Mystery Photo

[cefinkjr]

I found this photo among some old papers and have no idea where it came from:

1xo9HYX

 

Naturally, there is no information on the back of the photo.  All I can positively say about it is that it was taken long before I was born.

The locomotive in the photo is clearly Monongahela (MRY) 121, a 2-8-0 Consolidation.  Based on the locomotive and the style of the passenger cars in the background, I'm guessing that the photo was taken sometime before World War I. 

My little knowledge of the MRY tells me the photo was probably taken in the yard at Brownsville, PA where the MRY connected with the P&LE and PRR.  That guess is based on the rather large (for the MRY) ash-pit in the foreground and the presence of passenger cars.  I doubt the MRY would have had ash-pits south of Brownsville that were much more than a sheet of iron laid between the rails to protect the ties.  Similarly, if the MRY had passenger service south of Brownsville, it was probably on a quick-turnaround basis; those coaches are likely to be P&LE cars waiting for their next trip toward Pittsburgh.

Can anyone shed more light on this photo or logically dispute my guesses?

[wabash2800]

I would say that you have a good educated guess. It looks to be a 2-8-0 built around the turn of the last century. But there has to be a steam roster to get a better date. The R&LHS  has quite a few early locomotive rosters. I would suggest you contact Librarian Cara Randall at the California State Railroad Museum where its archives are stored.  I would also be looking for a special intererst group for the MRY, Perhaps there is one at Yahoo Groups?

 

Victor Baird

http://www.erstwhilepublications.com/

[ACY Tom]

Several years ago, Thomas T. Taber III published a book of rosters of Pennsylvania short lines. It's a book I don't have, unfortunately. I believe Mr. Taber passed away last year, but there is a Taber library in Montoursville (?), PA, and they might be able to help.

[henry6]

Tom is very much alive and well and living in Muncy, outside Williamsport, PA...100 Main St. in fact. And in W'prt there is a museum named in his honor. He would be glad to hear from you... No, I don't have his phone # nor zip code....nor email address come to think of it.

[ACY Tom]

Henry: Thank you so much for correcting me about Tom Taber. I don't remember who said he had passed away, but I surely am glad to hear that he's still with us. And I do believe you are correct that it was Muncy --- not Montoursville --- where he lived. Mr. Taber was most gracious when I contacted him to ask some questions about some PRR locomotives acquired by the Akron & Barberton Belt RR. Until we contacted him, we couldn't find anybody who had a clue. His information helped us to full out the A&BB steam roster for the forthcoming AC&Y book, which will include significant coverage of the A&BB. The manuscript is finished, subject to some further editing, and the publisher is working on it. Hopefully by this time next year we'll have the book. Thanks again. Tom

[wabash2800]

Tom Taber III and his father both are ( were) afilliated with the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. Tom also did a multivolume, hard cover railroad reseaarch guide that has proved very valuable in my research. In my experience with Tom, he has been very friendly and helpful.

 

Victor Baird

Fort Wayne, Indiana

www.erstwhilepublications.com

[narig01]

FWIW The Wikipedia entry for Monongahela gives a description of MRY steam locomotives.
The entry states that MRY locomotives 115 to 140 were purchased from ALCO in class H-5 between 1909 and 1913. I did not look at the original source of the entry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monongahela_Railway

Just a comment. Is it possible this is a picture of when the locomotive was delivered? The picture is over what I am guessing is the ash pit and the tender is full of coal. Also the locomotive looks clean.(Yes that could be from a good cleaning) .

Thx IGN