April 19, 1865 funeral procession

[loetar44]

(12-09-2014 10:27 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thanks Roger and Kees. Well, since I grew up with just one monopolist railway "company" nationwide (the German state, now a corporation with only few competitors), 42 companies seemed indeed an enormous number to me.

Also I understood that all the 42 engines just pulled the funeral train. Kees, re: "There were ca. 20 engines that pulled the funeral train and ca. 20 engines used as pilot," - what does this, i. e. "used as pilot" mean?

Eva, the pilot engine is the locomotive that is ca. 10 minutes ahead of the funeral train to control the track, if it is free of any obstacles, crowds etc.

Back later ....