S&NY #119 smokes things up while departing North Towanda in last week’s “WW #92”. Timeframe is likely late spring, given the sunshine and the plow affixed to the pilot of the #119.
In the background is the LV bridge over the Susquehanna.
Talky Tuesday #63
The engineer of S&NY #119 (possibly Eli Chilton?) oils around, prior to departure from Towanda with a very short mixed train consisting of a single Erie single-sheathed boxcar in last week’s “WW #91”. The LV Towanda depot is in the left background, and the LV main is visible to the right of the #119’s pilot.
Talky Tuesday #62
Low-drivered S&NY #118 was captured at Newberry in last week’s “WW #90”.
The #118 was formerly NYC #2699, built by Schenectady (precursor to ALCo.) in 1903 and bought by the S&NY in 1926. After abandonment in 1942, the #118 was sold to a steel plant in Ohio, and likely cut up for scrap.
In the background is an elevated coal dock with what appears to be one of S&NY’s hoppers.
Talky Tuesday #60
I am unsure of the location of last week’s “WW #88”. My guess is “JK” switch east/north of Ellenton and west/south of Wheelerville. The photo appears to have been taken above ground level, likely from the rear platform of one of the S&NY’s cabooses. #118 is displaying the white flags of an extra, and may have just cut off as a helper from the train the photographer is aboard.
Once the fireman throws the switch in the distance, 118 will probably back downgrade to the wye at Ellenton as a light engine move, turn on the wye, and head back to Marsh Hill.
Lots of great modeling detail and atmosphere in this photo. The weathered ties, the cinder ballast, weeds encroaching on the right of way, the engineer leaning out of the cab watching his fireman walk to the switch while the 118 simmers in the sunshine. In a moment or two, the engineer will whistle off and let the engine drift downgrade through the switch. After the fireman climbs back aboard, he’ll let gravity continue to roll the 118 down to Ellenton. He’ll keep the throttle cracked open just enough to work a little steam and keep the cylinders from getting dry, and the fireman will be able to mostly relax on his seatbox and enjoy the mountain scenery glide by…
Talky Tuesday #59
Last week’s “WW #87” is a nice portrait of the #119, likely at Towanda. The engine looks freshly shopped, possibly from the Lehigh Valley facilities at Sayre. The boiler jacket looks to be painted in an odd color, though this may be a trick of the light and spectral properties of the B&W film used to shoot the photo.
In front of the engine is the head-end crew. I do not know the identity of the fireman on the left. In the center is engineer Eli Chilson, and on the right I believe is brakeman Steve VanGorder.
Talky Tuesday #58
Last week’s “WW #86” is a slightly over-exposed view of #119 heading a southbound mixed train, likely Train No. 6. According to S&NY employee timetable No. 47, effective 14 October 1934, No. 6 is due to leave Towanda Washington St. station at 2.05 PM, with an arrival at West Williamsport at 4.35 PM.
The high sun in this view is certainly consistent with a pending early afternoon departure. In the background is bridge across the Susquehanna at (of course) Bridge Street, replaced in 1986 with what is now the Veterans Memorial Bridge at Means Street.
Talky Tuesday #57
After a busy month of work and travel, I am happy to resume posting, and pick up where we left off with a little about “WW #85”.
This photo shows S&NY 4-4-0 #113, site unknown. The #113 was a Baldwin product bought new in 1907, and scrapped in 1934. Per Kaseman, the engine was assigned to passenger runs between West Williamsport (Newberry) and Towanda.
Talky Tuesday #55
The S&NY Newberry enginehouse is brand-new and freshly painted in last week’s “WW #83” . In the background is the car shop, also brand new. The rails have yet to be ballasted, as well. Photo dates from the time of construction of the facilities in Newberry, circa 1906. Contrast with the dilapidated appearance in the recent “WW’s” taken during abandonment some 36 years later.
Talky Tuesday #54
“WW #82” of 2 weeks ago is a view of the S&NY Newberry enginehouse, presumably taken after abandonment in 1942. The smokejacks have been removed from the enginehouse, and there is a derelict tender tank off to the right. In the foreground, the “pipes” are probably discarded boiler flues.
Photo courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
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