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(erielack) Scranton Area Visit

Had a chance to get away this weekend and went up to Scranton for two days
to take advantage of the good weather and the fall colors.  I wish I had
some photos to share right now but the digital camera is for repair.  I saw
about four trains in an hour at Taylor yard with all sorts of power- NS, ex
CR blue NS, BNSF, CPR, D&H, WC, and CN!  Taylor remains a fairly
railfan-friendly place to visit as long as you stay on the west side of the
tracks by the former passenger station.  

 

Next it was off to the ex Laurel line for a ride through the tunnel- Crown
Street I think its called?  My first trip through the bore.  At a place
called Viriginia, today's trolley route deviates from the original L&WV to
ex Erie line to reach Montage visitor center.  A half mile of brand new
track will be built next year to enable access to the ballfield.  Where else
can you ride the DL&W, L&WV, and the Erie in a trolley from Philadelphia?

 

Back in Scranton and at the same platform we caught the 1 o'clock train to
Moscow, the last of the season.  The nine car train was packed!  Train was
headed up by ex CN 3254, but ex CP 2317 was moving around in the yard.  2317
is restricted to yard and very short mainline use. Quite a spirited trip up
the valley, lots of photographers about.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the trip,
except for going through Nay Aug where the coaches filled with smoke!

 

Back at Steamtown had a quick look around the complex.  The EMC switcher and
the GVT ex DL&W caboose are right by the turntable.  

 

Last shots of the day were the ex EL C424 and the ex D&H C420 sitting at
Bridge 60.  On the C420, you can see a little bit of every previous owner's
livery!  Wonder what DL/GVT will finally paint it in?

 

This morning was a quick visit to the DL shops in South Scranton- not much
really new there except for the "new" 6 wheel Alco and a NYS&W Alco.  Good
to see the S6 back in action, it was always around when I was in Scranton
the summer of 2002.  Had a quick walk through the Steamtown back shop and
got see progress on the PRR engine, the BLW engine, and the B&M engine.
2317 might be down for rebuild/inspection by the time both 1361 and 3713 are
finished but can you imagine a line up of three pacifics from the PRR, B&M,
and CPR?  Its possible.  Steamtown's restored DL&W caboose and flat car were
in the shops for some work, along with the privately owned ex LV 353
business car.  Found out that the Mattes Street tower was re-roofed with
tiles from the same company that the DL&W ordered from almost 90 years ago!


 

Made my way south to Avoca where the Laurel line crossed Rt. 11 and other
railroads on the high bridge.  Great leaf colors there but alas no trains,
and didn't want to stay too long.  Swung through Pittston- saw some recently
removed rails from some overgrown right of way- have no idea what that line
was- maybe L&WV?  There's too many railroads around PA.  Had a look at RMDI
and finally got to see the ex Lehigh roundhouse, yard, and other buildings
including the coaling tower.  The ex EL SDP45 is still there, with a lot of
other engines, including ex RMBN, R&N, NS, SP, SSW, UP, PNE, MRR, and GT.
Also many ex CR C32-8s (?) ballast express in various states of salvage or
scrapping, never to run again.  Some coaches and freight cars.  A short R&N
train even put in an appearance.

 

Next off to Kingston on ex DL&W "Bloom."  Took photos of the endangered DL&W
roundhouse, I got a peak inside- looks sort of original, but I don't think
any 2-8-2s were sitting behind a false wall.  What a shame to lose such a
structure.  Not much left of the yard- two overgrown tracks.  I could not
find the "Lackawanna Lunch," or even a building that looked like it.  Asked
some locals but they hadn't the foggiest of what I was talking about.

 

Made my way back along the ex LV main over the hill at Mountain Top and
Penobscot, by dumb luck.  Great color and sunshine again but no trains to be
found.  Was hoping for a Halloween appearance of whistling Wyomings or
Cornell red FAs but alas no such luck.  R&N has erected a new building at
Penobscot, doesn't look quite finished- very railroad looking, tower-like.

 

That's about it- no matter how much I visit the greater Scranton area I
always seem to find something new, always interesting, but sometimes sad, to
look around.  I could spend weeks there!

 

Hope some of you found this interesting.              

 

 

Joshua
http://www.joshuakblay.com

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