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(erielack) Slide Shows on the New York Division

Another slide show story.  One Saturday in October, 1969, the NKP 759 (I think) was on a fan trip, Hoboken to Scranton and return.  I had to attend an Army Reserve drill that day in Newark (779th Railway Bn) but I was detailed to "protect the M of W Department" as soon as I could get back to Hoboken that evening.

Jimmy Lyon was the senior operating official on the engine, and he had been heard mumbling in his usual good natured manner about having to "return to those doggone old, dirty, cantankerous steam locomotives that shoulda been scrapped twenty years ago" and so on.  Well, they arrived back at Hoboken pretty much on time, at least with a little light in the sky, and I met Jimmy on the platform.  He was covered in soot and grease, and he had a grin on his face a yard wide.  I asked him how it went, and he allowed, "She's a pretty good engine."  That was high praise from Jimmy.

Well, to continue the story, I stopped into the dispatcher's office and Joe Conboy, the Chief, was there "to protect the special move" and all that.  Joe didn't normally work on Saturday nights.  Dave Pauer and Norm Reddy were there for some related nefarious reason (Norm had second trick at Summit, weekdays,IIRC).

After the train was all put away, we all gathered back with the dispatchers.  Dave or Norm pulled out the screen and projector and positioned same in a strategic location for viewing from all desks, including Charlie Howell on the Erie Main Line desk at the far north end of the office.

Thence proceeded a slide show of Dave and Norm's excellent adventure along the length of the Lehigh Valley all the way to Niagara Falls.  It lasted about two hours, and lots of folks dropped by to watch.  I'm pretty sure that John Drake stayed for a good part of it.  Then we went to Schaeffers for beans.  It was one of those good nights that we like to remember.  As for railfans running the New York Division, it depends on your definition.  If it includes working railroaders who love their work, it fits.  And that includes all levels.  If not for lots of personal dedication, that railroad would have fallen apart in any given two day period.

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