle of the night.   
   > Passengers could stay in their berths until morning.  The car would   
   > be picked up on the next run.  (Likewise, passengers could board a   
   > Pullman in the evening, which would actually leave in the middle of   
   > the night).  These services continued until Amtrak, and even Amtrak   
   > may have had a few.   
   >   
   > In the old days, power for lights and a/c was provided by batteries   
   > charged by generators attached to the wheels.  Steam from the   
   > locomotive provided heat.  Can one presume that every set-out siding   
   > had steam and electric lines to support set-out sleepers?   
   >   
   > What about special events?  Sometimes a fleet of Pullmans would   
   > arrive at a major sports event, political convention, etc.   
   > Passengers would use their Pullman cars as an hotel for the event.   
   > Again, were their electric and steam lines available for a whole   
   > fleet of cars?   
   >   
   > Now, the tricky question.  On old trains, restroom waste was dumped   
   > directly onto the tracks.  While the train was moving that wasn't a   
   > problem, but it wasn't good in a station.  Indeed, signs were on   
   > toilets asking not to flush in a station.  So, what about set out   
   > Pullmans, which would be in a spot for at least several hours?   
   > Passengers have to go.  Without other means, in the morning the   
   > siding would not be a pleasant place, especially in the summer.   
      
   My recollections of the old Third and Townsend station is that the   
   tracks (the line dead-ended there--trains ran engine-first in, stopped   
   and unloaded, engine was disconnected and pulled away a bit, yard engine   
   and crew pulled the train out, the engine ran down to the engine area,   
   train (if not taken to a service area) pushed back in and the last car   
   (was first car) could be connected to steam, power, and air-pipe.  I   
   don't have specific memory, but I think the toilets were   
   locked--passengers were probably expected to use the station facilities.   
     I do think I remember on long runs (as opposed to the commuter trains)   
   the toilets were locked as a station as a stop was approached.   
      
   http://www.snowcrest.net/photobob/fmc8.jpg   
      
      
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