Shark Warning in Brownsville

It is Sept. 21, 1968, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where ex-New York Central No. 1213 is on the point of an A-B-A set of Baldwin Sharks owned by the Monongahela Railroad. 

Photograph by Robert Farkas

It’s Lonely in a Scrapyard

It is most likely 1970 in Warren. I believe this is the Luntz scrapyard. We were given permission to photograph the about-to-be-scrapped locomotives.

Just a few months earlier, I had seen Monongahela Baldwin shark No. 1210 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, at the Monongahela engine facility. Now it was time to say goodbye.

There was scrap everywhere. With its front doors open the 1210 looks ready to fight to save itself from the scrappers.

Also on the property was Santa Fe 2240, a Baldwin VO-1000, awaiting the cutting torch’s fiery kiss. Also visible are the remains of another Baldwin.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Doomed Switchers Two for Tuesday

It is April or May 1977 in Canton. Shown are two former Penn Central Baldwin DS44-1000 switchers that were en route to Stainless Processing Company in Chicago but for whatever reason were set out in Canton.

Both images are from a box of seconds that I put into a box in 2015. Let’s see what 2023 photo editing software can do for them.

This dreary day was the first time I would see them. I was able to come back on a sunny day to photograph them. In a few weeks, they were gone. I was told they were sent to scrap in the Canton area possibly at the Eslich Company. 

Article and Photographs by Robert Farkas

One Day in Brownsville

It is late 1968 or 1969 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where John Woodworth and I found Monongahela No. 1210, a Baldwin RF16A, sitting in the sun. Unfortunately, I could not get all of the next unit in the frame as well since this was Monongahela No. 3708, the railroad’s only Baldwin RF16B unit.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

EL Monday: Still Show Erie Markings

Mike Ondecker and I found Erie Lackawanna 617, a Baldwin Locomotive Works S-12) in the Brier Hill engine facility in Girard on Oct. 1, 1972. It was still wearing its Erie Railroad livery. But note the unit behind it is in EL colors and markings.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Baldwin Shark in Brownsville

It’s most likely September or October 1968 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where recently purchased Baldwin RF-16A No. 1209 sits in the Monongahela Railway facility. The 1209 was built for the New York Central in December 1951 and initially had roster number 3809.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

A Shark That Didn’t Survive

It’s late 1968 or early 1969 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. The Monongahela Railway has purchased Baldwin Sharks from the New York Central. Some would go on and be lettered for the Monongahela while the rest would ultimately be used for parts. Two units (Monongahela 1205 and Monongahela 1216) would even escape the scrapper. Here No. 1207 sits between two Baldwin switchers, its fate is already sealed. It would not be one of the survivors.  

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

Ex-Monongahela Baldwin Back in Service

A former Monongahela Railway Baldwin S12 has been returned to revenue service by a New Jersey short line railroad.

SMS Railroad overhauled former Monongahela No. 415, which was built in 1953 and later worked for Erie Mining in Minnesota.

The unit has been in southern New Jersey since 2005, Railfan and Railroad magazine reported on its website.

The former No. 415, now known as SMS Lines 304, is expected to be in service in the Pureland Industrial Park located near the New Jersey Turnpike.

In the Heart of Monongahela Country

We’re traveling today to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Monongahela Railway country. On display are Baldwin S12 switchers 401 and 424. The two units were built two years apart in November 1952 and June 1954 respectively. The date of the photograph is July 1, 1972.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

First Glimpse of the Monongahela

John Woodworth and I first saw the Monongahela Railway and its treasures on Oct. 21, 1968. Here is a photo of the MRY engine facility in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Visible are four Monongahela Baldwin switchers, four ex-New York Central RF16A Sharks, and one ex-New York Central RF16B Shark. Thankfully, two of these NYC 1205 and NYC 1216 (after several owners) still exist in protected storage in Michigan.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas