(erielack) Re: 10 July 1966 - 10 July 2001A

[Dean Coupland <hylander_@_ptd.net>]

Ah, those were the days - when every town had a cannon

Dean
>From Archives_@_Railfan.netMessage-ID: <3B4A6CE9.5D5E5589@csnet.net>Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 22:48:07 -0400From: Dave Rutan <dlr@csnet.net>Subject: (erielack) 10 July 1966 - 10 July 200110 July 1966 - 10 July 2001On this day, 35 years ago, the last passenger train to Branchville, NewJersey ventured up theSussex Branch.  After laying over for several hours in the town, thetrain set off, carrying with it citizens of Sussex County, many of whichhad driven to Netcong to ride it up to Branchville and back. A singleBoonton coach and one Erie mainline coach painted Gray, Maroon andYellow made up the consist pulled by GP-7 1403.The rails are unlikely to be relayed to any of the towns in SussexCounty, but I like to take this day to reflect on just what the railroadmeant to those who were at Newton on the day the first train came intothat town.  - ----------December 11 1854As the crowd stood near the unfinished trainshed, they heard thewhistle of the primitive locomotive as it crossed the Sparta roadcrossing.  They stirred and craned their necks to see the plume of smokeas the train blew for Diller Ave.  Dogs on the platform began howling inreply to the whistle.  The horses, reined nearby, snorted and whinnied.As the engine, hissing and 'breathing' like a living thing, chuggedaround the curve and came into sight pulling two coaches, the peoplebegan cheering and jumping for joy.  This was the event they had beenwaiting for.  Their town was at last linked to the rest of the state!The town cannon, brought down from Prospect hill, was fired in salute tothis modern miracle brought into their midst.  The engineer smiled andpulled the histle cord in reply.  The coaches were detached from theengine and run free down the track as the engine steamed to the turntable.The editor of the Sussex Register, Benjamin Edsall, climbed a handcarand gave a flowery speech extolling the infinite virtues of the ironhorse.  When the train was ready to go, a crowd flocked to the coachesand climbed in for the first ever train ride to Waterloo.  The SussexRailroad was open for business. - -----------I can only wish the same sort of celebration  would be organized whenpassenger service returns to Sussex County--whether it be via theCut-off or the Susie Q. Dave Rutan(That Sussex Branch Guy)- -- Monomania can be a good thingDL&W Sussex Branch Memorialhttp://srr_1854.tripod.com
  
  
  
  

------------------------------