Homecoming by Train Engine

For several years, I rode the E-L from New Jersey to Chicago, usually riding on the famous Phoebe Snow. The highlight of these trips was, on June 6, 1963, when I got to ride in the engine of the Phoebe Snow as it went from Scranton to Broad Street, Newark. Waiting for me at the station were my parents. They were very surprised to see me in the engine.

Since I was aboard the train from Chicago to Newark, I left it up to the railroad which stretch to ride in the engine. They could not have chosen better. By coming into the E-L's commuter territory, we met all major types of oncoming equipment:

Long-Distance
passenger train

Diesel commuter
passenger train

Electric commuter
passenger train

Diesel freight
train

Click on any of these to see larger versions.

How it came about

While in New Jersey at Christmas in 1962, I had seen some letters to the editor of the Newark Evening News complaining of service on the Erie-Lackawanna. I had just experienced a delightful trip on the E-L from Chicago to Newark. Upon returning to Kansas after Christmas, I experienced yet another. I therefore wrote a letter to the editor of the Newark News suggesting that people should ride the E-L before criticizing it. The letter came to the attention of the upper echelon at the E-L and I got a nice letter from an Assistant to the President, saying how my letter had boosted morale among employees. The letter went on to offer to be of service anytime I wanted. Having always wanted to ride in an engine, this became my ticket for the ride in the engine. I was told to identify myself to the conductor as we approached Scranton. He then escorted me from the passenger car and introduced me to a Vice President of the railroad, who, in turn, led me to the engine for my grand arrival in Newark.

If you share my interest in the Erie-Lackawanna, e-mail me at: don@shorock.com

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