MODERATORS NOTE:
A closer look - Edaville 1947 has been converted from the pre-July 2008 WW&F Discussion Forum.
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Stephen Hussar wrote:Same pic as before from Stewart's collection, but a re-cropped and enhanced larger scan.
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"Give me enough Swedes and whiskey and I'll build a railroad to Hell."
- James J. Hill
Mike Fox replied:Here I go again, kicking myself for not making a trip to Edaville back in the early 90's when I had a chance. But these pictures help show me what it was like.
Mike
James Patten replied:Put copious amounts of grass in between the ties and you'll have what Edaville was like in the 90s.
Ira Schreiber replied:That grass that you refer to at Edaville is the same type used in the Western Great Plains. It is called "gauge grass" for it is the only thing holding the rails.
Ira Schreiber replied:I just got a new (1947) copy of Linwood Moody's book, "Edaville Railroad".
What a wonderful book with great pictures including the one posted by Stewart Rhine.
The book is fascinating,but why is the WW&F omitted? I know, Mr. Moody would have to answer that question. The other two footers rosters are present, but not WW&F.
James Patten replied:Maybe because Moody considered the WW&F to be a "brazen hussey"?
ETSRRCo replied:Looks like just another day on the B&H!! The fourth car back. Is that B&SR #17. I love that car and it brings a tear to my eye when I think about it being burned by vandals. It had beautiful lines. I cant tell if it is the #17 or SR&RL #21. Anyone know for sure. I know that the first coach is the #3!
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Eric Bolton
East Tigard & Southern Railroad Co 1889-1958
Ira Schreiber replied:Interesting point, but WW&F used no brass, so it couldn't be brazen.
It just seems to be a glaring oversight.
Stephen Hussar replied:Don't know if this helps, but it's as large as I can make this before it turns "chunky." Not sure if Stewart or Cindy can scan at higher dpi, but we might get even more out of this...
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"Give me enough Swedes and whiskey and I'll build a railroad to Hell."
- James J. Hill
ETSRRCo replied:Yeah its the #17. I can see the upper stained windows.
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Eric Bolton
East Tigard & Southern Railroad Co 1889-1958
Stewart Rhine replied:Eric, See the original post of the photo for my list of the consist with builder's dates etc. In a nut shell - the consist is B&SR 30, W&Q 3, B&SR 16, B&SR 17 and the Rangeley. I agree that the Elthea was a beautiful car and it's a shame that it burned. I wish I could have seen it and ridden in it but I never made it to Edaville.
Steve Klare replied:That's terrible about Elthea being burned, I never realized that was the car that was vandalized. How much was left?
This has always been a notable car for me because when I see the B&SR in stills or movies, I've always been able to pick it out because of those distinctive windows.
Wasn't Linwood Moody very briefly an employee of the WW&F?
James Patten replied:If you believe his story, yes he was. For about 1 day.
sgprailfan replied:What do you mean by that?
Stewart Rhine replied:Steve, The Elthea burned all the way down to the floor. The trucks, brake rigging and end platforms were taken to Phillips about 10 years ago. The trucks are now under the SRRR's in-service coach. The steel end platforms are stored behind the round house.
I think that coach was the most beautiful of the two foot Laconia cars. It was very attractive with the stained glass panels above the lift wondows.
Mike Fox replied:Stewart,
This must have been one of Moody's favorite spots to take photos. I saw one at the Bridgton Histotical Society the same angle only a different consist.
Mike
Bruce Wilson replied:In Ira's posting, "Edaville at Age 0", I identified the location of the Moody photo as being just prior to "Peacedale" at "Tanglefoot Curve".
Please accept my apologies for that error, I believe the location is actually at a point near the original one mile marker (one mile from the current day Edaville station platform, on the original Atwood loop).
Today, this section is intact, but not in service.
The last train to operate on it was a special, operated by Fred Richardson in 2006 for friends and family of deceased signal maintainer David Barnes.
Note the unballasted ties in the foreground of the photo. And, did anyone notice that there doesn't seem to be any passengers on board?
I imagine this was a "photographers special" with just a handful of riders who de-trained to take photos for publicity purposes.
In later years (1970's and 80's), certain engineers would make a run out to this spot early in the morning, before the park opened, and just with the locomotive. The good, hard Cranberry Valley grade would allow the engineers to work the accumulated soot from the tubes before coupling on to a train later on in the day. When the flange lubricator was installed just beyond the yard limit, these trips pretty much came to an end as the grease buildup was too much for an engine to keep its footing when pulling a train.
pockets replied:Does anyone know any more about that three door car, behind the engine? I really like that one.
Greg B.
