(rshsdepot) Susquehanna Transfer

[<ksilvestri_@_nac.net>]

Hi List,

I just read (and enjoyed) Robert Mohowski's book on the Susquehanna. I
grew up in Paterson on Van Blarcom Street until I was twelve in 1958 with
my bedroom facing the Lyon Street crossing of the Susquehanna. I now
realize that my childhood hanging around the tracks was probably the
heyday of passenger service on the line and unfortunately in 1957/58 a
cultural/economic transition taking place that would alter and interupt
that way of life. I always wondered why I didn't see the RDCs much, but
after reading Mohowski's book, I now know that they weren't serviced in
North Hawthone as I thought. I remember how sad I was when they
discontinued the flagman who stayed in a small shack with a pot belly
stove at the Lyon Street crossing. I spent many a day hanging and
"helping" him stop traffic when trains came. The new automatic gates kept
me awake for weeks, as I stared from my window at frieght and early
morning passanger trains.

I am curious if anyone knows as to how many passengers during that time
were commuting to Paterson rather than Jersey city or the Transfer? Also
does anyone have any information on how much patronage the River Street
Station had?? It is all in my sub-conscious back drop of my childhood, but
I can tell you that I spent hours along  those double tracks as they
merged into the single track heading west. I remmember the eyes and faces
of people passing by and many a kind railroad worker taking time to say
hi.

Thanks,

Ken Silvestri


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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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