I looked it up, and the loco that has the pit underneath it is PRR No. 1187, an freight class R (H3 after 1897) 2-8-0 from 1888 - oldest PRR loco.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_Museum_of_Pennsylvania#Locomotives, 3rd paragraph
https://rrmuseumpa.org/collections/roster/
- PDN.
We stopped briefly in Hamburg. Being a weekday, the Reading Company museum was unfortunately closed. But there is a lot of interesting unrestored equipment in a fenced-in yard, and most of it can be seen fairly well.
We also found lots to look at in Port Clinton, where the RBMN's HQ is located.
That pit where you can look under the locomotive is still there. They also have a diesel simulator that's pretty realistic. Lots of great stuff.
Paul_D_North_JrDon't know if it yet has an example of an early PRR intermodal container, though (zugmann?).
Don't think so. Still a couple floating around in nearby yards, though. I think the one in ours was scrapped, unfortunately.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
As I recall - it's been too many years - there's also a steam locomotive (4-4-0?) that has a pit so you can walk down and underneath it. Haven't seen that anyplace else.
Don't know if it yet has an example of an early PRR intermodal container, though (zugmann?).
We spent an entire morning at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, right across from the Strasburg Rail Road's station. It is incredible. I have never seen so much beautifully restored equipment. I won't even try to describe it all. There is a PRR E unit you could eat your lunch off of, and a similarly perfect GG1. The list goes on and on and on. You are allowed to board several cars and engines, and they have lots of unique displays and features. Do NOT miss this museum!
Well, a bucket list item was checked off! Yesterday I ran Strasburg's (former N&W) 2-8-0 #475. It was a real thrill. And at first a little scary, to be honest. There is a lot someone uninitiated like me has to take in quickly. Russ, the Road Foreman of Engines, assured me he wouldn't let me screw up too badly, but when you first get going it's a bit intimidating. Lots to think about. Very busy. But man, was that fun! It swayed and lurched and made all kinds of wonderful noises. And with only a caboose for a train, it would get up and go. A once in a lifetime experience. I'm so glad I did it.
We saw lots of action on the DL. They are right there; there is a tower, just a hundred yards or so down the tracks from Steamtown's parking lot, and we often saw four Centurys parked there. And there is what seems to be a display train there, with a pristine RS-3 and beautifully painted freight cars and caboose from Sranton area fallen-flag roads. We saw lots of passing trains and switching moves. We stayed at the Lackawanna Station hotel, and saw action from our window also. Ask for a room overlooking the tracks.
Hopefully this isn't too late, but while you're at Steamtown, do be sure to allocate some time to "Dieseltown" meaning the Delaware Lackawanna. They are a nearly-all Alco road, the biggest remaining, and they run pretty often. Their shops are across town. They really do run RS3s, 4- and 6-motor Centuries and a few others (RS11, RS27 for sure).
I was there day before yesterday. The erecting shop building is still there, but it's being used for munitions work by some huge government contractor, and I'm told you can't get real close.
BTW, Steamtown is great! To anyone who has not been: GO!
I believe (it's been 17+ years since I've been there) that at least part of the Lackawanna's erecting shop is still across the street from Steamtown. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. It's no Altoona, but they are getting harder and harder to find as they are being bulldozed. I remember going to Sayre and just seeing a pile of rubble, as they'd been leveled earlier.
Paul_D_North_JrThere has to be more to this story, perhaps driven by personality conflicts - I can think of several different scenarios.
I mean, the RBMN has never been shy about accepting millions in state grants for their projects. So I'll skip the generic "big gov't hurting the small guy" argument that is so prevalent on the other sites, and chalk it up to, as Paul says, personality conflicts.
Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway while you can - only about 6 more weeks.
News today is that it will close at the end of November due to a dispute over amusement tax with the Borough (town) of Jim Thorpe:
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/poconos-coal/lehigh-gorge-scenic-railway-to-close-in-late-november-after/article_fad8bd02-f03b-11e9-9b60-8390d45053ad.html
There has to be more to this story, perhaps driven by personality conflicts - I can think of several different scenarios.
zugmann But mostly silenty. Does that count?
Sure (don't we all?)
The ones I have to document keep the feds happy...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68 I've been known to bring along my conductor garb when I'm on as engineer, "just in case."
I carry my trainman's lantern. Mostly because it's really nice (railtek LED one). Plus I've had to let more than a few conductors borrow it when theirs die. I also evaluate people, too. But mostly silenty.
Does that count?
Lithonia Operator tree, you look like a conductor in your photo, but it seems like you also work as an engineer. Is that correct? Other jobs also? And all as a volunteer? Do volunteers rotate among jobs?
tree, you look like a conductor in your photo, but it seems like you also work as an engineer. Is that correct? Other jobs also? And all as a volunteer? Do volunteers rotate among jobs?
I am qualified as both a conductor and engineer (for that matter, I am also a DSLE, meaning I evaluate engineers and conductors).
We have a few people who are only qualified as engineer or conductor, and some who were qualified as "trainmen/brakemen," but we now call them student or assistant conductors. It's kind of an apprentice/journeyman position.
There is a bit of seniority involved. Given qualification for both jobs, the senior person will usually get the throttle. I've been known to bring along my conductor garb when I'm on as engineer, "just in case."
I also do a bit of public relations for the railroad at train shows and the like. We have a show in Syracuse coming up, and I believe we'll be at the big Amherst show in West Spingfield, MA in late January.
On a somewhat related note: I had a passenger on the train today who is something of a railfan, according to his wife (he readily agreed). I suggested that he could come volunteer with us, which he might have, but they live in Fort Wayne...
You know, I told them, that there is a group he could volunteer with right there in Fort Wayne (765). Before they left the train, I gave them a paper with that, and several other, rail attractions in the area, none of which they were aware of.
Doing my best to further the hobby!
zugmann If/when you go to Steamtown, try to get there jsut as they open. It used to be that they had a small tour thing where you went to the roundhouse when they pulled the steam engine (in this case it'd be BLW 26) out, cleaned the ash pan, watered and coaled (is that a word?) it. Was worth it. I don't know if they still do that or not.
If/when you go to Steamtown, try to get there jsut as they open. It used to be that they had a small tour thing where you went to the roundhouse when they pulled the steam engine (in this case it'd be BLW 26) out, cleaned the ash pan, watered and coaled (is that a word?) it. Was worth it. I don't know if they still do that or not.
Thanks for that tip. We will try to get there right when they open.
Nobody has mentioned the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg, PA. http://www.readingrailroad.org/
MikeFFAs you go over the hill from Honesdale to Scranton, you'll see remnants of the original D&H gravity railroad. At Keene's RV Park there is a wel preserved bridge.
https://keenlake.com/our-campground/about-us/ - see Keen Lake History
https://keenlake.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/keenlake_map-new-2019-website.pdf
Hard to find some of those places on the map, though.
If you are a beer drinker Pottsville Pa is the home of Yuengling beer and a short drive away is Minersville home of the CNJ 113 a large 0-6-0. Not too far from Tamaqua.
Scranton and bananas that very likely originated from the B&O Fruit Pier at Locust Point, Baltimore.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
As you go over the hill from Honesdale to Scranton, you'll see remnants of the original D&H gravity railroad. At Keene's RV Park there is a wel preserved bridge.
Mike
Thanks Steve, Oltmannd and Paul.
Partway from Scranton to Strasburg only a few miles off I-81 SB on PA Rt. 309 is the former coal town of Tamaqua, PA. The former Reading RR statin there has been retsored as a restaurant:
http://www.tamaquastation.com/tamaquastationrestaurant.html
https://www.facebook.com/tamaquastationrestaurant/
Haven't eaten there yet so I can't provide a review. However, there are other sources for that.
MidlandMike It sounds like you are not from the Poughkeepsie area, so I will mention a local point of interest. It is the former NYNH&H high bridge over the Hudson, which is now a popular walkway about 150 feet above the river. https://walkway.org/
It sounds like you are not from the Poughkeepsie area, so I will mention a local point of interest. It is the former NYNH&H high bridge over the Hudson, which is now a popular walkway about 150 feet above the river.
https://walkway.org/
+1 Fun and easy walk. Great view of Poughkeepsie train station, Hudson Line and West Shore (River Line), to boot!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zjZtj3m3gCiTV4fG8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9mX33saf3fbJPf798
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Regards - Steve
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