When I was a kid, this was one of my favorite shots of my dad’s. Taken in Kenova WV in 1952, I believe it is of a K1 pushing some sort of work train car. Any additional information that can be added would be great appreciated.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=236159&nseq=2
Charles Freericks
Thats pretty cool
…It will take a railroader to ID that machine…It even has a smoke stack on it. Along it’s side appears to be something that maybe could work with the ROW material…??
It has a “coupler” on it’s front…and seems well braced in it’s construcion…Weird.
Look at the track elevation {side to side}, like there was some hi speed running thru there.
On into the group of photos…Really like the shot taken from inside the Empire Builder looking out at a commuter train at the station…Must have been almost a fish-eye lens.
I suspect that the machine is something akin to a Jordan Spreader, but probably home-built.
Quentin, that was the N&W–not necessarily high-speed but definitely heavy-duty. Just behind the photographer was a long, high trestle over the Ohio River, so I don’t think the speed was all that high here. And below the station and trestle was the C&O’s main line–probably every bit as well-maintained as this one (that’s why it was a Union Station–it served both railroads).
It is my understanding that The Cardinal still goes through Kenova three times a week, but does not stop there.
Looks like a Jordan spreader, or the first cousin thereof. Not all of them had the plow on the front, as I recall.
…al:
A bit of trivia…For years the Cardinal traveled right thru Muncie here on the now abandoned C&O route…It is our 30 plus miles of smooth pavement Trail now. Cardinal Greenway Trail. It is being extended as time and money allow. It will go to Richmond, In. south…and up towards Marion. It is a great Trail and brings in bikers and walkers from all directions. Beautiful restored C&O depot here in Muncie too. Now our Trail Head…and small museum…It is staffed. Parts of it are complete south and north of us that eventually will be connected. Plans are to connect it to a national east / west trail across the country.
Flanger with wings (correct to all about being a precursor to a Jordan Spreader, made by the same outfit in Jordan, MI)…instead of a cab at the front and the nose wedge plow dropping down, all the action and the weight is between the trucks.
Charles,
Another interesting photo from days long past. Again, many thanks for sharing these!
Thanks for the comments, and the GREAT information!
Thanks for correcting me. I had thought the paved-over path was ex-Monon. - a. s.
Al, that’s a valid statement (three times a week in each direction), no correction necessary. The closest stop to Kenova is Ashland, Kentucky; Huntington, West Virginia, might also work.