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Caboose
spotted at Tunnelton, WV, across tracks from depots. SWMX 4876. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Closeup of caboose SWMX 4876. I believe that this caboose is the same one pictured here on George Elwood's excellent site parked in Cumberland, MD after its restoration and renumbering to Southern Westmoreland SWMX 500. After digging around a little more I discovered that this is probably ex BLE 1987, SWMX 4876, SWMX 500, TREX 1987, and is now in operation at the Western Maryland Scenic RR (WMSR). I photographed this car again in 2002 in Cumberland! An update from the caboose owner in 2010! : This caboose was built by the leader in caboose construction, the International Car Company from Kenton, Ohio, in 4/1956. The car was the first built for the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern Railway. The series was painted orange and numbered 500-549. It cost $17,000.00. Nine of these “Cabin Cars” were leased in l966 by the “J” to the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. They were classed NE5, renumbered 1981-1989, and repainted in a more traditional red color. In l987, the “Crummy,” as many conductors nicknamed cabooses, was retired and sold. Originally, this “buggy” boasted of a propane generator, space heater, hot and cold running water, hot plate, electric fans, bathroom sink, and a propane gas refrigerator. Propane tanks were awkward to recharge, and all of these was removed. The walls and the ceiling are insulated. The floor was covered with tile. Each crew member has his own locker. But the caboose still has many of the comforts of home: bunks for sleeping, chairs for sitting, closets for storage, a sink for washing, a kerosene stove for heating and cooking, and a toilet for, well, you know. This caboose was purchased by the Turtle Creek Valley Historical society in 1987, to run on a line in Trafford, PA. That never happened so in 1994 it was moved to the West Virginia Northern in Kingwood, WV. I purchased it in 1999. I was going to bring it back to PA, to the Laurel Highlands Rail Road. At that that time the Western Maryland Scenic was a better place until 2009. Now it is at the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad in Middletown, PA. It is has bee restored and is available to charter or just ride on their caboose train. mhrailroad.com Canon AE-1 Program 35mm Kodak film |
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B&O
(CSX) Tunnelton WV freight depot. "Two railroad tunnels, dug by hand
beginning in 1850 and upon completion, three years later, were the
longest in the world. This railroad route was the shortest distance
between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. These tunnels
are 4,100 feet long and the entrance to them can be seen from the
railroad bridge in Tunnelton. The tunnels were very crucial during the Civil War, and an area of tight security. Tunnelton Train Station can be seen by going through the underpass and turning left. This station served the railroad many years. Directions/Locations: State Route 26 South from Kingwood, approximately 12 miles to Tunnelton." Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Closeup
of Tunnelton frieght depot sign. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Tunnelton
passenger station. "The depot was constructed during the period of
1912 through 1913. The depot served as a hub of transportation for
passengers and freight. It is an exceptional example of the early
20th century railroad architecture. The exterior walls are constructed
of brick and stone, with ornate wood soffit, extended wood fascia,
and Spanish style ceramic roof tiles, topped with large caps." Open
by appointment only. Tunnelton Historical Society - Railroad Depot Contact: Robert Shaffer PO Box 137 Preston County Tunnelton, WV 26444 (304) 568-2853 Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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WVN
RR interchange tracks; used to interchange coal between WVN RR &
CSX (B&O RR) until 1990 when coal service discontinued and CSX
removed most of the tracks. The WVN RR passenger interchange tracks
are also here, service was discontinued in 1999. Here is a link
to an
8/1998 photo of SW1200 WVN 52 in Tunnelton on Gary's Train
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WVN
RR yard, Kingwood WV. "Departing from Kingwood, the train must negotiate
steep grades and a double switchback on its round trip to Tunnelton,
where coal trains were once interchanged with the B&O Railroad." Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Closeup
of 0-4-0T Vulcan tank engine, WVN 17. Has since been moved to NC:
"Classified as a 44 ton switch locomotive. It was built in 1941 for
New York Ship Builders"
http://www.nhvry.org/roster.htm Number 17 is now restored and
under steam at the North Carolina Railroad Museum & New Hope Valley
Railway seeing limited excursion service.
Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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NRHX
passenger cars. These are ex Erie Lackawanna MU cars. They used to
have pantographs mounted on top and were used in commuter service.
For more info visit the
Horseshoe Curve Chapter of the NRHS. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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NRHX
104. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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WVN
RR wooden water tank. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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NRHX
passenger cars. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Caboose
CRR 1072. At Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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WM
(WMSR) Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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WM
(WMSR) Cumberland Station. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Adjoining
area behind Cumberland Station. Old Dye Works building in distance. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Close
up of dye works building. Text reads: Footer's, Dye Works, America's
Greatest, ???. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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C&O
Canal terminus. (184.5 miles to Georgetown!). *Note: It would be nearly
4 years to the day that my friend Matt and I would set out from this
point on our bike ride from Cumberland to Hancock MD. See
pics in my Gallery! Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Water
standpipe for locomotive refilling. Located on the station platform. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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Panorama
showing Potomac river with WM (WMSR) crossing in foreground from West
Virginia. Canon AE-1 Program 35mm. Kodak film. |
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