Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. Call # RR-1474. Used by persmission.
Talky Tuesday #14
Last week’s WW #42 is another interesting shot by Robert Richardson from the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. Also dated 13 September 1939, in this view locomotive #117 is in charge of a work train that includes ditcher #6 and caboose #17. Trainmaster J.J. Coleman stands on the rear platform of the caboose, along with another unidentified S&NY employee.
A new-looking bridge is to the right, possibly built by CCC men from Laquin or Masten. The exact location is not specified, other than “probably Bradford County, PA.”
Wordless Wednesday #42
Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. Call # RR-1476. Used by permission.
Talky Tuesday #13
Last week’s WW #41 is another shot from the Western History Collection of the Denver Public Library, taken by the late Robert W. Richardson. This view shows the #119 leading a mixed train at Cabin Run on 13 September 1939. Per the caption, supplies are being loaded from combine #204 onto a canvas-topped Civilian Conservation Corps truck.
Note, review of the PA DCNR website reveals CCC camps at both Masten and Laquin along the S&NY, but none named at Cabin Run. I believe this shot may actually have been taken either at Masten or Laquin.
Of note is the 3-domed tank car near the front of the train, similar to one available in HO scale from Tangent Scale Models.
Wordless Wednesday #41
Denver Public Library, Western History Collection Call # RR-1473. Used by permission
Talky Tuesday #12
Last week’s WW, courtesy of the Denver Public Library was photographed on 13 September 1939 by Robert Richardson, and is captioned, “Northbound Susquehanna & New York Railroad locomotive 4-6-0 #119 and a mixed train are north of Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Shows a paved highway near the tracks, and billboards that advertise cigarettes, chewing gum and auto races.”
Mr. Richardson was co-founder and former executive director of the Colorado Railroad Museum, and his extensive portfolio of railroad photographs is held by the Denver Public Library. Wikipedia entry here: Robert Richardson.
As a footnote, reader and noted early racing enthusiast John Webster provided additional information regarding the Altoona Speedway. The 2.5 mile Altoona Speedway was constructed of 2 x 4 boards forming the racing surface, and was the last board raceway to host a race in the U.S. Ralph Hepburn set the lap record there at 136 mph. The board track went bankrupt in 1930, and burned in 1931. However, a 1 1/8 mile dirt track remained, and AAA races continued to be held there into the late 1930’s. Later, drag races were held there, and then the site became the second location of the Tyrone, PA airport (Peterson Memorial Airfield) before being converted to an industrial park.
John provided this photo of the board track at Altoona:
The car in front is a Miller front-drive car once owned by Ettore Bugatti, and is preserved at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Wordless Wednesday #40
Denver Public Library, Western History Collection Call #RR 1475. Used by permission
Talky Tuesday #11
Last week’s WW #39 is a late spring scene along either Pleasant Stream or Schrader Creek. I do not believe this was taken on the PRR Elmira Branch, as the creek does not seem quite wide enough for Lycoming Creek.
Also, the identity of the locomotive is uncertain at this distance from the head-end, and the train is an interesting mix of pre-war freight cars.
Since most of the technical details are lost to time, let us simply sit back against the cushions, bask in the warmth from the spring sunshine shining through the cupola windows and the smell of fresh coffee wafting up from the caboose stove, and enjoy the trip…
Wordless Wednesday #39
Joe Boyd Photo – Author’s Collection
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