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.
Wordless Wednesday #61
Herb Trice photo – Author’s Collection
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 #44
Author’s Collection
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)
Wordless Wednesday #43
Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. Call # RR-1474. Used by persmission.
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.
Wordless Wednesday #41
Denver Public Library, Western History Collection Call # RR-1473. Used by permission
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.
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