Erie Lackawanna
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From: "Daniel McFadden" dan DOT mcfadden AT gmail DOT com
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 12:48:44 -0400
Subject: July 4th on the Lackawanna
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Fifty years ago today, the corporate fate of the DL&W was still being worked
out. As we now know, it was the last July 4th of it's corporate existence.
On July 4, 1960, the Lackawanna was essentially whole and running a great
mix of trains and equipment.

For this railfan, July 4, 1960 was a magical day because it was my first
opportunity to see some of the Lackawanna's storied route across the
Pocono's. It was a probably a pretty ordinary day on the railroad but it
made a big impression on me and the very imperfect photos taken with my
trusty Kodak Brownie are some of my favorites.

First up was Train 49 which we caught in the Water Gap. This train was
largely head end business and made stops that the Phoebe Snow skipped. The
power this day was pretty typical for this 10 car train, F3's 803C and 803A.
Because of the long station stop at East Stroudsberg, we were able to scoot
ahead and see this train a second time at Mount Pocono.

Then it was on to Cresco to see #2 (The Pocono Express) and #3 (the Phoebe
Snow). This day, #2 arrived at 12:19 with E8's 814 & 816 and 13 cars, 8 of
which were assorted head end. Then at 12:49, #3 arrived with E8's 817 & 815
in charge of 10 cars.

Funny the details that we remember. At Cresco, I was impressed with a
station sign that was anchored to the granite walls around the curve a few
hundred feet west of the station. I also remember a siding on the westbound
(station) side. I was told that when Hurricane Diane was on a rampage in
1955, a through line train (#7, the Westerner) was held at Cresco and
finally backed into this siding and marooned for some time. I never heard
any additional detail about this over the years.

On the way home, one additional stop was made in Washington, NJ. There was
no activity but the equipment for Lakeland Express commuter train was there
due to it being a holiday. The first car of this train was, which shows in
the photo, was the Mountain Lakes Subscription Car.

We did see some freight that day but not on the mountain. At Denville that
evening, we witnessed BH-8 in two sections, both with 90 cars, one with
three Trainmasters. Also running in two sections this last July 4th for the
DL&W was #6, the eastbound Phoebe Snow. As for local freight, the Old Road
drill had 44 cars with most headed for the Morristown and Erie interchange.
In between all this were the hourly MU's and several Boonton Line passenger
runs. The Lackawanna did not lack for variety.

Taking one more look at the shot of #49 sailing through the Gap, you can
just make out a man between the two units. That is William Hopping Sr. It
was he and son Bill that took me on this journey. I doubt any two people
spent more time observing the Lackawanna in this time period. I have them to
thank for this wonderful day.

Days like this create memories that last a lifetime.

Dan McFadden
Mountain Lakes, NJ




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