Nostalgia & History > LA&L Engine 38 with Friend, October 1970

Northbound train, southbound dog, with Livonia, Avon and Lakeville engine 38 at Livonia, N.Y. October 1970.

Art House

---

Great historic photo. Few would know this was a real freight pulled by steam in 1970!
Bob

Great shot Art.  Did LA&L use steam on freight regularly in 1970 or was it just filling in for a diesel?  Also, do you know when they stopped running to Livonia?
Steve B.
(former western NY resident)

The train was a photo freight made up for a private photoshoot for LA&L publicity purposes. My friend Dick Allen and I were invited to do the photography, so the freight was basically run for our use.  We rode it (in the caboose) to Avon and back, but I don't recall that any actual revenue freight was handled in either direction.  The baggage wagon with its parcel and mailbag was set up as a prop for the photography.  We stuffed the old mailbag with newspapers, and engaged a passerby to pose as the "agent" shown in the photo.

I don't have a date for when the line between Conesus Lake junction and Livonia was abandoned, but if I recall correctly, it had something to do with the creation of a new road bridge or highway alignment just north of Livonia.

Art House



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/20 09:27 by aehouse.

Thanks for the info Art.  If my memory is correct from 45 years ago I think Dick Allen was also a D&H employee like yourself.  Engineer?

stevelv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the info Art.  If my memory is correct
> from 45 years ago I think Dick Allen was also a
> D&H employee like yourself.  Engineer?

Dick was a trainman and conductor on the D&H.  He remains a great friend today.

Art

So, was that a revenue dog or just a prop?

Neat shot Art.

The Livonia Station building still exists, conveniently located on Livonia Station street.

aehouse Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The train was a photo freight made up for a
> private photoshoot for LA&L publicity purposes. My
> friend Dick Allen and I were invited to do the
> photography, so the freight was basically run for
> our use.  We rode it (in the caboose) to Avon and
> back, but I don't recall that any actual revenue
> freight was handled in either direction.  The
> baggage wagon with its parcel and mailbag was set
> up as a prop for the photography.  We stuffed the
> old mailbag with newspapers, and engaged a
> passerby to pose as the "agent" shown in the
> photo.
>
> I don't have a date for when the line between
> Conesus Lake junction and Livonia was abandoned,
> but if I recall correctly, it had something to do
> with the creation of a new road bridge or highway
> alignment just north of Livonia.
>
> Art House

1981. They didn't have any freight business in Livonia by then.

Posted from Android