To my mind, nothing quite epitomizes the romance of old-time shortline railroading like an ancient wooden combine at the end of a mixed train. The S&NY had it’s example, embodied in combination car #204, seen in “WW #150” of 2 weeks ago. The car was on the roster as early as 1905. I am not sure if the car was acquired new, or was bought used from a different railroad. For another view of #204 bringing up the markers, see here.
Wordless Wednesday #150
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
Talky Tuesday #95
“WW #137” of a week ago shows us high-stepping #119 rolling a mixed freight along at track speed. The plume of steam above the boiler could be from the safety valves lifting, or from the whistle blasting for a grade crossing near the photographer. Combination car #206 carries the markers at the rear. Location is not known to me.
Talky Tuesday #61
S&NY wooden open-platform passenger car #205 is caught in repose on last week’s “WW #89”. I believe the location is Newberry with the enginehouse in the background. Unsure of the date, but 205 still looks to be in pretty good shape, with a nice glossy coat of varnish. #205 is listed in my ORER’s as a PO-class car, which is a coach-observation type . Maybe 205 was kept in good shape for use by company officers? Unfortunately, per Kaseman, the car was burned in the yard at West Williamsport, presumably to make easier recovery of the scrap metal for the war effort.
Wordless Wednesday #89
Author’s Collection
Talky Tuesday #35
S&NY #119 is again the subject in last week’s “WW #62”. In this view, the 119 leads a very short mixed train at North Towanda, with combine 204 bringing up the markers.
Wordless Wednesday #62
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
Talky Tuesday #34
In “WW #61”, S&NY 4-6-0 #119 takes coal at Marsh Hill, prior to leading a very short mixed train eastward (railroad north) over the mountains to Towanda. Per a 1934 S&NY employee timetable, this is likely train 5, carded to depart Marsh Hill at 9:10 AM and slated to arrive in Towanda at 11:06 AM.
The lone C&EI boxcar appears to be a relatively new 1937 AAR type. Carrying the markers on the rear is coach #206, converted from a motorcar in the late 1920’s. See this prior post for more details.
Talky Tuesday #16
A nearly panoramic view of the Lehigh Valley’s station in the north end of Towanda is the subject of last week’s “Wordless Wednesday #44”. To the left is SNY engine #119 with converted motor combination car #206. Behind #119 is the old Lehigh Valley stone enginehouse. In the background behind the station is the LV’s mainline coaling tower built ca. 1940, and to the viewer’s right is a Lehigh Valley freight train curving toward the mainline bridge over the Susquehanna River, just out of the frame to the right.
An interesting detail is the (presumed) line of taxis waiting behind the station. This suggests a Lehigh Valley passenger train (perhaps the Black Diamond?) is soon due.
Wordless Wednesday #26
Bill Caloroso – Cal’s Classics
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