The three trains as seen at Washington Union Station. Library of Congress Photo |
The big military contractors that outfitted the Armed forces needed to find thousands of smaller subcontractors to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding military production machine that was quickly coming back to life. They knew that many small manufacturers were going to be needed fast, so the government decided they had to go find them.
One of the trains ready to get underway. Library of Congress Photo |
The trains were painted red, white, and blue and the first six cars were fitted with displays, blue prints, and specifications for many of the approximately sixty-thousand items needed by the armed forces. The last two cars were used as living quarters for the 36-man staff.
The trains traveled between cities at night so they could maximize their time during the day going over production needs. With all of the hoopla they could muster, the trains were assembled at Union Station in Washington, D. C. and sent on their way on November 10, 1941 for a five-week tour that covered 79 cities.
On that very day, across the pond, Winston Churchill spoke at a luncheon in London and warned that the war could spread to the Pacific. His quote, as reported by the news services was, "it is my duty to say —that should the United States be involved in a war with Japan, a British declaration will follow within the hour."
L-R: Herman S. Schutt, Gov. Bacon, Mr. Keller, Lt. Col. Thomas A. Brady, Jr., Lt. Comm. R.C. Peardon, and Mayor Albert W. James. Delaware State Archives Photo |
Inside vendors could view many of the items needed and meet with military specialists |
The next morning the train left Wilmington for its next stop, Trenton, N.J and continued to other manufacturing centers in the east. On December 7th the train arrived in Harrisburg from Reading. That morning, suddenly, the onboard crew of procurement experts realized their mission was exponentially more important. Winston Churchill's quote proved to be correct on both counts.
Wonderful. This work is needed to educate people about this historic information. In our local Historical society we have a complete history of the Octorara branch of the PennCentral (PRR) RR back to its founding. Contact me for more information. Keep it up !!
ReplyDeleteAl Eelman (former PC,Conrail, and Amtrak employee.