Xtra West Engine 2786 The Extra is passing a human Crossing watchman. The interchange with the PRR in background, and the Paris Broom Factory water tower in far background. I think this is an L-2 engine vs an H-10. NYC diagram book shows it as built in 1926. - LAB - Lawrence Baggerly Collection.
Must have been a busy crossing. That shack is larger than what we have seen many times in older photos.
Roger, that one sure brings back old memories, with a human crossing watchman. When did they get eliminated? All the techie info I have would verify that 2786 is an L-2. Love the Elesco feedwater heater tank on her "brow."
I think the crossing watchman lasted until the middle 60s in my part of the country. When I first started firing two engineers were talking about the L-1 and the L-2a and the one was telling about the side rod coming off on the L-1 when used on sharp curves. He said this had happened 3 times to him. I have to think this was true but I never heard anyone else talk about the side rods coming off. Maybe someone has an answer. LEW
