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Railfan Trips
Here is a listing of some of the rail adventures John recalls or specific railfan getaways. As John relives these photos, they often trigger memories that put the photos in context. We've grouped these photos so you can see the story behind the story.
NRHS Western Star (July 6, 2005)
John chases the NRHS Western Star, led by SP&S 700 and SP 4449 over the BNSF Fallbridge sub along the Columbia River in Washington.
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A Rio Grande time (March 1, 2003)
John photographs the Rio Grande in Colorado and Utah.
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Shooting the QJs in China (November 15, 1999)
John took a trip with a Nils Huxtable group to China for the purpose of shootinig the famed 2-10-2 QJs pulling ore drags double-headed and the Hohot-Dongsheng Express trains over the Singing Sands Viaduct on the Donsheng Coal Railway.
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Bye Bye Rock Island Railroad (March 31, 1980)
John records the last of Rock Island activity from the heart of the system, the Silvis shops and Rock Island, IL.
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Milwaukee Road derails getting out of town (December 15, 1979)
John follows a Milwaukee Road freight led by F units out of the yard at Davenport, headed upriver on the Dri-Line. The train makes it to the Government Bridge (RI) in downtown Davenport, where it puts cars on the ground. The location is on the Dri-Line under the bridge that carrys the Rock Island to Illinois, and a soft, low spot in the trackage, prone to flooding over the years.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
1979 NRHS Convention in Charlottesville (September 15, 1979)
Charlottesville, VA. hosted the NRHS convention. CSX facilities were visited and the CP steamer handled the excursions.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Amtrak Corridor fishing in a barrel (July 15, 1979)
John spends the day at Linden, N.J., along the busy Northeast Corridor. Included in the mix are ex-PRR GG1s serving out their last years.
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Milwaukee Road Iowa Division chase (March 2, 1979)
John followed a Milwaukee Road freight as it climbed out of the Mississippi River valley and crossed the state over the 16th subdivision to Council Bluffs, IA. The line would be ripped up a year later.
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NRHS Convention (September 15, 1978)
A trip to Charlottesville, VA., site of the NRHS convention.
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L&N getaway (July 12, 1978)
The Godfather explores the L&N engine facility at Loyall, KY.
This trip includes: 16 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Rock Island chase (July 1, 1978)
John latched onto a departing Rock Island freight at Silvis, IL., and photographed it at various towns as it went west on the Omaha mainline in eastern Ia.
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Conrail Shake Down on the Rock (July 1, 1978)
A young Conrail, desperate for motive power, turns to the Rock Island, who themselves desperate for cash, rebuild former GP7's into GP8's for the new company. John follows a westbound Rock Island freight out of their yard at Silvis, IL., as far as Durant, IA., a few miles west which has a rebuilt Conrail locomotive in it's consist to break it in before delivery to Conrail.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A TP&W chase (April 1, 1978)
The freshly painted GP30 on the TP&W is no April Fool's joke! John chases it on the west end of the line from Keokuk, IA., into IL.
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Leased B&O power on the Milwaukee Nitrin line (February 16, 1978)
Milwaukee Road leased B&O GP-30s in 1978 and John follows a road train with some of those B&O leaders over the Milwaukee''s alternate route upriver from Davenport, the Nitrin Line on the Illinois side of the river, to Savanna.
This trip includes: 6 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Quick Catch at Fulton (January 15, 1978)
John spent a Sunday in January of 1978 at Savanna, Illinois, gathering a few rosters as well as a Burlington Northern freight running through on the C&I Line. We will look through the viewfinder of the Godfather as he follows a Milwaukee Road manifest northbound on the Nitrin line between Cordova and the crossing of the C&NW at Fulton, trackage long gone in the 21st Century.
This trip includes: 10 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Chasing the Chessie Steam Express (July 25, 1977)
The Reading 2101 lead the Chessie Safety Express across the Garrett Sub on the B&O line in northern Indiana between Chicago and Willard, OH.
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Double-Headed steam to Altoona on Conrail (May 22, 1977)
John photographed the ill-fated doubleheaded steam special that ran from Pittsburgh to Altoona, PA. Conrail was a new entity, and hosted the Reading 2102 dressed as Allegheny 2102. Assisting was Cuyahoga Valley 2-8-2 #4070. By the time they got to Horseshoe Curve, Conrail had come to the rescue with diesel power.
This trip includes: 14 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Milwaukee Road flood detour chases (June 14, 1975)
Mississippi River flooding on the "Dri-Line" south of Clinton, IA., meant that Milwaukee Road trains used their "Nitrin" branch down the river on the Illinois side of the river to get to Davenport, IA., and Nahant Yard from their Savanna, IL., yard. One chase in June nets a MILW GP30 leading a set of power, then a month later the uniquely painted bi-centennial locomotive Milwaukee Road #156 takes a run down this 10mph branch in fresh paint. The chase is ON!
This trip includes: 8 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Southern Saluda grind (July 1, 1972)
The Godfather invades the famed Saluda grade for Southern action.
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Chasing the UP 8444 over Sheman Hill (March 1, 1971)
John travels to Wyoming directly from Ontario where he left the CN 6218 in snow to chase the UP8444 (as it was numbered then) on an excursion over Sherman Hill. Along the way, he photographs UP freights pulled by the Big Jacks and U50''s, plus the last service days of the UP covered wagons.
This trip includes: 14 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
CN 6218 in the Wintertime (February 25, 1971)
John chases the CN 6218 from Toronto up along Lake Simcoe, Ontario, in the wintertime.
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Northern Maine Jct. Happenings (August 1, 1970)
A 1970 trip to the Maine for an excursion on the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, led by a spiffy F3A and BL2. While there, John captures an interesing industry switch by a Plymouth trackmobile on narrow guage tracks loading lumber products from the forests of Maine to 40 foot boxcars for delivery on America''s rail network to manufacturers, the way it used to be done.
This trip includes: 8 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Railroad Builds An Interstate (July 1, 1970)
When Interstate 280 was constructed in New Jersey circa 1970, SJ Groves and Sons were contracted to build a temporary railroad to haul rock out of the cut blasted through Eagle Mountain near West Orange, NJ. Get in on the action as the Godfather was on hand to witness this rather unique operation.
This trip includes: 12 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
South Beach Railroading (January 1, 1970)
Spending New Years Eve with a friend in Miami, John is able to slip away for some Florida East Coast switching. This location was on the southwest side of downtown Miami, today Interstate 395 swings through this neighborhood.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Wintertime S.J. Groves Shut-Down (December 27, 1969)
S.J. Groves Co., railroad builders of the Interstate through West Orange, N.J., have shut down their construction and rail movements for the wintertime. John is able to photograph the S.J. Groves equipment and cars at their yard nearby. See the 1970 trips for "A Railroad Builds An Interstate" for the followup story of cutting through Eagle Mountain in constructing the Interstate by railroad.
This trip includes: 11 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A day on the Monongahela Railway (December 15, 1969)
The railroad that has a name outsiders struggle to pronounce--The Mo-non-ga-he-la Railway once existed to bridge coal loads from the Appalachian mines to the Pittsburg steel mills. It was a short-line railroad, based in South Brownsville, PA. Practice saying the name of the railroad and look at the photos, you will discover what lots of coal-road fans already know, the Monongahela was an interesting railroad. John rode a Greyhound Scenicruiser bus (the type that had the upper level with its own front windshield and view) from Pittsburgh to visit to the Monongahela Railway and their main yard in Brownsville, PA. in 1969. Cue Simon & Garfunkel and that song of theirs about riding the Greyhound to Pittsburg. Sadly, today the area and its once thriving industry base is no more, nor is the Monongahela Railway. Now it is known as the Mon subdivision of the Norfolk Southern.
This trip includes: 5 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Day on the New Hope & Ivyland (November 25, 1969)
John spends a day photographing the steam at the NHIR in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
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The Flying Scotsman Comes To America (October 15, 1969)
The illustrious London North Eastern Railway locomotive #4472 made a promotional visit to the USA in October. John was able to capture it on the ex-PRR (then PC) and ex-NH (then PC) Northeast Corridor under the wires. It was also interesting to see what else was running at that time, ex-NH FL9s, ex-PRR GG1s still in Tuscan Red, along with newly marked Penn Central locomotives and rainbow consists from the new fallen flags. At the time of the photos, the future was bright for the Flying Scotsman, but the tour eventually went sour financially before a lifesaver came to the rescue of the famed locomotive. If you think about it, the same happened to the host railroad, Penn Central. The rest...is history..
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A Trip to Columbia (February 15, 1969)
John took his camera to Columbia to shoot the Ferrcarriles Nacionales de Columbia meter guage system. He started at Bogota, then rented a car and drove south into the mountains. FCN was liquidated by the Columbian government in 1991.
This trip includes: 17 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
High Iron H-Line Fall Color Special (November 3, 1968)
This segment of the High Iron trip over the N&W's Hagerstown ran in beautiful fall colors. There were several opportunities to photograph the train passing country scenes.
This trip includes: 10 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
An Erie excursion (June 1, 1967)
This train traveled from Hoboken, N.J., via EL to Campbell Hall, N.Y., getting on the NH Maybrook line, crossing the Hudson at Poughkeepsie and onto Beacon via Hopewell Jct. Hop on board!
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Big CN Steam on the CV (May 24, 1967)
CN 4-8-4 #6218 made a trip down the Central Vermont Railroad from Canada to New London, CT. John was able to catch it in several locations.
This trip includes: 16 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Day on the Cass Scenic (May 15, 1967)
John makes a trip up the mountain to the Cass Scenic for a day with the Shays working the switchback and hosting railfans 1967 style.
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CNJ freight on the Pennsy at Elizabeth (March 15, 1967)
Action at the passenger platforms on the PRR four-track main at Elizabeth includes PRR GG-1s in their last days before becoming property of Penn Central, pulling crack passenger trains. CNJ freight action is included. Elizabeth was and is a great trainwatching place.
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One Day at CY Tower (March 14, 1967)
CY Tower was a unique tower on the CNJ between Newark and Jersey City, controlling CNJ traffic and a PRR branch which crossed at grade. At one time, the tower had 67 levers under the control of one man per shift. John spent a day there and captured the CNJ freight and passenger action, as well as a local PRR freight.
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Lancaster Holiday Train (December 1, 1966)
The PRR 1225 is used by the merchants of Lancaster to kick off the holiday shopping season. This engine is at the Strasburg RR Museum today. John got some classic shots as the train traversed Water St., which is devoid of tracks in the 21st Century..
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A NYC day on the Harlem Division (September 1, 1966)
John photographs the electric cabs of the NYC fleet.
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A Great Northern catch (August 1, 1966)
John travels to the Pacific Northwest and shoots plenty of classic GN and NP action.
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CN steam on the north end of the CV (July 15, 1966)
CN 4-8-4 #6218 came to visit from Canada on the Central Vermont.
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Steel City Streetcars at Smithfield St. Bridge (June 15, 1966)
The Pittsburgh Railways Company operated a vast network of PCC streetcars around the Pittsburgh area up until the mid 1960s. John was able to capture the action at the Smithfield Street Bridge over the Monongahela River before they were bustituted.
This trip includes: 18 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Brookline Blvd. Trolley Loop (June 15, 1966)
Before PCCs were replaced by buses in Pittsburgh during the 60s, John spend part of a day catching the action on the Brookline Trolley Loop. For more info on this neat operation check the Links tab on the home page after viewing these shots.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Reading Steam from Philly to Baltimore (September 15, 1965)
Climb aboard a Reading 2100-led steam special to Baltimore on the Baltimore and Ohio. John photographed scenes from the Chestnut St. depot in Philadelphia and in the B&O yards that became the home of the Baltimore Orioles later on.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
New Haven Branchline to the Cape (September 5, 1965)
1965 was the last year New Haven offered service from New York to the Cape via the train known as the Cape Codder. At Buzzards Bay, the train split into a section for Hyannis and another section for Woods Hole. John photographs both sections of the train at the yard in Hyannis and depot at Woods Hole. As a bonus, John rides the ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven and snaps off a few great maritime scenes, inlcuding a boat seen in the movie Jaws later on. Oh, and check out the photo of the world famous submersible Alvin. It is just sitting there, at Woods Hole. Need to find an H-bomb on the ocean floor?
This trip includes: 16 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
More Long Island Railroad construction (July 15, 1964)
It seems like there was always construction going on with the Long Island Railroad, such was the case in the summer of 1964 as sections of the line were elevated in the Babylon, N.Y., area. John went out and documented some of the change and the action that occurred in the construction work zone.
This trip includes: 7 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Last of the Baltimore streetcars (August 15, 1963)
During the summer of 1963, Baltimore followed the lead of Washington D.C. from a year earlier and discontinued their system of streetcars. John documented some of the last runs.
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The Red Arrow Line Passes By... (July 15, 1963)
John and his friend William Rosenberg are out again, this time chasing the Philadelphia Suburban Transit Red Arrow Line in the days before SEPTA was created.
This trip includes: 13 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Riding a Reading Ramble (September 15, 1962)
John rides a Reading Ramble lead by 2121 along the Reading's Harrisburg-Reading mainline.
This trip includes: 5 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The last of the Washington D.C. streetcars (March 15, 1962)
John photographed the last of the streetcars in Washington, D.C., just steps from the U.S. Capitol building and in the streets and neighborhoods of the nation''s Capital. The service ended later that year.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Railfanning the Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán (November 25, 1961)
John made his first trip to Mexico to the Yucatán Peninsula and the steam of the dual-guage Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán Railroad. John photographed the activity at the Mérida yard and also rode the mixed train to Progreso.
This trip includes: 26 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
21st Street Chicago, passenger train heaven (September 15, 1959)
John passes through Chicago and spends a morning at the famed 21st St. interlocking where passenger trains of all colors from many railroads converge entering the Chicago passenger terminals just north. The sun is shining!
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A Virginian by any other name (September 1, 1959)
The Godfather travels to Virginia and photographs the Virginian Railroad's electric horses, in pre-NS days.
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In search of the last Pennsy steam (November 30, 1957)
A trip to Enola yard and PRR engines still under steam.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Late September LA 1957 (September 30, 1957)
John pays a visit to downtown Los Angeles for action on the Pacific Electric and a few scenes of the LA Railway trolley cars. A visit up to the bay area was on the agenda as well.
This trip includes: 12 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Cheyenne 1957 (September 28, 1957)
John made a stop in Wyoming on his 1957 trek to the west coast. Tag along with him as he hits Cheyenne with a commando raid on UPs 3900s!
This trip includes: 14 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Lake St. EL is ELevated (September 25, 1957)
While passing through Chicago on his way home to New Jersey, John is able to photograph the work on the CTA Lake St. line as progress is made to elevate it.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
21st St. Chicago: 1957 (September 15, 1957)
On the first stop of his trip to the west coast, John spends a morning at the fabled 21st St. crossing in Chicago, where the great fleets of passenger trains trod..
This trip includes: 7 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
PRR railfan weekend as the year ends (December 30, 1956)
John took a railfan trip via bus to PRR locations off the mainline in search of active steam. Included in the weekend were stops in Hagerstown, MD., and the PRR Buffalo line.
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PRR Shamokin branch steam safari (October 20, 1956)
John seeks out PRR 2-8-0's in service at Shamokin and 2-10-0's in heavy-haul service over the Shamokin Branch. He finds action at Shamokin and Crowl, PA.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
PRR-RDG Susquhanna Division trip (August 18, 1956)
John traveled to the PRR Northern Central line from Sunbury to Renovo, PA. He also managed to find Reading steamers working on the Pennsy at Williamsport.
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Commando Raid at Columbus (August 14, 1956)
John and his best railfan buddy Bill Rosenberg stop at Columbus, OH., on the return to the east from Chicago. Their goal: catching big steam at the PRR engine facility.
This trip includes: 16 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Motor City Madman (August 13, 1956)
John and Bill continue their midwest railfan swing by riding the night bus from Chicago to Detroit (hey, they were on a budget and the train was more expensive). Once there daylight brought plenty of Grand Trunk Western active steam working commuter service at Brush St. terminal. Other goodies were captured on an incursion into Windsor, Canada, across the river.
This trip includes: 6 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Chicago, Aurora, & Eastern (August 12, 1956)
A side trip to suburban Wheaton, IL., during a Chicago visit, gives John the opportunity to shoot the colorful Chicago, Aurora, & Eastern at their shops, in it's last year of operation.
This trip includes: 11 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
South Side Chicago (August 11, 1956)
John and his friend Bill Rosenberg get their mojo working on the south side of Chicago. Muddy Waters may have recorded the blues on the south side, but John and Bill recorded the last of B&O & PRR steam working there.
This trip includes: 7 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Enola, Alone Spelled Backwards (July 24, 1955)
John photographs the steam and exotic diesel power populating the Enola (Harrisburg), PA., yard.
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Last Of The Long Island Steam (July 20, 1955)
Steam is not long for the world on the Long Island Railroad, and John photographs the action at Morris Park, N.Y., and elsewhere, including Long Island steam-led commuter trains.
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K4s Shine Like Supernovas (July 11, 1955)
Just like supernovas, which are dying stars that shine their brightest just before losing their life, the Pennsy K4s assigned to the NY&LB commuter service shine their brightest in the PRR's last stronghold for steam. John spends a few days capturing the action at South Amboy.
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Riding the PRR Back Road to Wilkes-Barre (June 14, 1955)
A Diesel-led excursion from 30th St. Philadelphia to Wilkes-Barre using the PRR back-road to get there.
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Pennsy 7133 pulls an excursion (May 1, 1955)
John takes kodachrome slides of a railfan outing over PRR with the 7133 steam engine leading the train under the wires.
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Hammerheads to Gettysburg (May 1, 1955)
As John recollects, this was a trip that began out of Philadelphia, pulled by a PRR K4 with a "horizontal bar pilot" on the Pennsy via Columbia, MD., crossing the river on a railroad bridge that is long gone today, and ended on a Western Maryland branchline train to Gettysburg National Cemetary. That train was powered by a pair of Alco switchers, also known as "hammerheads". While there, John tours the historic Gettysburg battlefield. Later, he records scenes from onboard the WM branchline. The scenes from this trip include the WM portion of that journey.
This trip includes: 16 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
New Haven In Bright New Colors (April 24, 1955)
The New Haven changes their appearance from olive green to the McGinnis orange and black. John exposes some kodachrome on the new colors.
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A Long Island Steam Show (April 24, 1955)
The Long Island is killing their steam power but not before hosting fans at their Morris Park, N.Y., facility where their classy steam engines are turned on the table for admiring fans one last time.
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PRR excursion down the Port Line (October 10, 1954)
John rides one of Pennsy's excursions down the Port Line from Harrisburg, PA., to Perryville, Md. John captured views at Conowingo, MD., Holtwood, PA., and other spots from inside and outside the train. This line is still a busy freight line used by Norfolk Southern, although the electrification is long-gone, like the PRR.
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A Camelback Steam Excursion on the CNJ (July 11, 1954)
A Farewell to Steam excursion was held by the Jersey Chapter of the NRHS on July 11, 1954. The run, from Bay Head to Jersey City, covered the NY&LB, the Freehold Branch, and the Bayshore Branch (Matawan to Atlantic Highlands). CNJ Camelback #774, the last of its type, had the honors of running the train. It was extremely popular, we found a movie clip on the web. A link to the video is found on the links page. You will be able to make out the movie cameraman in the picture at Jersey City of the engine backing into the terminal. When you see the video, you will be impressed with the clip at which these little engines could haul a train down the mainline. John has been a member of the North Jersey Chapter of the NRHS since those days. The cost of the adult fare: $4.50!
This trip includes: 22 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
4th of July Canadian railfan adventure (July 3, 1954)
John joined his fellow New York City friends and railfans Bill Rosenberg, Martin Shaknee, and Harold Joseph and together they blasted off for a July 4th Canadian Railfan weekend, following the D&H north to the border, then making stops and taking photos of the Montreal Streetcar System, CN & CP steam engines, and Montreal & Southern Counties trolley system to Marieville.
This trip includes: 20 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The PRR in eastern Ohio (May 30, 1954)
Part of a PRR Ohio swing on Memorial Day weekend, PRR equipment in places like Massillion and Akron are spotlighted.
This trip includes: 9 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Riding the Pittsburg and Shawmut (May 30, 1954)
John rode the Pittsburg and Shawmut on a NRHS excursion, it was all part of a Memorial Day weekend railfan safari to places like Crestline and his ride on the P&S came on the trip back home.
This trip includes: 5 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Memorial Day weekend in Crestline, OH (May 24, 1954)
A trip to this famous PRR town in Ohio and crossing of the Big Four (NYC) Cleveland-Indianapolis line started off John''s Memorial Day weekend. It was a railfan weekend that culminated with an excursion on the Pittsburgh and Shawmut RR. In between, John photographed PRR facilities in Canton and Massillon.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A PRSL excursion from Philly to the shore (May 1, 1954)
John rides a Budd RDC to the shore excursion from Philly, meeting some unexpected interference from a construction crew building the Garden State Parkway. Also seen is action at Atlantic City and shoreline PCC.
This trip includes: 7 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Day at Altantic City (February 27, 1954)
John spent a day railfanning the platforms at the Atlantic City terminal of the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines where steam still ruled.
This trip includes: 11 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Junkyard Dog (February 20, 1954)
John wanders around shooting photos of the scrapping of the Public Service cars in Harrison, N.J.
This trip includes: 5 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
K4's on the NY&LB (February 13, 1954)
The active PRR steam found at South Amboy was a magnet to John. And the Raritan Railroad had a yard nearby. He began by shooting the K-4s from the PRR still working the Long Branch as they waited for departure. Included in the group of K4''''s was the famous PRR 1361, the only K4 later saved. Also recorded was the colorful equipment of the Raritan Railway, which had their yard next door. Then John moved on down the Long Branch to Bay Head Junction, where he photographed Pennsy steam and got invited into the cab of one of them.
This trip includes: 5 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Hurry Up, shoot the CNJ steam while you still can! (February 6, 1954)
The End is near for the CNJ steam so John takes advantage of every chance to capture these interesting engines.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Niagara, St. Catherines, & Toronto Safari (September 7, 1953)
John tags along with his NYC railfan buddies including William Rosenberg to shoot a far-off interurban in Ontario. Along the way, they make stops in Rochester (see Working the NYC Water Level Route trip) and discover NYC steam in action at Niagara Falls, N.Y. NYC steam had been banished to lines west of Buffalo earlier in the same summer of 1953.
This trip includes: 2 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Working the NYC Water Level Route (September 6, 1953)
The first stop on a western NY/eastern Ontario trip is Rochester, N.Y., where the Empire State Express fleet of the NYC called. Back then, the maze of tracks at the Rochester platforms to accomodate the volume of passenger and freight trains was something to behold compared to modern times.
This trip includes: 10 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Altoona In The Long Days of June (June 11, 1953)
The long-light of June enables John to expose much film in Altoona, exploring the backshops and shooting mainline action. This was a full day of PRR action and a great look back at how life in Altoona was once!
This trip includes: 28 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
CNJ High-Bridge Branch Steam Excursion (May 17, 1953)
CNJ was almost done with steam, John rode an excursion behind CNJ 4-6-2 steam over their High-Bridge branch.
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A May-day at Trenton (May 9, 1953)
PRR steam deadlines are growing and the Godfather wanders the property preserving it on film while the rest of the nation fears the Red Menace.
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Springtime Comes to the Meadows (May 2, 1953)
A fine May day finds John at the PRR Meadows engine terminal in Kearny, N.J.
This trip includes: 10 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Off The Beaten Path to Flemington (April 4, 1953)
A trip to visit the PRR and CNJ outpost of Flemington, N.J. CNJ commuter equipment layed over on the weekend, and we see CNJ steam in one of its final assignments. PRR branchline property is explored as well.
This trip includes: 8 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A NYC Diversion in Jersey (April 3, 1953)
NYC was one of the first railroads to completely dieselize, and John made a trip to the NYC facility at North Bergen, N.J., and found no active steam. But that doesn''t mean there wasn''t plenty of exotic 1st generation NYC diesel power though!
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Sunset at Sunnyside (March 28, 1953)
John makes one of many trips to the PRR yard at Long Island City, N.Y. and photographs the late-afternoon action. The sun sets over Manhattan as you watch the action below.
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PRR Valentines at Trenton (February 14, 1953)
The Godfather spends a day with the romance of the rails exploring this PRR terminal. On the way, he spends time at Elizabeth, N.J., shooting mainline action on the Pennsy.
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The Pemberton & Hightstown RR (November 4, 1952)
PRR supplied the equipment to Union Transportation Co. and the Pemberton & Hightstown RR and the Godfather made a day trip down to this location and photographed the rail environs.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Harry Truman on the New Haven (October 18, 1952)
John went to New Haven, CT., to spend the day taking train pictures. Little did he know that the President of the United States would be pulling in and giving a stump speech for Adlai Stevenson.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Passenger Trains of Boston (August 25, 1952)
A visit to relatives in the area afforded John a chance to slip away and photograph the trains at Boston''s passenger stations. Alco PAs, EMD E7As, and Budd RDCs are seen over a period of week in late August, 1952.
This trip includes: 12 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
A Quick Stop At Harmon (August 24, 1952)
John rode with his Mom and brother on a Sunday drive up to the NYC Harlem Division. Well, actually, it was to visit relatives but John convinced his family to give him a few minutes to expose some Kodachrome film on New York Central subjects...
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Altoona Here I Come! (September 10, 1951)
The Godfather is armed with his Argus C3 brick and some color film and is headed to Altoona, the heart of the PRR, for his first experience up close and personal with the Standard Railroad of the World. Back then, you could ride the train to your railfan destination if it was Altoona and you lived in New Jersey, and on this trip John rode PRR train #13, a mail train to St. Louis, led by Baldwin Centipedes west of Harrisburg (see the photos John snapped after detraining at Altoona). There were SO many things to take pictures of...
This trip includes: 13 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
West of Harrisburg on the PRR (June 24, 1951)
John makes his first trip west of Harrisburg and electrified territory on the PRR, traveling with a group of rail enthusiasts from the NYC area to Mt. Union, PA, where they detrained and went to visit the East Broad Top RR. Among the many subjects John photographed, a steam-led reefer train passing by at Mt. Union.
This trip includes: 9 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
PRR Toms River Branch Trip (April 15, 1951)
John traveled to Toms River N.J., the end of an obscure PRR branchline and a one-time back door route to the east from Trenton.
This trip includes: 4 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Broker Tragedy (February 7, 1951)
John stumbles upon the accident scene of the Broker derailment in Woodbridge, N.J., the day after the terrible accident that claimed 85 lives and injured 500. Back then, accident investigation scenes were not as secured as they are today, and John had no problem walking up to the street level just below the elevated portion where the PRR suburban train hit a shoefly sloworder at speed the day before. These are the only color photos of the wreck scene that have ever surfaced.
This trip includes: 2 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Alco PA Demonstrators Come To Town (November 19, 1950)
The Alco PA demonstrator is on display at Hunter St. yard in Newark, N.J.
This trip includes:
Steam on the Erie RR Greenwood Lake Branch (October 19, 1950)
John knows the Erie steam will soon be off the property, so he is excited to see this action on a Erie branchline.
This trip includes:
Lehigh Valley Commando Raid (October 15, 1950)
John makes an uninvited visit to the LV terminal in Oak Island, N.J. The Korean "conflict" has just started, and things are a little tense. John was asked to leave by a yard worker, fortunately he got a few shots first!
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Hanging Out at Communipaw Terminal (October 15, 1950)
Various scenes of CNJ and B&O passenger trains at one of America''s great terminals of the day.
This trip includes: 3 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Working The Docks with the LV (October 15, 1950)
Shots taken at the docks as LV switchers load the ferrys. These were taken with Ansco-Color film and restored in photoshop.
This trip includes: 2 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
The Erie RR Steam Swan Song (August 15, 1950)
Steam is still being used on the Erie out of New Jersey. John finds it.
This trip includes: 6 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Lehigh Valley Wreck Cleanup (July 15, 1950)
Teenager John stumbles onto the scene of a LV wreck, the workers are hard at their tasks cleaning up the mess with a steam-powered work train. During the action, John photographs the beautiful LV passenger engines taking riders past the accident site.
This trip includes: 2 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)
Jersey Central Coachyards In Color (January 15, 1950)
John has discovered color film. He likes it, spending the day at the throat of the busy CNJ terminal in Jersey City.
This trip includes: 1 Photos (Slideshow) or (Grid View)

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