I lived right down the road from there in Northfield when I was a kid, and a train might come by once every three months or so. It was always a special occasion for us kids, we would run down to the tracks and wave as hard as we could, and receive a blown air horn in response.
I always enjoy watching your railroad videos when I find them on RUclips. Very educational and filled with wonderful photos of things which no longer exist. As a big fan of the 3 branch lines which once served my hometown of Allentown, PA (all 3 are long gone now), I especially like the pictures you show of smaller diesel engines servicing what was left of the lines you talk about during the 1970s and 1980s. I'm building a mostly freelanced HO scale model railroad in my basement which will (once finished) include 3 branch lines (two operated by early Conrail and one by the D&H). I've chosen early fall of 1976 for the era which I'm modeling which is why I truly enjoy the photos you include from the 70s and 80s. Looking forward to finding more of your railroad-related videos in the months/years ahead. Thanks for sharing all that you've posted thus far!
The 1127 was unique among B&M SW1 switchers in that it was equipped with MU in order to assist with tonnage (if conditions warranted) on the local freights from Concord. At Tilton, if there were cars to be brought over to Franklin Falls, the SW1 would be uncoupled from the other engine and venture down the line to Franklin Falls. Following the line's official closure but prior to its actual removal, the right-of-way being partially used for a sewer line project, the B&M stored a number of boxcars. This was around 1975. The story is told of the day Gerry Babyok and Scott Whitney were railfanning up thattaway in Gerry's '56 Willys Truck and the fuel pump failed. They were in Tilton and the nearest auto parts store was in Franklin, so they took the right-of-way of the F&T. It was summer, and the brush had grown in pretty well alongside the row of 40 boxcars which, at the time, still had roofwalks. Rather than fight through the brush, Gerry and Scott just walked the roofs of the cars, jumping from end-to-end with the fuel pump in its box. Scott has pics of the box cars somewhere, and Gerry actually had a chance to ride over to Franklin Falls in 1971. He has pics from that adventure. Nice job. If you ever want to do a spotlight on the Hill Crossing Freight Cutoff, let me know. JAR
I lived right down the road from there in Northfield when I was a kid, and a train might come by once every three months or so. It was always a special occasion for us kids, we would run down to the tracks and wave as hard as we could, and receive a blown air horn in response.
I always enjoy watching your railroad videos when I find them on RUclips. Very educational and filled with wonderful photos of things which no longer exist. As a big fan of the 3 branch lines which once served my hometown of Allentown, PA (all 3 are long gone now), I especially like the pictures you show of smaller diesel engines servicing what was left of the lines you talk about during the 1970s and 1980s. I'm building a mostly freelanced HO scale model railroad in my basement which will (once finished) include 3 branch lines (two operated by early Conrail and one by the D&H). I've chosen early fall of 1976 for the era which I'm modeling which is why I truly enjoy the photos you include from the 70s and 80s. Looking forward to finding more of your railroad-related videos in the months/years ahead. Thanks for sharing all that you've posted thus far!
Thanks so much for the feedback and kind words! So glad you are enjoying, lots to come.
Fabulous video Rick
- Stephen Demboske
Great video,love them all.
We live in Franklin Falls and love the history of the city and town thank you so much for this video exclamation point
I used to ride 1127 in the Concord yard in the early 60's, along with 1129 and others. The yard switcher was my father's last job before retirement.
Home. Emotional stuff.
Great video! GREAT CONTENT!
You are a awesome historian 👍 and very passionate and we are lucky to have you to keep the Boston man alive. Do you model as well?
The 1127 was unique among B&M SW1 switchers in that it was equipped with MU in order to assist with tonnage (if conditions warranted) on the local freights from Concord. At Tilton, if there were cars to be brought over to Franklin Falls, the SW1 would be uncoupled from the other engine and venture down the line to Franklin Falls. Following the line's official closure but prior to its actual removal, the right-of-way being partially used for a sewer line project, the B&M stored a number of boxcars. This was around 1975. The story is told of the day Gerry Babyok and Scott Whitney were railfanning up thattaway in Gerry's '56 Willys Truck and the fuel pump failed. They were in Tilton and the nearest auto parts store was in Franklin, so they took the right-of-way of the F&T. It was summer, and the brush had grown in pretty well alongside the row of 40 boxcars which, at the time, still had roofwalks. Rather than fight through the brush, Gerry and Scott just walked the roofs of the cars, jumping from end-to-end with the fuel pump in its box. Scott has pics of the box cars somewhere, and Gerry actually had a chance to ride over to Franklin Falls in 1971. He has pics from that adventure.
Nice job. If you ever want to do a spotlight on the Hill Crossing Freight Cutoff, let me know.
JAR
Can you do one on Littleton NH?
Great presentation. That's my VW van in the Brent Michiels photo near the end!
Do one on D2 WESTERN ROUTE AROUND NEWMARKET / PORTSMOUTH NH