2004 News & Photos
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October 2004, Updates from All Fronts...
The Delaware-Lackawanna:
Business continues to be strong on the DL.  In order to meet the demands of increasing carloads and new customers, the DL aquired several additional locomotives during 2004.  First we see a rare bird indeed, DL 324 is a former Southern Pacific dynamic brake-equiped, factory low-nose RS-11.  This unit, which also served on the California Western, a frieght and tourist hauler in its namesake state, came by way of midwest shortline Kankakee Beaverville and Southern.  The first photograph of the 324 shows this unit on the KB&NS while being readied for the trip to Scranton.  Not sure who sent this to us, but if the photographer would identify himself, credit will follow.  The second photo shows the 324 at the always busy DL South Scranton shop along with MHWA 806, now assigned to the DL.  Photo by ED Kaspriski.

Two even rarer units were quired after the 324.  DL 210 and 211 are RS-32's oringinally of the New York Central and Southern Pacific Railroads.  Aquired in the fall of this year, these 2000 hp units last served the Tishimango RR.  This third photo also courtesy of Ed Kaspriski.
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The RS-11 is shown at South Scranton
Ex CP RS-11 on the KB&S
Ex SP RS-32 shown at Bridge 60 in Scranton
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CP Rail and the R&N:
Things have quieted down on both lines after a somewhat eventful Winter and Spring.  Traffic continues to flow at a steady pace on both lines with both home road power and run through trains such as NS 40T seen here arriving at Taylor Yard.
The R&N is set to begin regular passenger operations out of Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania in 2005.  Your Scrantontrains editor had the privledge of riding an R&N special from Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe on Dec 12.  In Jim Thorpe, Rail Tours Inc was operating their final trains out fo the former CNJ station.
Steamtown NHS:
Steamtown National Historic Site finished a year filled with some suprises.  Regular excursions to Moscow, PA gave way to sporatic "special excursions" and new interpretive programs in the Scranton railyard.  One of the new attractions at Steamtown were photo-runby's within yard limits such as the one seen to the right.  Steamtown (www.nps.gov/stea) will operate a special winter excursion to Tobyhanna PA on January 15, 2005, the first time steam has traversed the Pocono Main during the winter months since 1996.

Photo courtesy of Ken Ganz, National Park Service.
May 2004, News from Around the Globe...
The Delaware-Lackawanna:
Several new customers have come on line, including Trevdan Supply Co., which is now accepting cars via a new siding in Mount Pocono.  Additional products are now being placed at Valley Distributing in South Scranton and several more industries are expected online in the next few months.

A new car storage siding has bee constructed in Greenridge, helping to alleviate the build up of inbound cars in Scranton.  Additional track work and upgrades will begin in shortly on the Carbondale and Pocono Lines as well.

Power on the DL continues to be as varied as the customers served.  Current power includes DL 3642, DL 2461, DL 4103, DL 310, MHWA 645, MHWA 804 and CNUR 325.  DL 334 also made a few mainline appearences before heading to NY state.

The DL even took delivery of a caboose, a former DL&W Scranton-built car shown here.
CP Rail & the R&N:
Things have quieted down on both lines after a somewhat eventful Winter and Spring.  It seems like almost every week there was a derailment of one kind or another in the Wyoming Valley on one of the two roads.  Fortunately none involved serious injury or hazardous materials.  Traffic continues to flow at a steady pace on both lines.
The first photograph shows the aftermath of an R&N derailment at Oak Street in Pittston on 12/29 while the second shows Hulcher heavy equipment working on a CP Rail accident in Laflin on 12/26.  Scenes like this were somewhat common throughout the '03/'04 winter season.  Both photos courtesy of Ed Kaspriski.
Steamtown NHS:
Running gear work continues on CN 3254 at Steamtown.  It is hoped that this work can be completed by the July Fourth Holiday Weekend so that the engine can be used on a series of excursions to Tobyhanna, PA.
The Electric City Trolley:
On May 28, 2004, the Electric City Trolley began officially operating over a 2.5 mile extension to the Lackawanna County Visitor Center on Montage Mountain, making for what is now a 10 mile round trip.  The complete ride takes passengers through a mile long tunnel, over a curved trestle, past homes, lakes and streams in what is sure to be one of the most exciting trolley rides available today.
With the drastic cutback in Steamtown Excursions, the Electric City Trolley is, on most days, the only ride in Scranton that actually goes somewhere, and at a reasonable fare, its good for the whole family.

The following photographs were taken on the first test run of Trolley 76 to the Visitor Center in early April of 2004.  Be sure to click the photos for larger versions
Trolley 76 stops at the passing siding in the area known as "Little Virginia". At this passing siding trolley cars may pass one another if two-car operation is ever required.  Here contractors and DL employees inspect an overhead wire frog.
Mission Accomplished!  After over a decade of planning and developement, the Laurel Line rebuild is complete as Trolley 76 arrives at the Lackawanna County Visitor Center.
Trolley 76 pauses at the Lackawanna County Visitor Center, seen in the top left corner.  Work is also underway to further extend the route by constructing new track to the Lackawanna County Stadium, another half mile away.
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