Last week’s “WW #135” gives us an interesting rear view of S&NY caboose #15. The rear flagman is just about to drop off and protect the rear of the train; or has just climbed back on board and is about to wave a highball to the engine. A few cars ahead is a flat that looks to be loaded with tractors or other machinery. An extension connected to the trainline airhose may be attached to either a valve allowing the crew to apply the brakes during a back-up move, or an air-whistle to also protect a reverse movement. The flagman is unidentified, unfortunately, as is the location.
Talky Tuesday #92
Last week’s “WW #134” is an excellent side view of S&NY 4-wheel caboose #17. I am unsure of the history of this piece of equipment. The side-sill and underframe are different than a PRR ND cabin car, and #17 may be of Reading or Lehigh Valley heritage. Kaseman’s book is silent on regarding the fate of #17 after abandonment, other than that the cabooses were listed for sale at $50 each, price later reduced…
Talky Tuesday #91
Last week’s “WW #133” is a shot near the north end of Towanda, just south of the Lehigh Valley station and interchange. The photo suggests a misty, damp spring day; and may be a departing shot of this train from “WW #102”
Talky Tuesday #90
Last week’s “WW #132” shows a work train over what I believe was called the “Masontown Bridge” over Towanda Creek west of Monroe, PA. In the distance, a crew is working on the ground, possibly lifting rail as part of the 1942 abandonment. Time and the changing course of the creek has erased any trace of the bridge, at least as can be seen by Google Earth…
Update 10/20/17:
Reader Chris C. provides these photos of the bridge abutments circa 2007:
The first is at nearly the same position of last week’s photo:
Photo courtesy of Chris Chamberlain
Abutments:
Photo courtesy of Chris Chamberlain
Reverse view showing Brocktown Road:
Photo courtesy of Chris Chamberlain
Aerial view of the area circa 1938:
Penn Pilot – Penn State University
Google Earth view today:
Google Maps
Talky Tuesday #89
S&NY #119 heads a train eastbound at Towanda in this undated photo in last week’s “WW #131“.
Talky Tuesday #88
It looks like an all-hands effort getting the #115 coaled up at Marsh Hill in last week’s “WW#130”. Her crew is keeping her hot, though, as the safety valve is lifting as the photographer captures the moment.
Talky Tuesday #87
S&NY #116 pauses at the Towanda ashpit in last week’s “WW #129”. Some of the accoutrements of steam railroading are in the foreground, namely a rack of rakes and other tools used to keep the fire in the engines in good shape, and the clinkers out. I doubt the ladder at the base of the water tank would pass muster in today’s OSHA world…
Talky Tuesday #86
Last week’s “WW #128“ is a southwesterly-looking overview of Marsh Hill yard with a wealth of detail for the modeler. The coaling tower and water tank can be seen to the right, and the top of Marsh Hill station is visible above the hoppers in the distance at the other end of the yard. An access road crosses all of the yard tracks in the foreground, and a switchmans’ or crossing guard shanty is to the left. A high-target switchstand also guards the yard throat.
Talky Tuesday #85
S&NY 2-8-0 #118 poses outside the Newberry enginehouse in last week’s “WW #127”. #118 was built by Schenectady for the NYC in 1903, and was purchased by the S&NY in 1926. This engine was reportedly the heaviest on the road, and was used mostly out of West Williamsport/Newberry with a rating of 2200 tons Newberry to Marsh Hill Junction. #118 was sold to a steel mill in Ohio after abandonment, where it was probably scrapped.
Talky Tuesday #84
Last week’s “WW #126” is a shot of a derelict passenger car acting as a shed at Marsh Hill yard. The end of the elevated track supplying the Marsh Hill coal dock can be seen to the left. This car was is ancient even for the late 1930’s. The duckbill roof superseded the monitor-type roof in the 1870’s, and was used by the PRR into the 1890’s. I am unsure of the provenance of this car, however, and it’s state of decrepitude may make that impossible.
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