Thanks for all those Erie shots kgb! Nothin' weary about that Erie!
And thanks for sneaking in a shot of that Jersey Central "Hudson." Steamtown's got a Canadian 4-6-4 tanker that's almost a dead-ringer for the CNJ one that's pictured, in fact I believe the Canadian 4-6-4 is what gave the CNJ the idea of getting some of their own. I wish Steamtown would restore that 4-6-4T and slap some CNJ markings on it to go with the CNJ rolling stock they've got.
Firelock, that was the very first locomotive that Steamtown operated. They had to stop operating it because the paperwork for it was destroyed in a roundhouse fire where the locomotive was stored in Canada. That would be a cool locomotive to see operate, especially if it were restored as a CNJ locomotive.
Oh yeah, they could have had it torn down and inspected at the time, but with a full stable of papered locomotives it just wasn't worth Steamtown's trouble.
After a total resoration now it'd have all the papers it would need. Restoring it as a CNJ locomotive would be playing a little fast and loose with it's history I know, (in case anyone asks) but so what?
So this...
Could do an interpretation of this...
Sounds reasonable to me! It would be economical to operate, running it in reverse would be historically accurate, and given the fact that the biggest market in North America is a short distance to the east, it would seem to have a marketing advantage as a Central Railroad of New Jersey unit. Plus, how is that for a field trip for the schools in New York-New Jersey "Hey, students, we are going to take a ride just like the ride to work that your grandparents (great-grandparents?) did every day to bring home the bacon."
There you go. And those CNJ 4-6-4T's were powerful enough to pull up to 12 coaches. Hard to believe but it's true.
Good for an easy five mile or so out-and-back and as you say economical to operate it'd be a good choice for a train full of people who want a short ride for a taste of steam as opposed to an all-day trip.
Here is a crystal clear shot of CNJ 4-6-4T 230...
CNJ 4-6-4T 228...
CNJ 4-6-4T 226 on what looks to be a work train - evidence of robust pulling power...
CNJ 4-6-4T 226 in pristine condition ready to pull out on the advertised...
CNJ 4-6-4T 227 coupled to what looks to be commuter cars...
CNJ 4-6-4T 228 waiting for the high ball...
CNJ 4-6-4T 225 working from the business end...looks just right for Steamtown...
CNJ 2?? 4-6-4T from the front end again for comparison...looks just right for Steamtown...
CNJ 4-6-4T 229 also in pristine condition and ready for its next assignment...
Finally, not 4-6-4Ts, but CNJ 2-8-2 Mikados with what has to be the most massive tender ever applied to a Mikado...
CNJ 2-8-2 Mikado 875 on the turntable with an enormous tender that has to be the longest if not the largest ever put on the drawbar of a Mikado...
CNJ 2-8-2 Mikado 903 - Big-barreled, brawny bruiser of a 2-8-2...
For comparison purposes, Boston & Albany 4-6-6T under way...
Tough lookin' engines, don't you think? All business! A pity none were saved.
Okay, I know this is a stretch, but here is a Berkshire (NKP 759) on the (Erie-) Lackawanna coming out of Nay Aug Tunnel near Scranton, PA...too good a photo to pass up...
Not too much of a stretch, it is on E-L trackage, and the 759 is kind of a "kissin' cousin" to the Erie Berks. Nice shot at any rate.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.