THE BUS TO EASY STREET. HOW I BECAME A HOBO.

It is ironic that I, a life long railroad buff, had my first encounter with hobos on a bus rather than a train. When I was about eleven years old my family lived for about a year in Bonhamtown, New Jersey. This small section of Edison Township was a transportation hub. A maze of highways and rail lines. One day I was riding my bicycle along Old Post Road, in search of whatever tracks remained from the defunct Platte Valley Trolley line, that I had read ran thru that area, when I came upon a bus repair facility that belonged to the Public Service bus company. Behind the bus garages I spotted a field overgrown with high weeds that only partially concealed about three dozen old Ford buses that were left to rust away until they might be needed for parts, or, be sold for scrap metal. Ford Motor Company manufactured city transit buses like the one pictured from the 1930's until the end of World War Two when Ford quit the bus business. I could not resist dismounting my bike and wading into the weeds to explore the buses. The reader must understand that in the early 1950's young boys rode off alone on large heavy Schwinn bicycles to travel wherever their whims carried them. Our parents never knew where we might wander. The only rule was "be home by dark." Sadly, the World is different now.

I was having a ball climbing all over the buses, looking into the engine compartments, sitting in the drivers seats, etc. I was sitting behind the wheel pretending to drive one of the buses when a voice spoke from behind me,"Let me off at Easy Street." I sat frozen and scared. A middle aged man strolled to the front of the bus and sat on dash board so that he faced me. He asked if I was a runaway. I assured him I was not and told him my dad and older brother were with me, prowling around some of the other buses. All I would have to do is yell and they would come running. He cupped his hands in front of his mouth and yelled as loud as he could, "Hey! Hey You! Come over here and claim your little piss ass liar!" Then he chuckled and asked my name. Still not quite trusting him I told him it was Jack. He questioned me a while longer until he was sure I was not a runaway. Then he shared with me that his name was Whistle Stop Warren and he was a hobo. He had been napping in the bus. I doubted he was a hobo because he was dressed in work clothes rather than worn out patched up rags. Besides, he was clean shaven. Although I made no comment, he sensed my skepticism. "I said I was a hobo kid, not a tramp or a bum. I see I'm going to have to teach you a thing or two."

Whistle, as he preferred to be called, lectured me for more than an hour about the differences between hobos, tramps, bums, alcoholics, recluses, homeless people, etc. It was quite clear in his mind that each group was distinct unto itself although I could see some commonalities between the groups. However, I was not about to debate with Whistle. He held that hobos travel about, mostly by rail, in search of work, usually agricultural, which sustains their humble existence. Hobos value their independence and freedom and live carefree lives without the encumbrances of mortgage payments, taxes, or, other such obligations. Hobos are a fraternity and a family like culture in and of themselves. He talked of a hobo code or creed, of a loose government of Kings and Queens, and of a National newspaper The Hobo News (Now published on line at hobonews.com). I could scarcely take it all in, but, I was certain of one thing: I wanted to be a hobo. In reality I have dabbled in the hobo life style most of my life just as some men go on hunting or fishing trips. I have pursued hoboing much more in my semi-retirement years. This is the case with most of the hobos I encounter. Pensioners, schoolteachers hoboing on their summer vacations, ex military, businessmen escaping the rat race for a few weeks, etc. Once in a while I meet up with a full time hobo, but, not often.

Eventually, Whistle asked if I was hungry and offered to share a hot meal with me. I assumed he had some type of food with him that we would cook in the bus yard. Instead, he helped me stow my bike inside one of the buses and had me follow him as we tramped thru the tall weeds towards a wooded area just across a railroad track. I learned that the track was active, a branch line that served a Ford automobile plant located on Highway One in Edison near the intersection of Vineyard Road. I knew the facility well, having gone there once for a plant tour with my Scout Troop. North of the Ford Plant the branch line meandered into a railroad yard that connected to the main Pennsylvania Railroad line that ran from Washington D.C. to Boston via New York, known today as Amtraks Northeast Corridor Line. Little did I know then, that somewhere around my thirteenth birthday, I would hop my first freight train from the very track Whistle and I were walking across.

After a short hike thru the woods Whistle announced that we would soon be entering a hobo jungle. Hobos like to camp out in thickly wooded areas where they cannot easily be seen, hence the term "jungle." This jungle actually turned out to be some type of picnic park, fair ground, or camp meeting. There was quite a number of small buildings, covered pavilions, out houses, a stage or bandstand, many years abandoned and left to rot and become overgrown with vegetation. There was not one speck of paint left on any of the wooden structures and some had entire trees growing right up thru their floor boards and out of their roofs. One hobo thought the place had once been called Shady Brook and that it had been built around the turn of the century. The buildings were arranged along a midway so the set up resembled something like the main street of a small town. I noted there was a hand carved sign, no doubt the work of some previous hobo, nailed to a tree that read EASY STREET.

The population of the hobo jungle looked to be about eight men and three women. I was surprised not only to see women, but also, everyone was wearing regular clothing. These folks looked more like campers than hobos. Whistle later explained that women hobos are quite common. Some are spouses of male hobos. Others are widows, runaway wives, or, adventures. He further explained that hobos clad in ragged, patched up, dirty clothing were somewhat common during the Great Depression. Due to news photos of that era the image stuck. Sometimes hobos, especially hobo musicians, will costume themselves that way to entertain the public, but, when traveling the rails, it is better not to be noticeable. The smell of food and coffee cooking in one of the buildings shifted my focus from curiosity to hunger. We had homemade beef and bean chili, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and, white bread. We washed it down with black coffee and red Kool-Aid. After a lot of good natured talk, and, more than a few tall tales, Whistle and I were assigned to clean up duty since we had not helped with the meal preparation. Whistle and several of the others, escorted me back to the bus to retrieve my bike and sent me on my way home.

It was a few days before I could get back to the hobo jungle. I was anxious to see my new found friends again. They were nowhere to be found. Apparently they had traveled on. Over the next two years I visited EASY STREET a few times a month. Once in a while I would encounter a hobo or two. Never a group, and, never Whistle. However, something started in me back then that has kept me traveling the rails for more than half a century.

KINGS OF THE ROAD

Few people have not heard Roger Miller's famous ballad KING OF THE ROAD. I actually got to know Roger a bit when we both worked at the same record label in Nashville. Turns out he made up the entire song after driving by a sign that read: TRAILERS FOR SALE OR RENT. However, we hobos can actually boast of some real musical Kings Of The Road such as Arlo Guthrie and, of course, his dad Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, and Merle Haggard. We also have a few authors among our ranks such as Jack London, James Michener, and, Jack Kerouac. Notable actors include, Robert Mitchum, and here again, we must include Burl Ives, who, to my mind, was the best Big Daddy that ever graced a production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Following we will take a closer look at some of these road kings:

MERLE HAGGARD: In a 2010 interview for VANITY FAIR MAGAZINE (of all places) country music super star Merle Haggard offered the readers some sage advice about hopping freight trains, "If you can't run as fast as the train, it's never going to happen." Merle should know. He was pretty much a full time hobo from 1950 to 1956, and, a part timer most of his life. Merle remembers hoping his first train at about age ten. He didn't have to wander too far from home as his dad worked for the Santa Fe railroad and the Haggard family lived in an old box car his dad had converted into a house. Trains were in his blood. When I worked in the music business in Nashville, we had occasion to swap a hobo yarn or two.

JAMES MICHENER: "Years of wonder and enchantment." That's how James Michener referred to his years as a hobo. By the age of twenty he had toured much of the United States by hopping freights or hitchhiking. His stint as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy wetted his appetite for world travel. Little wonder that he titled his autobiography THE WORLD IS MY HOME. Michener, a native of Doylestown Pennsylvania, opted for a simple life and donated most of the money he earned, more than 100 million dollars in his lifetime. Despite selling over 75 million books, and, winning a Pulitzer prize, he disliked being called an author sometimes remarking that it "stunk of pomposity." A member of The National Hobo Foundation, Britt, Iowa, he was often interviewed for film documentaries like THE AMERICAN HOBO, or, publications such as THE HOBO TIMES (thehobotimes.com). Till the end of his life, he longed for the open road. He is the only hobo to be honored with his image on a U.S. postage stamp. Ok, ok, maybe it had a little something to do with his writing.

WOODY GUTHRIE: What hobo, or regular citizen, has not sang at least a few lines from THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND? Written in 1940 by Woody Guthrie, "The Dust Bowl Troubadour," it has earned a place as a true American anthem. During the Great Depression Woody hoboed about the West with scores of other migrant workers. Although born in Oklahoma, for most of his life Woody made his home in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn New York when he was not on the road. He freely published his address, 3520 Mermaid Avenue, and his home became a popular stop for hobos, musicians, and, other assorted folk. Even today Brooklyn is a hot bed for hobos (Google brooklynhobotimes). Woody wrote a song called MERMAID'S AVENUE in which he lamented, "I've never seen a Mermaid here on Mermaid Avenue." Woody documented his life of traveling and making music in his autobiography, BOUND FOR GLORY. Woody was a member of The National Hobo Foundation, Britt, Iowa.

ARLO GUTHRIE: Following the path of his famous father Woody, Arlo Guthrie birthed another American anthem when he popularized Steve Goodman's railroad ballad, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. To the general public Arlo is best known for his classic work, ALICE'S RESTAURANT, but, to the hobo community, it is his moving rendition of HOBO'S LULLABY, that brings us to tears around the evening fire, especially when Arlo himself is present to sing it with us. Go to the website hobo.com and click on the link: Hobo Musicians. Due to my own musical career, Arlo and I are both members of ASCAP (American Society Composers, Authors, and Publishers) as well as The National Hobo Foundation of Britt, Iowa. We also both played at WOODSTOCK, but, that's a story you'll have to gather around the fire to hear.

ROBERT MITCHUM: There is an old expression, "Art imitates life." or, is it the other way around? In 1933 a film WILD BOYS OF THE ROAD was made that told the story of two teenage boys who took to the hobo life in search of work to help support their Depression Era family. Ironically, that same year, Robert Mitchum and his brother Jack were living the script of that movie in real life. Their father, a railroad worker, was crushed to death in a rail yard accident. The small railroad pension their mother received was not enough to make ends meet. Robert and his brother had a number of hobo adventures including Robert being arrested for vagrancy in Savannah, Georgia and winding up on a chain gang. Robert eventually escaped and rejoined his brother and together they hoboed to New Orleans. The brothers got separated again when Robert managed to hop a train west. His brother Jack missed boarding the boxcar when he was grabbed by a railroad cop. Robert Mitchum, who arrived in Los Angeles in a box car, would go on to act in more than one hundred films, often in the starring role. In the process he landed in jail a few more times, notably for marijuana possession. Little is known about his hoboing after he became a movie star, but, close friends say he remained "footloose" for a good part of his life.

BURL IVES: Often hobos take on road names for reasons of privacy, or, just to be more colorful. Folksinger/actor Burl Ives went by "The Wayfaring Stranger." However, as a member of The National Hobo Foundation, Britt, Iowa, (hobo.com) Burl used his regular name. Many recreational hobos learned their outdoor survival skills in the military or from Scouting. Burl Ives not only served in the U.S. Army Air Force, but, was a life long Boy Scout. Burl is among the elite recipients of the Silver Buffalo Medal, the highest honor The Boy Scouts Of America can award. Burl often spoke and entertained at Boy Scout Jamborees. Feeling that collage was a waste of his time, Burl quit Eastern Illinois University and went hoboing. He made his way around the country playing his banjo and singing folk songs. In the late 80's his former university named a building after their most famous dropout. Burl Ives went on to record over 60 singles and albums and grace us with such iconic songs as BLUE TAIL FLY, BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN (a hobo ditty), and, A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS. He several times had his own National radio programs, plus a television series. Burl also appeared in 7 major Broadway productions and 30 films winning both the Academy and Golden Globe awards for his role of Rufus Hannassey in the 1958 film THE BIG COUNTRY. When Tennessee Williams penned CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF he wrote the part of "Big Daddy" Pollitt specifically for Burl Ives. Burl played the roll both on Broadway, and later, in the movie. Burl also wrote his autobiography THE WAYFARING STRANGER which he followed up about fifteen years later with, THE WAYFARING STRANGER'S NOTEBOOK. Burl was a lifelong hobo whenever he found the time.

JACK LONDON: Funny about hobos. Jack is the most common hobo name, and, hobos like to write about their adventures. Jack London's classic works CALL OF THE WILD and WHITE FANG are well known to the general public, but, ask a hobo which was London's best work and he will quickly reference THE ROAD, Jack's hoboing memoir. Unfortunately, Jack had rough times as a hobo often being beaten, robbed, or, jailed, and, many times going hungry. Remembrances of sleeping in soggy clothes in the freezing rain make THE ROAD a book that probably discouraged many a would-be hobo. Some of his problems were, no doubt, a product of the time in which he hoboed. The World was a harsher place in the old days. Also, London was a life long social activist. Standing up for your rights when confronted by authority, will usually buy you some misery. As bad as it sometimes got, it did not discourage Jack London. London is registered with the National Hobo Foundation, Britt, Iowa. (hobo.com)

JACK KEROUAC: "I myself was a hobo, but only of sorts..." So stated Jack Kerouac in the beginning of his 1960 essay, THE VANISHING AMERICAN HOBO. Partly, his reasoning was that if you hoboed only until you became a success at something, you were not the genuine article. A true hobo embraces an entire life of drifting and just getting by. Still, at least in the mind of the general public, Kerouac is synonymous with hobo since his sensational novel ON THE ROAD became a best seller in 1957. The book, which Kerouac finished in 1951, took almost 6 years to find a publisher with the courage, or stomach, to set it in print. When the novel took off Kerouac set right to work on the sequel DHARMA BUMS published in late 1958. Although Kerouac worked briefly at one point as a railroad brakeman, and did some hoboing by rail, he usually preferred hitchhiking and walking. He did have plenty of hobo experiences for sure, but, nearly a lifetime of alcohol abuse caused him to often cross the line from hobo to bum. He spent about as much time in big city skid rows as he did in rural hobo jungles. I suggest reading his work and making your own judgements, but be advised, it is not for the faint of heart. Kerouac died at age 47 from alcohol fueled liver failure. Kerouac once wrote: "Everyone ends up in a ditch at some point." Rest in peace Jack.

JACK OF HEARTS

I have a number of hobbies, one of which is hoboing. I'm not going to even try and explain this other than to say it's no odder than people who go to STAR WARS conventions or reenact Revolutionary or Civil War battles. If you want to try and figure it out go to the web site hobonews.com and be sure to read all the links and watch all the videos. Then E-Mail me and explain to me why I do it. Anyway, hobos take on road names, usually train orientated, such as Railroad Bill or Box Car Willie. My road name is Jack Of Hearts. Following is it's origin:

My legal first name is Jack. I was named for my father's best friend John who went by the nickname Jack. When I started parochial school the nuns refused to accept Jack as my name since any good Catholic boy was always named for a saint. They dubbed me John and that stuck. I got even with those nuns by eventually becoming a Protestant, but, to this day, only family and close friends call me Jack.

In card decks the Jack Of Hearts is always pictured facing left. There is another side of him we do not get to see. That fits my personality in many ways. Being the lowest of the picture cards in a deck, after the ten and before the queen, Jack meets the minimum standard for royalty. My grandmother often quipped, "Jack, you're every other inch a gentleman." In many poker games the minimum to start a bet is a pair of jacks, "jacks or better." Before 1860, Jack was called the Knave, a male servant to royalty. Most of my working life as a piano technician, the majority of my clients have been the rich and famous. In French Jack is known as LaHire, a warrior. I have a violent streak, not usually evident unless you cross me. In 1976 Marvel Comics introduced a new super hero called The Jack Of Hearts, aka Jack Hart. He went about righting wrongs and defending the helpless. I have also tried to do some good for others in my life. After about ten years, Jack committed suicide rather than be imprisoned forever by his conquerors. A route I might choose under similar circumstances. There have been a few Jack Of Hearts in literature and song, notably on Bob Dylan's 1975 album BLOOD ON THE TRACKS. Jack is usually portrayed as an adventurous, charming, rouge who lives by his wits,and has a way with the ladies. He is likable, funny, and a good story teller. I'll plead guilty to most of the preceding and take the fifth concerning the rest.

I believe it was Shakespeare who asked, "what's in a name." Now you know.

JACK OF HEARTS RAIL JOURNEYS ( Part One )

REGRETTABLY, BEFORE I HAD A COMPUTER, I  MADE HUNDREDS OF TRAIN TRIPS THAT ARE DOCUMENTED ONLY IN MY SCRAPBOOKS.  PLEASE  ENJOY THE FEW     ADVENTURES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO POST HERE.  Jack Of Hearts,  John Aaron           
  
MAINE NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD COMPANY AND MUSEUM. PORTLAND MAINE.

On October 2nd, 2011 my daughter Jane Cheslo and I paid a visit to the MAINE NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD COMPANY AND MUSEUM located along the waterfront area of Portland Maine. Their address is 58 Fore Street and their phone is 207-828-0814. They are open May thru October and can easily be accessed by taking the AMTRAK DOWNEASTER train from Boston.  A STORY ABOUT RIDING THE DOWNEASTER APPEARS ELSEWHERE ON THIS BLOG

Founded in 1992 to preserve the history of New England narrow gauge railroads, the Museum features both static displays and actual train rides along the coast of Portland Harbor. From the 1870s to the 1940s  Maine  boasted over 200 miles of narrow gauge rail, operated by five railroads. Transporting both passengers and freight, they connected the less populated areas of Maine with the larger cities. Narrow gauge in Maine was 24 inches between the rails, less than half the width of standard gauge track. Because all the equipment and the rail itself was smaller and lighter it was much more economical to build a narrow gauge railroad.  Many rural communities and small industries would not have had rail service at all were it not for narrow gauge,   My hope  is that the following photos will encourage you to plan to visit Portland Maine. or. at least, a narrow gauge railway near where you live.

NUMBER 4  NARROW GAUGE STEAMER BUILT IN 1918 "RUNNING EXTRA."

DAUGHTER JANE CHESLO GETS READY FOR A CAB RIDE ON A  TWO FOOT GAUGE DIESEL.

DIESEL AT MAINE NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD COMPANY AND MUSEUM, PORTLAND ME.

NARROW GAUGE RAIL BUSES UNDER RESTORATION IN SHOP AREA

TRAIN CONDUCTOR AND JACK OF HEARTS HAVE THE TRAIN UNDER "PROPER SUPERVISION."

                                                                                                                   

THE JACK OF HEARTS INSPECTS A WAYBILL AT THE NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD COMPANY

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                    PORTLAND MAINE, AMTRAK DOWNEASTER, FLYING YANKEE.

Whenever a railfan or travel magazine publishes a list of the best train rides in the United States, the Amtrak DOWNEASTER which connects Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts always makes the list. In one trip you get to experience historic Boston, quaint New Hampshire villages, and the rugged seacoast of Maine. The term Down Easter refers to a type of New England sailing ship built for reliability and speed.  Amtrak's DOWNEASTER upholds that tradition making the 112 mile run in about two and one half hours which includes ten station stops.

The Boston & Maine and Maine Central Railroads collaborated on one of the first high speed diesel powered trains which was called the FLYING YANKEE.  Based in Portland, it charged up and down the Maine Coast from 1935 to 1957. It was replaced by a sad mix of commuter trains and highway buses until 2007 when the DOWNEASTER took over the route and first class train service between Portland and Boston was finally restored.  The usual Amtrak consist is operated as a push /pull with a late model diesel locomotive providing the motive power and FP40s  rebuilt as control cabs / baggage combines,  Modern comfortable Amtrak coaches, both coach class and business (first) class, plus a cafe lounge, make up the balance of the train set. At this writing, January 2017, the average fare was $30.00 and you can travel in style by paying only $9.00 more for business (first) class.  I always go for that bargain.  Even the Jack Of Hearts Hobo likes to live it up now and then.

JACK OF HEARTS AT BOSTON NORTH STATION READY TO BOARD THE DOWNEASTER.

THE DOWNEASTER HEADED FOR BOSTON NORTH STATION

DOWNEASTER IS A PUSH -PULL AND USES  FP40s  AS CONTROL  CAB / BAGGAGE  COMBINES

THE FLYING YANKEE WAS THE PREDECESSOR OF THE AMTRAK DOWNEASTER

Amtrak operates five to six DOWNEASTER trains in both directions daily with a few northbound trains making an additional 25 mile run to the college town of Brunswick, Maine. Since I live near Philadelphia, I usually take an Amtrak train to Boston via New York and depart for Maine from Boston North station.  On one occasion in October of 2011 my daughter Jane Cheslo and I drove thru the night and boarded the DOWNEASTER at Portland, Maine to spend a day touring Boston.

THE DOWNEASTER CROSSES SOLOMON FALLS

THE DOWNEASTER PULLS INTO SACO MAINE

VIEW FROM DOWNEASTER OF OLD ORCHARD BEACH

PORTLAND  MAINE WATERFRONT
Portland is the largest city in Maine and home to nearly half a million people.  Portland Harbor is also a port for many cruise  ships that ply the Atlantic Ocean.  Portland is a center for the arts, shopping, nightlife, and all the lobster you can eat.


TROLLEYS AT DARBY TRANSPORTATION CENTER, "THE DARBY LOOP."   THE TOWER THEATER.        

PATCO RAIL CAR REBUILT BY ALSTOM

On September 1st, 2016, after suffering out one of the hottest summers we've had in the Philadelphia area for many years, I was finally able to get back on the rails when the heat wave broke, exactly on the first day of September. With no particular plan in mind, I headed for the Voorhees, N.J. Ashland Station of the PATCO HIGH SPEED LINE. Luck smiled on me as I was able to board one of the newly refurbished train sets that were rebuilt from the 35 year old rail cars which still make up the majority of the equipment on the line. These newer cars are quite luxurious including interior colors selected by a committee of the lines regular commuters.  The new plusher seats are especially comfy as we headed out for Center City Philadelphia.

INTERIOR WAS DESIGNED BY PATCO RIDERS THEMSELVES

I decided to leave the train at the Eighth and Market Streets Station in Philadelphia and treated myself to a great cup of coffee as I phoned a friend who lives in a 44th floor penthouse right in the middle of town. The walls are glass from floor to ceiling and the horseshoe shape of the building seems like you are in a fish bowl.  From that perch you can see City Hall, Fairmont Park, Boat House Row, The Art Museum, and just about everything else worth seeing.  However, the highlight for me is that you get a great bird's eye view of Amtrak's 30th Street Station including all the tracks to and from, the coach yards, and Conrail's freight yards.  A rail fans dream.  I cannot afford such a spectacular penthouse, but, it is nice to know someone who can. After a most pleasant visit it was time to hit the rails again.

THE MURANO BUILDING

30TH STREET STATION center  AS VIEWED FROM THE MURANO BUILDING

So much luxury begged for contrast.  Right across the street from my friend's building I hopped aboard one of SEPTA'S Subway / Surface trolley Cars and made the lengthily trip thru some of Philadelphia's most impoverished neighborhoods to the Darby Transportation Center.  Since the trolleys turn around there to head back to City Hall in downtown Philly, locals call it the Darby Loop. This #11 Trolley route is one of the longer ones in the city.  From there I took  a bus to the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby PA.

DARBY TRANSPORTATION CENTER, "THE DARBY LOOP."

Upper Darby's 69th Street Terminal is one of my favorite places.  A mecca for traction fans, the immense brick structure, more than a century old,  hosts trolleys, subways, interburbans, buses of all sorts, and, the famous Norristown High Speed Line "Bullet Cars."  Entertainment fans know it for the famous Tower Theater. It's hard to name a rock or folk act that hasn't played the tower. Food fans know it for the great pizza.  For a buck and a half you get a slice so large it is easily 1/4 of a whole pie!

PART OF 69TH STREET TERMINAL

FAMOUS TOWER THEATER AT 69TH STREET TERMINAL

We Welsh have a saying, "Every string has an end" and, so do great days.  From 69th Street Terminal I took the Market-Frankford Elevated Line, "The EL" as the locals refer to it, back to Center City Philadelphia and transferred to the PATCO line back home to South Jersey.  Back on my home turf I took a vote and me, myself, and I agreed that a lobster dinner would cap the day off nicely.                                                                                                                       

"ALMOST HEAVEN, WEST VIRGINIA." John Denver.  CASS SCENIC RAILROAD SHAY LOCOMOTIVES.

On May 28th, 2016,  my daughter Jane Cheslo and myself arrive in West Virginia to visit the lumber mill town of Cass and explore the historic railroad more than a century old.  Jane has a number of things on her sight seeing agenda but I am laser focused on seeing the famous Shay steam locomotives in action. Since Shays are built for power and agility, but, not speed, it is easy to walk or jog alongside to observe the locomotives unique side cylinders propel the complicated shaft and gear drive mechanism.  I was particularly taken by Shay # 6 that arrived on the mountain in 1905 and has worked faithfully ever since.  A visit to Cass had long been on my bucket list, but, I am not much of a driver, especially on steep mountain roads, and, no railroads service this rural isolated area. Thankfully, my son-in law took charge of his household and spared my daughter to take this old hobo on a road trip.  Jane did a yeoman's task of driving!  With friendly folks, home cooked food, comfortable lodging, and a town time forgot, I highly recommend putting Cass West Virginia on your own bucket list.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a State Park located in Cass, Pocahontas County,West Virginia. It consists of the Cass Scenic Railroad, an 11-mile (18 km) long heritage railroad that is owned by the state of West Virginia. The park also includes the former company town of Cass and a portion of the summit of Bald Knob, highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain. 

Founded in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (now MeadWestvaco), Cass was built as a company town to serve the needs of the men who worked in the nearby mountains cutting spruce and hemlock for the West Virginia Spruce Lumber Company, a subsidiary of WVP&P. At one time, the sawmill at Cass was the largest double-band sawmill in the world. It processed an estimated 1.25 billion board feet(104,000,000 cu ft; 2,950,000 m³) of lumber during its lifetime.

In 1901 work started on the railroad, which climbs Back Allegheny Mountain. The railroad eventually reached a meadow area, now known as Whitaker Station, where a logging camp was established for the immigrants who were building the railroad. The railroad soon reached to the top of Gobblers Knob, and then to a location on top of the mountain known as 'Spruce'. The railroad built a small town at this location, complete with a company store, houses, a hotel, and a doctors office. Work soon commenced on logging out theRed Spruce trees, which grew in the higher elevations. The WVP&P originally had only been interested in the Red Spruce timber for the purpose of making pulp, which would be turned into paper. It wasn't until a few years later when the company realized that the mountain held a fortune in hardwoods, such as maple, cherry, birch and oak. The company decided that they would build a mill in the town of Cass, which could process these hardwoods.

CASS DEPOT.  COMPANY STORE AT LEFT

SHAY # 5 CAME TO THE MOUNTAIN IN 1905 AND STILL WORKING!

THE JACK OF HEARTS ABOARD SHAY # 3

SHAY # 6 ATTACKS BALD KNOB

COMPANY HOUSES CAN BE RENTED REASONABLY FOR YOUR STAY IN CASS

SHAY # 5 STEAMS UP

THE POTOMAC EAGLE, ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA.
On May 29th, 2016 my daughter Jane Cheslo and I arrive in Romney, West Virginia  to take a ride on the famed Potomac Eagle. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Romney,West Virginia. The railroad operates excursion trains over a former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line that runs from Green Spring to Petersburg. The West Virginia State Rail Authority(SRA) owns the line and freight service is provided by the South Branch Valley Railroad. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's excursion trains run from Romney to Moorefield with occasional longer trips to Petersburg. All trains use diesel locomotives. A highlight of the trip is passage along the South Branch Potomac River through "The Trough", an area noted for bald eagle sightings.  On our trip Jane and I sighted eight eagles counting three little ones poking their white heads out of a nest.  The train consists of vintage passenger coaches, a post war era club car,  a snack car, and, an open air gondola car to better view and photograph the eagles from. All equipment is meticulously maintained. Motive power, to the delight of us rail fans, consists of a small fleet of vintage diesels.  The day we rode a beautifully restored F7-A # 722 in Baltimore & Ohio livery was in charge. The engineer and I had a nice conversation in the snack car when he was on his break.  He had retired after 38 years with the B&O but still could not keep his hands off of the throttle.  This trip was so scenic I'm going to let the following photos speak for themselves.  Put this trip on your bucket list, but, don't show up without buying your tickets in advance.  This trip is usually sold out.

THE JACK OF HEARTS WITH F7-A  NUMBER 722

THE POTOMAC EAGLE

FOLLOWING THE RIVER LOOKING FOR EAGLES

THE FAMOUS "TROUGH"

WE SPOTTED EIGHT EAGLES ON OUR TRIP

THE CLUB CAR

WE PASSED MANY OLD FARMS ON OUR WAY TO " THE TROUGH."  THIS HOUSE IS MID 1700s

THE VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS, SPOTSAVANIA, VA TO WASHINGTON, DC.
On May 31st, 2016 my daughter Jane Cheslo and I are up at the crack of dawn ot board the early morning VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS commuter train from Spotsavania, VA to Union Station in Washington DC. Known as the Fredericksburg  Line, it boasts fantastic country and waterfront scenery and some breathtaking views of our National Monuments entering Washington. The line also cuts right thru FBI headquarters at Quantico VA. The equipment is modern and rides smoothly and features interesting double decker coaches with a unique seating arrangement that allows the conductor to access all passengers without having to climb up to the second level. It is a push-pull operation with a locomotive at one end and a cab control car at the other. There is an entire shopping mall housed  inside of Union Station Washington with a great variety of food options. Since we had skipped breakfast,we choose an upscale restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely meal of  fine teas, omelets, and fresh fruit. Slightly pricey, but, the elegant  male waiters were well worth their gratuities. Following is some background on the VIRGINA RAILWAY EXPRESS including 5 photos:

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) (reporting mark VREX) is a regional/commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia suburbs to Union Station in Washington, D.C., via two lines: the Fredericksburg Line from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the ManassasLine from Broad Run/Airport station in Bristow, Virginia.Service to Manassas began on June 22, 1992; the Fredericksburg service started on July 20, 1992.

VRE TRAINS ARE SMOOTH AND FAST

VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS ROUTE MAP

VRE DOUBLE DECKER COACH

VRE COACH INTERIOR GIVES CONDUCTOR ACCESS TO BOTH LEVELS

VRE TRAINS ARE PUSH -PULL  VIA  CAB CARS AT ONE END

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION, ROANOKE,VA. NORFOLK & WESTERN  J CLASS 611.  RAIL PHOTOGRAPHER O WINSTON LINK MUSEUM.
 On Memorial Day, May 30th, 2016 I find myself in Roanoke Virginia, one of my favorite railroad towns.  Although this was my third visit to the "STAR CITY" I hadn't been there since the late 1980s and I was especially keen on visiting the O Winston Link Museum, located in the former N&W Passenger Station, which opened in 2004. Rail fans will recognize Link as a pioneering force in rail photography. Roanoke was a major base for the Norfolk and Western Railroad and today the train action is hot and heavy thanks to several major freight railroads plus Amtrak and the steam excursions that originate at the Virgina Museum Of Transportation.  With its great restaurants, hotels, and recreational areas such as The City Market, downtown Roanoke makes a great vacation destination, even for those who have no interest in trains.  Since I do have an interest in trains my daughter Jane Cheslo and myself, after a great breakfast at The City Market, headed first to the Virginia Museum Of Transportation.  The museum was established in 1986 and occupies about 58 acres including the former Norfolk & Western Freight Station. The museum boasts 7 steam locomotives, 4 electric locos, 18 diesel engines, 6 passenger cars, and more than a dozen freight cars, cabooses, and special use cars.  There are trucks, buses, fire fighting equipment, wagons, several dozen classic automobiles, several model train layouts, and an aviation display.  The crown jewel of the museum is Norfolk & Western J class steamer number 611.  The 4-8-4 streamlined steamer was built in 1950 at the N&W Roanoke shops and features 70 inch drivers that allow a top speed of 110 mph.  The loco was retired in 1959 and was saved from the scrapers torch by avid rail fans.  It has undergone several major restorations and has been used in excursion service since 1994. On our visit we watched 611 being steamed up and made ready for an excursion run on June 1st to Manassas Virginia.

The highlight of our visit to Roanoke VA was a visit to the 0 WINSTON LINK MUSEUM which opened its doors in 2004.  Located in the former N&W passenger station, it is a huge space which contains scores of Link's photographs plus a collection of the equipment Link used to take the photos as well as a reproduction of his darkroom.  O Winston Link was a Brooklyn born industrial and advertising photographer who's client list encompassed many of the major corporations of the 1950's.  Go on line and check out Link and his fabulous photographs.  From 1955 to 1960 Link, a longtime rail fan, devoted himself to photographing the final days of steam on the Norfolk & Western RR. A labor of love, he did so at his own expense often inventing special photographic equipment to accomplish the task.  Link is best known for pioneering nighttime flash photography using hundreds of carefully directed flash bulb clusters to make a scene photographed in the dark appear to have been shot in daylight.  A special computerized exhibit at the museum puts the visitor behind the camera.  It is awesome.  All the years I admired Link's art in train publications, I never really understood his technique until I visited the museum and viewed his equipment first hand.  His signed prints sell for five to ten thousand dollars today.  Link once explained that the sun is never where you want it to be to take a perfect photograph.  He invented his technique he quipped because, "I can't move the sun."  If any photographer deserved a World class museum devoted to their work it is certainly O Winston Link.

DOWNTOWN ROANOKE VIRGINIA

O WINSTON LINK MUSEUM, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

DAUGHTER JANE  CHESLO WITH N&W  J CLASS # 611 AT VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION.

LANSDALE MAIN DOWNTOWN STATION

JACK OF HEARTS HOBO,  JOHN AARON

SEPTA LANSDALE / DOYLESTOWN LINE GETS A NEW STATION.
November 29th, 2015.  On this Sunday after Thanksgiving, always a busy travel day, I decided to head to Lansdale, PA to see the new 9th Street station which opened on November 15th 2015.  It is the first brand new station SEPTA has opened in many years.  It is north of the downtown Lansdale station, a charming old structure right in the middle of town that alas offers no real parking.  The new 9th Street station has parking for a hundred or more vehicles. I boarded the PATCO train at the Lindenwold station and headed for the Jefferson (former 8th & Market, former Reading Terminal) station.  I left the house without breakfast intending to get my breakfast at the Gallery 8th and Market food court.  To my surprise and dismay the Gallery closed this past October for a two year long remodel. I hustled over to the Reading Terminal Farmers Market and got to see their Christmas train layout display, but, the lines were too long at all of the food vendors for me to get anything to eat.  I had to settle for a Subway tuna sandwich and some stale coffee on my way back to Jefferson Station.  At Jefferson I boarded the Lansdale / Doylestown  line (former R5 line) train to Lansdale.  I toured the new 9th Street Station and took some photos.  It is a long high rail platform type station with a comfortable waiting shelter.  Construction materials were all top quality.  Many SEPTA regional rail stations have been in service for more than a century and this newest addition should easily carry on that tradition.  When darkness fell lighting for the station and parking lot was top notch making this facility very safe. I boarded an inbound train to Center City Philadelphia along the former Reading Line and got off at former Pennsy 30th Street Station. Now being past supper time, every AMTRAK boarding gate had long lines of passengers trying to get home from their Thanksgiving holiday visits. AMTRAK police and their trusty security dogs were busy doing their due diligence keeping everyone safe. After a good dinner at the stations food court, I boarded the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line train back to Lindenwold, N.J. All and all, a most enjoyable trip.

WINSLOW TOWER.  WINSLOW JUNCTION, NEW JERSEY.  
On this sunny Sunday, August 30th, 2015, my 25 year old niece Jaime, who is becoming quite the rail fan, and I set out to explore WINSLOW JUNCTION which is located near  the intersection of Egg Harbor and Spring roads in Winslow N.J.  The multi tracked junction, active since the late 1800s, switched south bound trains from Philadelphia and Camden to various Jersey Seashore destinations such as Atlantic City, Ocean City, and Cape May. Passenger and freight trains from the Reading, Pennsylvania, and, New Jersey Central railroads all passed thru Winslow Junction including the famed Blue Comet. In July of 1922 around 11:30 pm the Owl hit an open switch at 90 mph killing 7 crewmen and passengers.  A historical marker at the junction claims it was the Midnight Flyer on a different date, but, the marker is incorrect. Since 1991 The Southern Railroad Of New Jersey, a private short line, has been in charge of Winslow Junction.  Jaime and I explored their roster of modern era equipment, but, the real treat was the large collection of vintage locomotives and rolling stock rusting away on the nearby storage tracks.  Several F type diesels, a center cab switcher, a number of heavy weight era passenger coaches, a northeastern style caboose, and a former Susquehanna Rail Diesel Coach (RDC).  To most folks they are just a bunch of scrap metal adorned with rust and peeling paint, but, to us rail fans they are history and fond memories. An over head bridge crosses over the junction carrying the former Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line tracks that are now the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line right of way.  On that upper level, where the tracks intersect, is the famed Winslow Interlocking Tower which controlled the rail traffic on all the various lines similar to a modern day air traffic control tower.  The tower crew directed the traffic, set the signals, and lined up the track switches by pulling on huge levers connected to underground pipes and cables attached to the switches.  The 1922 wreck previously mentioned was largely blamed on tower operator error. Winslow Tower was built in 1934 by the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines and was closed in 1982.  In today's computer age the junction is controlled by electronic wizards in comfortable offices many miles removed from the actual location.  The lower interior of the tower still houses electronic and communications equipment for New Jersey Transit and thankfully is still standing for us railfans to enjoy. FOUR PHOTOS FOLLOW:

WHY IS WINSLOW TOWER SOMETIMES UNDER GUARD?

YARD AT BAY HEAD

NEW YORK & LONG BRANCH RAILROAD. NEW JERSEY TRANSIT NORTH JERSEY COAST LINE.  BAY HEAD TO LONG BRANCH, N.J.
August 8th, 2015.  The NEW YORK &  LONG BRANCH RAILROAD began regular operation in the summer of 1875.  It stood unique among railroads because it owned no locomotives, passenger coaches, or, freight cars.  Instead it leased track use rights to the lucrative New Jersey Seashore market  to two long time rival railroads, the Pennsylvania and the Central Of  New Jersey who used much of the trackage simultaneously. The NEW YORK & LONG BRANCH RAILROAD was misnamed by the fact that it did not terminate at Long Branch N.J. but, went all the way past Point Pleasant to the  yards at Bay Head. Long Branch was where the railroad was headquartered. I have ridden the NY&LB rails since childhood when steam engines in charge of open window coaches belched soot and cinders upon the perspiring passengers. I make it a point to ride some section of the line a few times each year.  On Saturday, August 8th, 2015 I took my 25 year old niece Jaime on her first NY&LB ride (now New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line) from the yards at Bay Head to Long Branch. She was surprised by the circular turn around loop at Bay Head having thought that such tight curves only existed on model railroads. We enjoyed the scenery provided by all the major Jersey Shore towns such as Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove, Asbury Park, Elebron to name a few.  Most of the track is flanked by the ocean on the east side and various bays and inlets on the west side.  Often it is little more than the track right of way separating the waters. At Long Branch one would normally depart the diesel powered train and walk across the platform to board the waiting electric powered train to New York City, but, we opted to explore Long Branch a bit and had a terrific lunch at a Chinese restaurant that was so dirty even health inspectors fear to enter. Still, I enjoyed the best Chicken Curry I've had in years!  We took the train back to Bay Head and headed for the boardwalk at Sea Side Heights for an enjoyable evening.

JOHN & JAIME AT BAY HEAD

SWARTHMORE STATION

 SWARTHMORE COLLEGE, SWARTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Swarthmore College, located in the Pennsylvania town of the same name, is one institution my grandaughter has under consideration for her higher education. One of the attractions for her is a SEPTA Regional Rail Station located at one end of the campus which will allow her to take the train to her home, or, to downtown Philadelphia, or, to my home in Hi-Nella, New Jersey whenever she prefers not to stay on campus.  On a hot summer Saturday, July 25th, 2015, I decided to try the trip from my home.  I boarded the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line train at Lindenwold NJ and got off at Philadelphias's 3oth Street Station.  From there I boarded the SEPTA Media / Elwyn (former R-3) line to Swarthmore. The trip took about two hours with a half hour layover at 30th Street which allowed enough time for a pleasant lunch. On the way to Swarthmore I was treated to some interesting SEPTA stations including the ultra modern University City station on the University Of Pennsylvania campus and the quaint, turn of the century, structure at Morton, PA.  Swarthmore boasted a large old time stone station with former living quarters for the stationmaster, and  four faced, iron station clock.  The picturesque downtown was just a few steps away which the streets laid out on a triangle lined with mostly vintage English Tudor style buildings.  I spent some pleasant time just wandering about.  As for the College itself, the campus was too large and sprawling for an aging hobo to walk on an almost 90 degree afternoon, but, it posed no problems for the young college kids. My trip back home was about the same as the trip there except there was no layover at 30th Street Station so it consumed less time.  It was quite a pleasant day with lots of eye candy provided by the college girls in their summer outfits. I'm old, but, I'm not dead.

NORRISTOWN, PA  HIGH SPEED LINE.
 July 4th, 2015.  Close to a million people had poured into Philadelphia to enjoy the famous July fourth festivities known as " THE PARTY ON THE PARKWAY." I avoid the city on most holidays, but, having spent the last two months packing up to move to my new home, I was desperate for some action on the rails. I decided to leave late in the day and to stay underground while in Center City and surface in the suburbs.  So it was that at 4pm on Saturday, July 4th 2015 I departed Lindenwold NJ on the  PATCO High Speed Line to 8th and Market streets in Philadelphia, an underground station.  I then boarded the Market-Frankford El train that also ran bellow ground until around 50th Street in West Philadelphia where it turned into an elevated line all the way to its terminus at 69th Street.  I had intended to take the Norristown High Speed Line from 69th Street to Norristown, PA when I noticed a new short branch line had been added  which terminates at Bryn Mawr.  Of course, I decided to explore that. Also, most of the food places were closed at 69th Street due to the holiday and I was sure I could grab a late lunch at Bryn Mawr. Almost everything there was closed too.  I  wound up with a pre-made packaged tuna sandwich and a bottle of iced tea from a convenience store.  After "lunch" I retraced my route back to Lindenwold NJ arriving at about 8:30 pm.  I had a good train ride.  The trains were comfortably full, but, not crowded.  I dodged the holiday crowds.  Best of all, since I moved I now live only about 5 minutes from the Lindenwold station where most of my train trips begin and end.  Life is good.

FERN ROCK TRANSPORTATION CENTER, PHILADELPHIA.  FOX CHASE LINE.
 A nice spring Sunday, April 26th, 2015, with temperature about 65 degrees. Took the PATCO High Speed line from Lindenwold NJ to Eighth and Market streets, Philadelphia where I picked up the Market-Frankford EL line to 13th Street.  Form there took the Broad Street Subway north to the Fern Rock Transit Center. At Fern Rock I picked up SEPTA Regional Rails Fox Chase Line to 30th Street Station.  At 30th Street Station had a tasty lunch of ribs and chicken at the food court before taking the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line train back to Lindenwold, NJ.  Entire "rail ramble" took about five hours and got to ride five trains and covered a lot of miles.  A great trip!

 ICONIC WAYNE JUNCTION STATION ON THE SEPTA FOX CHASE LINE

BROAD STREET SUBWAY CARS AT FERN ROCK TRANSPORTATION CENTER

ATLANTIC CITY RAIL LINE.  NORRISTOWN, PA HIGH SPEED LINE.
Despite 30 degree weather, On January 12th, 2015, I took the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line from Lindenwold NJ to Philadelphia 30th Street Station.  Took the next train leaving which was the SEPTA Regional Rail Norristown Line which followed the frozen Sckukhill River thru Manyunk and Conchocken to the Norristown Transportation Center. Caught the Norristown High Speed Interburban Line (the old Pig & Whistle) to 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby PA passing over the great long trestle bridge at Bridgeport and thru Villanova University.  Had a pizza lunch and took the Market-Frankfort El train to 8th & Market station Philly and picked up the PATCO line back to Lindenwold.  Entire loop took about 5 hours and was without incident, but, the winter snowy scenery was great.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT ATLANTIC CITY RAIL LINE TRAIN ARRIVES AT PHILADELPHIA  30th  STREET

NORRISTOWN / BRIDGEPORT  PA TRESTLE WITH "LIBERTY LINER" CIRCA 1972

METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN LINE.  NEW CANAAN, CONN.
 First trip of New Year 1/3/2015.  I took AMTRAK regional rail train number 164 from Trenton Transportation Center to Stamford Conn. Met a thirtyish female cellist who was nearly seven feet tall! Passed over the Hell Gate Bridge built in 1916.  The bridge spans the Easy River between Queens and Bronx, New York. Hell Gate Bridge is 3.2 miles long and its name comes from the Dutch word Hellegat which loosely translates as Clear Opening.  In 1928 Lionel Train Company introduced item number 300, a tin model of the immortal bridge .Saw station at New Rochelle NY from the train.  New Rochelle was the TV home of Rob and Laura Petrie on the Dick Van Dyke show.  Stamford was a nice modern station with nice facilities and very busy even on a Saturday.  I would dread being there at commuter time.  It had started to snow as I boarded the Metro North "New Haven Line" train for the twenty minute ride to New Canaan CT, one of the wealthiest communities in the U.S.  In New Canaan it was a winter wonderland with the snow coming down heavy and the plows hard at work.  Got to tour the old station building inside and out and saw what I could of the town, but, I opted to catch the next train out rather than chance getting stuck there due to the snow. The architecture in New Canaan is fantastic with quaint old estates intermixed with some of the most futuristic modern dwellings I have ever observed.  This due to a group of 5 architects known as "The Harvard Five" who came there in the late 40's and built about 100 such homes well into the early 60s.  Their ring leader, Phillip Johnson actually built himself a glass house to live in in 1949 which is now operated by the city for public tours. I took the Metro North express train from New Canaan to Grand central Terminal in Manhattan which was still decorated for Christmas.  A young Oriental couple was having their wedding in the main concourse and the bride was stunning with her long jet black hair accented against a plain white satin gown.  Had dinner at the world famous Oyster Bar and caught the Times Square Shuttle subway to Pennsylvania Station where I caught the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor train back to Trenton NJ  It was a great trip!!

HELL GATE BRIDGE BUILT 1916 SPANS THE EAST RIVER AND IS OVER 3 MILES LONG.  LIONEL # 300 ?

NEW ROCHELLE, NY STATION GAINED FAME ON THE  MID 1960s DICK VAN DYKE  TV SHOW.

AMTRAK AT STAMFORD, CONN.

NEW CANAAN  CT STATION BUILT 1868

METRO NORTH TRAIN AT NEW CANAAN CONN.

PHILLIP JOHNSON'S GLASS HOUSE BUILT IN 1949, NEW CANAAN, CONN.

WILMINGTON AND WESTERN RAILROAD, HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE.

IN 10/19/2014 I VISITED WILMINGTON & WESTERN RAILROAD IN DELAWARE AND RODE 1914 PULLMAN COMBINE #410 OVER ENTIRE LINE, GREENBANK STATION TO HOCKESSIN, DELAWARE,  ROUND TRIP WAS WITH 4-4-0  STEAMER #98 IN CHARGE.  THE JACK OF HEARTS HAS VISITED THE WILMINGTON & WESTERN RAILROAD OVER 35 TIMES.  ONE OF THE BEST TOURIST RAILROADS IN THE UNITED STATES.  DON'T MISS IT.

CROSSING ASHLAND BRIDGE ON THE WILMINGTON & WESTERN RR.  DELAWARE

WILMINGTON & WESTERN RAILROAD'S GREENBANK STATION.

PULLMAN COACH 581 BUILT IN 1914. RAILROADERS CALL THIS A "BOONTON" STYLE COACH.

BALDWIN BUILT THIS 0-6-0 SWITCHER IN 1929. WILMINGTON & WESTERN NUMBER 38

WILMINGTON & WESTERN 4-4-0 NUMBER 98 BUILT BY ALCO IN 1909.

BRILL / PULLMAN GAS ELECTRIC BUILT IN 1929 STILL OPERATES ON THE WILMINGTON & WESTERN RR.

SW-1 DIESEL SWITCHER WILMINGTON & WESTERN NUMBER 8408 WAS BUILT IN 1940

LINDENWOLD, NJ.  TRENTON, NJ.  MARKET EAST AND JEFFERSON STATION, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
10/5/2014  RAIL RAMBLE. TOOK PATCO LINE FROM LINDENWOLD NJ TO MARKET STREET EAST STATION IN PHILADELPHIA AND DISCOVERED THAT  THE NAME OF THE STATION HAD BEEN CHANGED TO JEFFERSON STATION AS JEFFERSON HOSPITAL HAD BOUGHT THE NAMING RIGHTS.  TOOK THE SEPTA TRENTON LINE TO TRENTON NJ TRANSIT CENTER. GREAT CAB RIDE.  DID A LOT OF TRAIN WATCHING AT TRENTON AND GOT TO SEE THE CRESCENT ON IT'S WAY TO NEW ORLEANS AND REMINISCED ABOUT MY TRIP ON THAT TRAIN LAST SUMMER.  BOUGHT A YOUNG MARINE A LUNCH AS A THANK YOU FOR HIS SERVICE.  TOOK NEW JERSEY TRANSIT RIVER LINE FROM TRENTON TO CAMDEN NJ BROADWAY STATION. HUNG OUT WITH A COLLEGE GIRL FROM STOCKTON AND A GUY WHO WAS ALREADY ON THE PLATFORM PLAYING GUITAR. I SANG A BIT OF BLUES WITH HIM BACKING ME UP AND GOT SOME COMPLIMENTS FROM THE CROWD GATHERING TO AWAIT THE TRAIN.  TOOK PATCO LINE BACK TO LINDENWOLD STATION.  ENTIRE TRIP TOOK ABOUT SIX HOURS. GREAT TRIP!!!

SEPTA R7 AT TRENTON NJ STATION

NORRISTOWN HIGH SPEED LINE, NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.
ON 9/13/14 I RODE THE NORRISTOWN HIGH SPEED LINE ROUTE 100 FROM 69TH STREET TERMINAL TO NORRISTOWN TRANSPORTATION CENTER ROUND TRIP. ALSO VISITED THE UNION LEAGUE HERITAGE CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA.

NORRISTOWN TRANSPORTATION CENTER

THE UNION LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA PA

WHIPPANY RAILROAD MUSEUM, WHIPPANY, NEW JERSEY.
ON 9/7/14  I TOURED THE WHIPPANY RAILROAD MUSEUM IN WHIPPANY NJ AND RODE THE "BLUE COMET" CLUB CAR ON THEIR 45 MINUTE RAIL EXCURSION.  ALSO VISITED THE MORRISTOWN & ERIE RAILROAD, A WORKING SHORT LINE, AND VIEWED MANY OF THEIR PRIVATE RAIL CARS AVAILABLE FOR CHARTER. MADE A SIDE TRIP TO ZARAPATH NJ, A DEFUNCT RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY.

JACK OF HEARTS VISITS WHIPPANY RAILROAD MUSEUM

OBSERVATION CAR JERSEY COAST AT WHIPPANY RAILROAD MUSEUM

WHIPPANY RAILROAD MUSEUM STEAMER 385

RAIL BUS BUILT BY WHITE IN 1917

BABBLING BROOK, ONE OF SEVERAL PRIVATE CARS HEADQUARTERED AT WHIPPANY RAILROAD.

BROAD STREET SUBWAY.  BROAD - RIDGE SPUR. PHILADELPHIA, PA.
ON 9/2/14 I  RODE THE ENTIRE PHILADELPHIA BROAD STREET SUBWAY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE BROAD-RIDGE SPUR.

BROAD STREET SUBWAY, CITY HALL STATION, PHILADELPHIA

BELVIDERE & DELAWARE RIVER RAILROAD, PHILLIPSBURG, NEW JERSEY.
ON 8/30/14 I VISITED THE  BELVIDERE & DELAWARE RIVER RAILROAD. PHILLIPSBURG NJ. "THE BEL-DEL LINE."  STEAM EXCURSION. ALSO VISITED EASTON, PA.

JACK OF HEARTS (John Aaron) AT PHILLIPSBURG NJ

NORFOLK & SOUTHERN FREIGHT AT PHILLIPSBURG, NJ

WHITE HOUSE STATION, NEW JERSEY.
ON 8/30/14 I VISITED WHITE HOUSE STATION, NJ.  VISITED WHITE HOUSE RAILROAD STATION ON NJ TRANSIT RARITAN VALLEY LINE.

WHITEHOUSE NEW JERSEY STATION

SEPTA WARMINSTER LINE. WARMINSTER, PENNSYLVANIA.
ON 8/29/14 I TOOK SEPTA WARMINSTER LINE FROM WARMINSTER PA TO FERN ROCK TRANSPORTATION CENTER.  ROUND TRIP.

WARMINSTER PA STATION

NEW HOPE AND IVYLAND RAILROAD STATION, LAHASKA, PENNSYLVANIA.
ON 8/29/14 I VISITED AND PHOTOGRAPHED LAHASKA PA STATION OF THE NEW HOPE AND IVYLAND RAILROAD.  Directions:  From Philadelphia take Route 95 North.  Go left on exit for Street Road.  Pass Parx Casino on right. Street Road becomes West Street Road Route 132. Cross Roosevelt Blvd Route One, cross Busselton Pike, cross Second Street pike 232, pass route 332 Warminster. Make next major Right on York Road Route 263.  Pass Bristol Pike. Pass junction of Route 202, 413, 263 Butler Pike. Pass Holicong Road.  Right on Street Road. (Has a traffic light and Plough Inn on corner.)  About 3/4 mile cross Upper Mountain Road.  In about 1/4 mile will hit railroad tracks.  Lahaska Station on right.

NUMBER 40 ARRIVES AT LAHASKA PA

PINE CREEK RAILROAD.  ALLAIRE STATE PARK, NEW JERSEY.
ON 8/16/14 I VISITED PINE CREEK RAILROAD, AKA NEW JERSEY MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION, AT ALLAIRE STATE PARK NJ. ALSO VISITED ALLAIRE IRON FORGE VILLAGE.  See 4 photos below:

SEPTA FOX CHASE LINE, FOX CHASE, PA TO PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN STATION.
ON 8/8/14  I TOOK FOX CHASE SEPTA LINE FROM FOX CHASE PA TO SUBURBAN STATION PHILADELPHIA.  ROUND TRIP.

SEPTA SILVER LINER AT FOX CHASE STATION

8/3/14  VISITED BLACK RIVER AND WESTERN RAILROAD AT RINGOES NJ. STEAM LOCO BROKE DOWN, RAN SW15 DIESEL. ALSO VISITED BR&W STATION AT FLEMINGTON NJ AND TOURED TOWN.

SW-15 DIESEL AT BLACK RIVER & WESTERN  FLEMINGTON NJ STATION.

TRENTON NEW JERSEY TRANSPORTATION CENTER.
ON 7/26/14 I RAILFANED AT TRENTON TRAIN STATION WITH GRANDSON, JONATHAN CHESLO.

REMODELED TRENTON TRAIN STATION

ELLICOTT CITY, MD.  BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD STATION.
ON 7/10/14 I RAILFANED  ELLICOTT CITY MD INCLUDING OLDEST RAILROAD STATION IN U.S. WITH DAUGHTER, JANE CHESLO.  TOURED TOWN AND HAD OUTSTANDING FRENCH RESTAURANT MEAL!  Meal cost $200.00 but worth it.

ELLICOTT CITY MD IS OLDEST RAILROAD STATION IN THE U.S.

BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD MUSEUM, BALTIMORE, MD.
ON 7/10/14 I VISITED B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM IN BALTIMORE MD WITH DAUGHTER, JANE CHESLO.

B&0 RAILROAD MUSEUM AND ROUNDHOUSE

BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD MUSEUM INTERIOR.

SUBURBAN STATION, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA AND LOVE PARK.
ON 7/6/14 I RAILFANED SUBURBAN STATION PHILADELPHIA, PA. ALSO VISITED LOVE PARK.

PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN STATION

MEDIA PENNSYLVANIA TROLLEY TRIP.
ON 6/28/14 I TOOK SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL LINE FROM 8TH & MARKET TO MEDIA, PA. I TOOK SEPTA 101 TROLLEY TO 69TH STREET TERMINAL. TOOK FRANKFORD EL BACK TO 8TH & MARKET.

101 TROLLEY STREET RUNNING IN MEDIA PA

VINTAGE MEDIA TROLLEY ROUTE 101

 LONG ISLAND SOUND, GREENPORT LONG ISLAND, COAST GUARD MUSEUM, NEW LONDON, CONN.
 ON 6/14/14 I TOOK NJ TRANSIT NE CORRIDOR LINE FROM TRENTON TO NEW YORK PENN STATION. TOOK LONG ISLAND RAILROAD TRAIN TO GREENPORT LONG ISLAND NY. TOURED TOWN AND LIRR STATION MUSEUM. TOOK BUS TO LONG ISLAND CROSS SOUND FERRY. TOOK FERRY TO NEW LONDON CONN. TOURED NEW LONDON AMTRAK STATION AND SEAPORT MUSEUM.  TOOK NORTH SHORE LINE RAILROAD TO NEW HAVEN CT.  TOOK NEW HAVEN RR TRAIN TO GRAND CENTRAL STATION NYC.  TOOK CAB TO PENN STATION. TOOK NJ TRANSIT NE CORRIDOR TRAIN BACK TO TRENTON NJ.  Cost of entire trip including all food was 112.82. SEE 4 PHOTOS BELOW:

GREENPORT LONG ISLAND NY RAILROAD STATION

JACK OF HEARTS AT GREENPORT LI WATERFRONT

CROSSING LONG ISLAND SOUND.  GREENPORT LI TO NEW LONDON  CT.

NEW LONDON CONN. AMTRAK STATION AND COAST GUARD MUSEUM

THE SOUTHERN CRESCENT TO ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA.
ON 5/24/14 I TOOK THE SOUTHERN CRESCENT TO ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA.  TOOK SOUTHERN CRESCENT AMTRAK TRAIN FROM TRENTON TO ALEXANDRIA VA IN A ROOMETTE SLEEPING CAR. TOURED ALEXANDRIA AND HAD CRAB DINNER. TOOK AMTRAK REGIONAL TRAIN BACK TO TRENTON. Total trip cost including food 342.30.  SEE 4 PHOTOS BELLOW:

THE SOUTHERN CRESCENT LEAVES TRENTON NJ

MY SLEEPING CAR

MY COMFY SLEEPING BERTH

UNION STATION, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

TROLLEY FROM 69th STREET TERMINAL TO SHARON HILL, PENNSYLVANIA.
ON 5/10/14 I TOOK SHARON HILL PA ROUND TRIP ON ROUTE 102 TROLLEY FROM 69TH STREET TERMINAL.  SEE 3 PHOTOS BELOW:

69TH STREET TERMINAL, UPPER DARBY PA

ROUTE 102 TROLLEY AT SHARON HILL STATION

VINTAGE ROUTE 102 TROLLEY AT SHARON HILL, PA

AMTRAK NATIONAL TRAIN DAY AT 30th STREET STATION, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.  On 5/10/14 I  ATTENDED AMTRAK NATIONAL TRAIN DAY AT 30TH STREET STATION PHILADELPHIA. TOURED A LOT OF EQUIPMENT INCLUDING VINTAGE PRR ITEMS AND PRIVATE CARS.

PRR E8 #5809 BUILT 1950

BUSINESS CAR PENNSYLVANIA BUILT 1928 PRR

THE DINKY, PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J. TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.
ON 5/3/14  I TOOK "THE DINKY" FROM PRINCETON JUNCTION TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ROUND TRIP.

PRINCETON BRANCH is a commuter rail line and service owned and operated byNew Jersey Transit (NJT) in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The line is a short branch of the Northeast Corridor Line, running from Princeton Junction northwest to Princeton with no intermediate stops. Also known as the Dinky Line, or the Princeton Junction and Back (PJ&B), the branch is served by special shuttle trains. At 2.9 mi (4.7 km) it is the shortest scheduled commuter rail line in the United States. The run takes 4 minutes, 47 seconds.

The Great Dinky Robbery was an incident on May 3, 1963, in which four men boarded the Dinky and abducted four passengers. At the time, Princeton was an all-male school and the Dinky was the primary means of transportation for women coming to the campus. On a Friday evening, four Princeton University students, riding horses in Western attire, ambushed the train as it was arriving at Princeton station. A convertible was parked across the track, forcing the Dinky to come to an abrupt halt. The men, including George Bunn Jr., who was armed with a pistol loaded with blanks, boarded the train and persuaded four female passengers to leave with them. The Dinky later resumed its trip and arrived at Princeton Station. Although the University administrators were aware of the event and may have known who was involved, they took no official action.

DINKY STATION AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

SEPTA WEST TRENTON LINE TO PHILADELPHIA 30th STREET STATION. 
On 4/19/14 I  TOOK SEPTA WEST TRENTON LINE FROM EWING NJ TO 3OTH STREET STATION PHILADELPHIA AND BACK  ROUND TRIP.

SILVERLINER IV AT WEST TRENTON NJ

HOT SHOT FREIGHT BLASTS THRU WEST TRENTON NJ

CHESTNUT HILL EAST AND CHESTNUT HILL WEST LINES TO CHESTNUT HILL, PENNSYLVANIA.
ON 4/5/14 I  TOOK SEPTA CHESTNUT HILL EAST LINE FROM 8TH & MARKET TO CHESTNUT HILL PA.  TOOK CHESTNUT HILL WEST SEPTA LINE BACK TO MARKET EAST STATION.

SEPTA CHESTNUT HILL EAST STATION, PA

SEPTA CHESTNUT HILL WEST STATION

AEM-7 AT CHESTNUT HILL WEST STATION

THERE ARE MORE RAIL JOURNEYS ON OTHER PAGES OF THIS BLOG.  CLICK OLDER POSTS AT BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG.    ENJOY THEM ALL, JOHN AARON