NYC at its most humble best,,,a far cry from Grand Central

[Miningman]

Reading NDG's heartfelt accounts in String Lining over the Canada Day Celebrations followed by the Glorious 4th of July brings emotions to the forefront and warm remberances, especially to us old softies who vivdly recall the romance of the railroads of our day. 

Then after all that, like a cherry on top of a sundae, Classic Trains Photo of the Day puts this up for the 6th. 

Ten-Wheeler with an audience

Two young boys watch New York Central 4-6-0 1290 switch cars at Brigden, Ont., on NYC’s St. Thomas branch in September 1955.
Philip R. Hastings photo

 

Now then I remember the NYC CASO well, Hudsons, Mohawks, and Mikados galore. The passenger trains, lots of them, even the 20th Century and the rest of the fleet, maybe twice a year owing to some mishap on the South side of Lake Erie. 

Here is our old friend that we just talked about #1290. 

 

The extended family had a farm which bordered along the CASO in an East-West Direction. Been to Brigden in my younger days. 

 

Now then despite Grand Central Station, the 20th Century Ltd., Pacemaker Fast Freights, the might of the Central itself, they had this. Brigden. I'm sure other rural outposts far to the West stateside. 

 

However my Classic friends, take a look at this. Talk about humble. This from the same company that ran the Century and was an Emperor of New York City.  Late 1955. The train came off in 1959.The line abandoned and lifted in 1960. 

 

 

 

 

[daveklepper]

thanks

[wanswheel]

Miningman, as you know, photographer Hastings was David P. Morgan’s friend who wrote Trains article “Pacifics to Placid,” page images of which disappeared but Google vaguely remembers.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Pacifics+to+placid&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwie0JqspPXUAhUBDD4KHVVRDz0Q_AUICCgD&biw=1600&bih=805#tbm=isch&q=Hastings+%22Pacifics+to+placid%22&spf=1499365659880

 

1291 photos

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1437245

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1237656

[Miningman]

Wanswheel- The Lake Placid trains were another charming aspect of the New York Central. Rails now in big dispute. Will following generations admire Hastings and Morgan? Let us hope it never fades into obscurity. 

The St. Clair subdivision St. Thomas to Courtright mixed, called Second Class Trains and always carried passengers. 

Train 101-M-W-F left St Thomas 8:30 am arr. Courtright 4:15pm

Train 102 T-T-Sat left Courtright 9:30 am arr. St Thomas 5:15pm 

66.38 miles

There was also trains 103-105-107 and counterparts 104-106-108 that were branches off the St. Clair Division serving Oil Springs, Petrolia and Eddys. 12 miles

1290 (and 1291 featured in Wanswheel posted colour pictures) ran 101 and 102. The 1291 was out of service in Feb.'57 but 1290 kept the  train steam powered until late Sept. 1957. Replaced by an Alco SW1 #700, which had a short career on the branch as the trains were discontinued in '59 and the rails abondoned and lifted in 1960. 

There were other NYC branches off the CASO

Niagara Branch - Niagara on the Lake to Chippewa 17 miles

Leamington Branch - Comber to Sea Cliff Park (Lake Erie) 16 miles

Amherstburg Branch - Essex to Amherstburg 17 miles

The mainline Buffalo to Detroit was 238.40 miles before they tore it all up and stupidly ended it all. 

"They" being an unholy alliance of CN and CP who got it from the newly formed Conrail. 

 

[Firelock76]

That Phil Hastings photo is also in the book "The Mohawk That Refused To Abdicate."  In the caption DPM wonders if the boys will remember what they saw that day.

Trust me, they do.  I was no more than three when a NYC steam engine chugged past us at a grade crossing.  I remember as if it was yesterday.

By the way, if you ever see a copy of "The Mohawk..."  grab it!  Don't be put off by the garish 70's era dust cover as I almost was.

Following generations will admire Morgan and Hastings as long as those books exist.  A book is a projectile the author fires into the future, and David P. Morgan was one helluva shooter!

[Penny Trains]

I still remember my first encounter with steam:

1976_zpsjskjoffd by Rebecca Chestney, on Flickr" alt="" />

(unfortunately mom isn't a "helluva shooter"!  )

[Miningman]

What are we looking at here Penny? Where? 

[Firelock76]

Darndest thing, those Flickr links don't work for me.  No biggie, as long as they work for everyone else.