Grab those photos while you can!

[David Leonard]

Most of us want to get our railroad photos before lines are abandoned or certain locomotives are phased out, but we also need to be mindful that some of our favorite photo locations can disappear as well.

Case in point: The first photo shows the general scene where NS’ Southern Tier crosses the Chenango River in Binghamton NY.  The train is NS 12T (Allentown-Buffalo, June 3). Note the building at the far right.

The building had been abandoned for years, but there were outside stairways that allowed me to get up on the roof for photos. Here’s a view of NS H88 (Corning-Binghamton turn) taken on May 10. There were several good angles and views from the roof of the building. This is the perspective of which I took the most advantage.



My use of the past tense should indicate trouble, and sure enough on June 9 the whole structure was destroyed by fire. I never did get a photo from far back of an eastbound on the near track.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Speaking of... word is that Alto, MG, AR and the Conway Roundhouse are all being demolished by 1/1/2012.

It's becoming the CRHS tagline... "If you see it, shoot it, it won't be there tomorrow".

[lock4244]

Speaking of... word is that Alto, MG, AR and the Conway Roundhouse are all being demolished by 1/1/2012.

It's becoming the CRHS tagline... "If you see it, shoot it, it won't be there tomorrow".

I never made it to MG (locked gate), but ALTO and AR I did see in person. Another piece of history is going, going, gone.

Is the tower at Sandpatch still standing? It's the only operating tower I've ever seen (1995) and the operator did not disappoint... leaned out the window and gave us the line-up without even being asked. Lonely job I suppose, but really nice operator and might have been trivial to him, but was quite a thrill for me seeing as this type of operation was virtually extinct by then This was still is the only exposure to that side of RRing I've ever had. Not too many towers here in Canada to begin with and most stations were long gone by the time I was foaming (born in mid-70's missed a lot of stuff).

[lock4244]

David, that is a lot more annoying than having a spot become overgrown. You'll need a cherry picker now!

Incidentally, wonderful shots in the Morning Sun Conrail Vol 1 book... one can only wonder what other gems are in your collection!

[Guilford Guy]

On a slightly different note, how many active towers are left in the northeast? I know of only one on the MBTA commuter territory that still gives orders on the fly.

[David Leonard]

There are a few active towers along the NEC, I believe, but certainly the days of active towers are coming to an end. The ex-B&O line towers were among the last to be retired.

Thanks for the comments, Mike. Yes, I have many Conrail photos, though I've not counted them. I was fortunate to live within walking distance of the Pittsburgh Division main line from '77-'84, but I probably got the most photos when I lived in Yougstown Oh from '92-2002.

Speaking of towers this may (or may not--one never knows) be a sneak preview of the the Conrail Vol. II book. http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/nscalepennsyguy/CR3300-880605.jpg

[up1950s]

LIRR has a bunch of active towers . I know , many of you and some of me think the LIRR isn't a real railroad .
http://www.lirrhistory.com/towers.html

[lock4244]

Speaking of towers this may (or may not--one never knows) be a sneak preview of the the Conrail Vol. II book. http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/nscalepennsyguy/CR3300-880605.jpg

Thank God as a species we were able to invent the camera... and that some can use it very, very well!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thank God as a species we were able to invent the camera... and that some can use it very, very well!

What he said.