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One For Johnny Deggesty

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 12:22 AM

kgbw49

Find that photo very interesting.  The track that it is on is not used by Amtak anymore.  If you look at the platform canopy you will note that it is offset towards the SOU RR  train.  That gives more platform capacity on the pictures' right side.  There are now panels between most platform canopy supports  Suspect that picture was taken from NE of the I-75 RR overpass but SW of the train.

Do not see the station potable water boxes that are now to the right of the picture's tracks.  6900 often led #1 & #2.  Usually SOU changed loco consist at ATL as the locos were serviced and repairs done at Atlanta's Pegram loco shop. SOU had 16 active Es at that time  = 6900 - 6915.   It was reported that 6900 had a steam whistle installed but I cannot confirm that.  6900 was not its original SOU number as an alcoa PA had that distinction until N&W retired its steam.

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  • From: Northern New York
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Posted by tree68 on Friday, February 12, 2021 10:58 AM

CShaveRR
As someone who walked, talked, and dined with Johnny...

Only met him once, when he visited our railroad.  I think I got him a cab ride.  He rode our trip out of Utica, I was working the local in Thendara.  Drove down to Utica after I got off duty and enjoyed dinner with him.

LarryWhistling
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...

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Posted by Convicted One on Friday, February 12, 2021 10:57 AM

That's interesting!!  You can see a portion of the building that I worked in, in the background. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
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Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, February 12, 2021 10:46 AM

As someone who walked, talked, and dined with Johnny several times, I can vouch for the assessmens of him presented here.  He definitely knew his stuff about railroad operations.  And there's often been talk about how a train trip used to see people dressing up in suits, etc.  That was Johnny--casual ol' me was often ashamed to be seen with him!

My favorite trip with Johnny was when we rode Metra's North Central route (old Soo Line and MILW) in the cab car...we both learned a lot from each other, and enjoyed our time together immensely.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Friday, February 12, 2021 9:55 AM

I was at that station on the last day Southern ran the crescent.  We rode the last Southern passenger train to New Orleans.

It had the atmosphere of a party.  The dining car workers were all in a nostalgic mood.  The waiter let my wife keep the menu.

That is a beautiful picture of the way passenger trains should still look today.  (Says an old man -- me.)

York1 John       

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Posted by daveklepper on Friday, February 12, 2021 8:49 AM

What a beautiful picture!    Maybe I was on that train?


Used rail NY -Atlanta many times.

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  • From: Henrico, VA
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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, February 12, 2021 8:39 AM

kgbw49

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/762771/

Johnny would have had a story about this, almost certainly.

 

So he would have.  I do miss that old-school Southern gentleman, a fine example of the South at it's best.

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Posted by MMLDelete on Thursday, February 11, 2021 11:10 PM

Yes I miss Johnny. Seemed like such a nice man. And since my interest in trains was born and grew in the South, I enjoyed his posts.

Southern Railway passenger trains will always be my favorite.

  • Member since
    January 2015
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One For Johnny Deggesty
Posted by kgbw49 on Thursday, February 11, 2021 10:47 PM

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/762771/

Johnny would have had a story about this, almost certainly.

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