Comments on: NYC NY4 was always identifiable by the stock cars at the head end. Here, GP30 2193 is leading 3 GE U25B’s as the train rounds the curve under the wooden farm bridge at Clanbrassil on the old Michigan Central.

By: Dave Burroughs

Dave Burroughs — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 17:12:20 +0000

Ron, thanks for the insightful comments.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 16:22:44 +0000

Clinton, the Conductor would have been back in the van or caboose. When this photo was taken, there would have been an engineer & head end brakeman in the loco cab, and a conductor & tail end brakeman in the caboose. There might even have been a fireman in the loco too, they were a holdover from steam days and disappeared through attrition as the were promoted to engineer by seniority.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 16:19:41 +0000

I am astonished whenever I see photos like this ..that the CASO is almost entirely gone now. In this particular photo you will notice the head end brakeman inspecting the train, holding his cap so as not to lose it. That’s the way I was taught to railroad too, frequent train inspection on curves from front & rear of the train. Another great photo Dave, thanks for recording it for posterity.

By: mercer

mercer — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 13:57:55 +0000

Thanks, now I have a better idea where you took these. Between the Grand River and a few miles east of Hagersville, there were some ‘S’ curves and such, plus the gradient was all downhill to the east.

By: Dave Burroughs

Dave Burroughs — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 00:00:04 +0000

Stephen, you always took your pics from the up-wind side of the train.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 23:57:52 +0000

Haha – so what did you do after taking the shot? walk away to avoid the small or??

By: Dave Burroughs

Dave Burroughs — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 23:55:22 +0000

Bruce,
Yes, it was Reg who put me onto this place. That was definitely a farm bridge. I drove my car through the fields to get to it. Only did that a couple of times then I walked in.
As you say, NY4 definitely was aromatic.

By: mercer

mercer — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 21:28:17 +0000

Dave, I’m just browsing these Clanbrasil shots, really nice thanks !! I know Reg spent a lot of time here. But this wooden bridge, its just a farm lane ??? Or is it the first north/south county road west of the river??

To answer a previous inquiry – the stock cars would be hogs or beef. Usually there would be 1 car of hogs for Kowalski that got setoff in Niagara Falls NY. NY4 was a pleasant smelling movement…

By: Peter Newman

Peter Newman — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 03:46:13 +0000

Fantastic!!

By: Clinton Durand

Clinton Durand — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 03:52:54 +0000

Why does it seem that the NYC conductors always have a checkered hat?