Last week’s “WW #111” offered something a little different. Reader Jim Anderson is re-creating the Elmira Branch in digital format, and sent along this view of Marsh Hill Junction and the PRR’s Bergan tower. The SNY’s junction track can be seen just beyond the bridge over Lycoming Creek.
If I had to start over, would I build a virtual digital version of the S&NY, instead of in real-space HO scale?
Good question…
Screenshot courtesy James Anderson
A post-abandonment view along Schrader Creek is the scene in last week’s “WW #109”. The ties remain in place and the right-of-way has not yet been completely lost to nature. Telephone poles stand vigil, but the copper wire linking the stations along the route has been reclaimed for the war effort.
The time is probably high summer, given the foliage on the trees and the shirtless young fellow on the rocks overlooking the creek.
Perhaps a reader can identify this rock formation and the swimming hole below…
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
Author’s Collection
The past two “Wordless Wednesdays” ( #104 and #105 ) complement the view of Towanda during abandonment seen in “WW #103”.
In “WW #104″, we can see that the photo in “WW #103” was probably taken from atop MoW coach 210 in the foreground. We have a wider view of the yard, and can see the switch to the ash pit has been removed. To the right is an old boxcar being used as the railroad carpenter’s shed.
“WW #105” gives us a wider ground-level view of the yard area, including a better look at the SNY Towanda Junction station and yard office. To the left middle is what once was Humphrey Manufacturing Co., and in the left distance is Dayton Milling. In the right distance is an old coach, probably serving the MoW department. The engine house, turntable, and water tank remain, but probably not for long. This is a later view than the others, as all of the yard and engine service tracks have been removed.
Author’s Collection
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
The S&NY facilities at Towanda are in the process of being abandoned in the view of last week’s “WW #103”.
To the left is the Towanda yard office/depot, windows boarded up. The train order board is out of service; the semaphore blades removed.
In the middle of the scene, some track at the engine facility and yard has already been pulled up. The center tracks will remain for the use of Lehigh Valley trains heading for the LV’s Bowman’s Creek branch at Monroeton.
To the left is a mixed string of S&NY rolling stock, including a caboose and ditcher #6. The ditcher shovel boom is secured to the flatcar in the foreground, along with the frog from the recently-removed switch seen to the right. A PRR GS gondola coupled to the flat stands ready to receive salvaged rails as they are lifted from the r-o-w.
A sad scene, but still a very useful one when the model version takes shape.
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