Lackawanna Freight 1958

Take a trip back to 1958! Ride along with engineer Geo Sprague, his son Leroy, and engineer Fred Bennett as they climb aboard Lackawanna Fp7 engine 633 and an ABBA consist in Elmira NY hauling freight to Scranton Yard in PA. This video is one of the longest and gives the most detail of the Lackawanna mainline of this series. You'll cross Nicholson bridge and ride through Factoryville tunnel on the way to Scranton Yards. You'll pass several freight trains and the Phoebe Snow on her way to Buffalo. Enjoy!

[@davidbarnett9312]

Thanks. I was around 15 when this was shot, and it brings back memories of all the old lines that have either gone out of business or have been absorbed into super railroads. Also, it's quite nostalgic to see that private property was respected in those days, as in no graffiti marring the rolling stock.

[@ginosrailpage]

What an incredible video! The ROW was immaculate!

[@NS9213]

Now THAT'S railroading!

[@charleskesner1302]

Enjoyed the ride. Thanks

[@yankinga]

John, great film. Thanks for sharng it with all of us. One quibble. That's the Factoryville (AKA Nicholson) Tunnel. I don't know of any Roseland Tunnel. There was a Roseville Tunnel in NJ, on the eastern portion of the Lackawanna Cutoff.

[@jlebaron1]

Thanks for the correction, can't remember why I put that! I was thinking Roseville but as you said, it's in NJ! Glad you enjoyed it and I"ll add your correction to the description!

[@stripervince1]

I was a conductor 20 yrs ago for cp and worked this line from Binghamton to buffalo, saratoga Harrisburg and allentown. brought back some memories. tunk viaduct wasn't as nice looking as it was there and only single track now. I'm guessing the operator tower with the beautiful old blue car was hop bottom? wow classic. also was that a small yard at Clarks summit? great video

[@saintangerinc]

9:41 FactoryVille Tunnel and tower.

[@vonmazur1]

I noticed that as well, but unlike you, I did not know it was wheel slip...Very observant of you to post that information...

[@choirboyfromhell1]

First Rate.

[@am74343]

I love the old Nash at 8:25!! LOL!! Beautiful film, by the way. I'm from Upstate, NY, and I have never actually seen the old Lackawanna Cutoff in person, but I'm glad NJ and PA are working to reuse it as a passenger line again. There are so many perfect ROW's still out there unused, and it's a shame that more of them aren't being rebuilt for passenger service, in order to alleviate the choking traffic on our nation's roads.

[@Gunsnclapton4]

Wow. I work at Bridge 60 tower. I could never picture what used to be until I saw this.

[@scoobycarr5558]

Of course you know Norfolk Southern's got the Lackawanna heritage unit, but it's still not the same like it used to be once upon a time when the Lackawanna actually ran trains. For some true rail buffs and rail employees, they kind of wished the Lackawanna was still around as a proud independent railroad.

[@jlebaron1]

@intercityrailpal I think you're right, at one point in the film one of the b units has been replaced with what looks like a trainmaster.

[@redbarnz]

Well done. Thanks for sharing!

[@northeasternrailfanningpro5854]

Do you know the location of 8:23

[@tomok8283]

WOW! AWESOME VIDEO! UH,OR SHOULD I SAY MOVIE.OF MY FAVORITE RAILROAD!

[@inboundnewt]

great video, especially at 7:37. One of the dl&w's "gray ghosts"

[@gunsaway1]

Great. Enjoyed

[@cbalducc]

How much of this line is still in use? God bless.

[@scoobycarr5558]

The Binghampton to Scranton portion of the main that includes the impressive Tunkhannock and Martins Creek bridges is still in use by Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific, while the route from Scranton to Delaware Water Gap over the scenic Poconos is in use by shortline operator Delaware Lackawanna. As far as I know, the cutoff line is gone but much of the DL&W's "old line" is still in use.

[@fredstuckmann]

Very nice film, thank you.

[@moonspots01]

Historic Stuff!