Category Archives: Talky Tuesday

Talky Tuesday #31

S&NY #117, a 2-6-0 originally built in 1900 by Schenectady Locomotive Works for the New York Central and purchased by the S&NY in 1926, heads a train south from the interchange with the Lehigh Valley at Towanda in last week’s “WW #59”.

The Susquehanna River is directly behind the train, and #117 obscures the view of the LV bridge across the Susquehanna.

Contrast with this more modern view taken in 2000 near the same location:

Photo by Author

Photo by Author

Talky Tuesday #30

It’s 1939, and train 20 meets mixed train 5 at Laquin in last week’s “WW #58”.  Abandonment is still 3 years away in this summertime view.

Talky Tuesday #29

Maintenance-of-Way car #210 is the subject of last weeks “WW #57”. See this post for more details about this ancient relic.

Talky Tuesday #28

S&NY engineer Eli Chilson converses with fireman H.G. McQuay while performing the never-ending task of keeping a steam locomotive properly lubricated in last week’s “WW #56”. The process of “oiling around” was the under the purview of the engineer; while the fireman tended to the fire, coal and water levels in the tender, and tried to keep the cab and seat boxes as clean and organized as possible given the incredibly dirty environment of an operating steam engine. Placing oil in the journals of the driving wheels deep in the locomotive frame required the use of a special long-spouted oil can, as seen here. These cans are now sought-after collectors items, as reminders of a by-gone age.

Talky Tuesday #27

No fancy sanding towers at Marsh Hill in last week’s “WW 55”. Labor was cheap and machines were expensive back then. Sand domes on the locomotives were filled by hand, one bucket at a time. Wonder how long it took?

Talky Tuesday #26

I am unsure of the identity of the men in last week’s “WW #54”. Also, I am not sure whether the fellows are member of a train crew, or section crew. I do believe the location is Towanda, though, given the river and mountain in the background. As before, if any readers can help with identifying these guys, I would appreciate it.

Talky Tuesday #25

S&NY section crew and motorized section car are the subject of last week’s “WW #53”. Based on the number of tracks and the background hills, I would surmise this shot was taken at Marsh Hill. I am unsure of the identities of the men in the photo, and any reader’s help would be appreciated.

Talky Tuesday #23

S&NY Monroeton station is the subject of last week’s “WW #51”. The track branching behind the station is the Lehigh Valley’s State Line & Sullivan Branch to Dushore and a connection the LV’s Bowman’s Creek Branch at Bernice. The LV bought this portion of the S&NY from Towanda south to Monroeton after the S&NY abandonment to maintain this connection. The photo was probably taken shortly before the abandonment, as the S&NY train order signals are apparently already out of service. A train can be seen following in the distance; possibly another S&NY train, or an LV train headed for the branch.

Talky Tuesday #22

Last week’s “WW #50” is a nice fireman’s side view of S&NY #114 at Towanda. The #114 was bought new from Baldwin in 1907, and was later rebuilt by them as well. The engine was refitted with an LV tender in the late 1930’s, as seen in “WW #49”. #114 has the original tender in this view, so this photo must pre-date the late 1930’s. After abandonment, the engine reportedly went to Providence, RI along with the #115. Disposition after that is not known.

Talky Tuesday #21

Last week’s “WW #49” is a rare color shot of S&NY engine #114 making up a train at Towanda, possibly during the fall of 1941. There is a nice variety of pre-war house cars behind the #114, and the second car behind the engine appears to be one of the ubiquitous PRR X29’s. The others I am uncertain.