S&NY engine #117 takes a spin on the Lehigh Valley turntable at Towanda in last week’s “WW #48”. The #117 was originally built for the NYC in 1900 at Schenectady, and was bought second-hand by the S&NY in 1926. After abandonment in 1942, the little 2-6-0 was turned into scrap for the war effort.
Talky Tuesday #19
The mail must go through! Last week’s “WW #47” illustrates on of the reasons the S&NY was able to weather the Great Depression. In the era before interstate highways, UPS, television, and the internet, one of the few ways people and businesses could communicate long-distance was via the U.S. Mail. The funds from mail-hauling contracts with the U.S. government was often the only thing keeping many otherwise unprofitable passenger trains and shortlines afloat during the Depression and WWII, at least until trucks began to take over the business in the 1950’s.
Here mailbags are exchanged at a station stop somewhere along the S&NY, possibly Wheelerville.
Talky Tuesday #18
An unusual southward looking view at Towanda is the subject of last week’s “Wordless Wednesday #46”. This scene is clearly after abandonment of the S&NY, as all of the tracks have been removed, save those transferred to the Lehigh Valley on the right, preserving a connection to the LV’s State Line and Sullivan Branch at Monroeton.
While probably uninteresting to the casual observer (just some abandoned buildings), this photo is a valuable find for the modeler. Essentially every other photo of the S&NY yard at Towanda I have was shot facing the opposite way (i.e. north). This is the only photo I have found that shows the north side of the engine house, sand house, and S&NY station/yard office.
Talky Tuesday #17
Last week’s “WW #45” is from the collection of Steve Hall, and shows SNY fireman H.G. McQuay, John J. Kilmer (section foreman?), and engineer Eli Chilson clowning a bit for the camera. Engine #114 forms the backdrop.
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.
Talky Tuesday #15
WW #43 is the last of the Robert Richardson S&NY photos from the Denver Public Library’s Western History Collection. In this image, #119 is seen departing the Lehigh Valley’s Towanda station with an interesting mixed train in tow. Ancient combine #102 carries the rear markers behind an almost equally ancient Milwaukee Road wooden-sheathed boxcar, and two tank cars. I cannot make out the ownership of the second tank car, but the first has GATX reporting marks, and is leased to Penick and Ford Ltd. Inc. P&F were makers of corn and sugar food products whose brand names included Brer Rabbit molasses, Brer Rabbit Syrup, Penick salad oil, and Douglas feed. They were also major suppliers of starch to the paper industry. Sunshine once offered an HO kit of this car with P&F decals.Sunshine GATX Type 30 8k tank cars (See page 2 of the Sunshine data sheet)
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.”
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.
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.
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…
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