And now for something completely different: For today’s offering I thought I’d take a little break from the weekly posts featuring Jack Delano images.

In 1980 Carstens Publications produced the book titled Susquehanna – New York, Susquehanna & Western RR. Shown here is the cover for that book, a beautiful photograph by the late Hal Carstens. I always loved this cover shot, and thought I’d investigate it a bit more. The book explains the scene inside the cover, and also has another shot taken on a different day, along with a bit more of the story.

It’s May of 1956 and the NYS&W (known locally as the Suzie Q) was running this short passenger train headed up by an Alco RS1 locomotive. The train has paused at the Crystal Lake depot in New Jersey, having come from Butler. The road’s fleet had formerly been painted in an elegant gray and maroon, but eventually adapted this austere silver scheme with black lettering and handrails. The combine is an ex-Erie Stillwell type painted to match their new Budd cars.

Crystal Lake was a resort area, and the building seen to the right of the station was the Crystal Lake Inn. It accommodated picnickers and bathers who would ride the Susquehanna from Patterson. Crystal Lake was man made, and it disappeared during the mid 1950s when the dam containing it finally collapsed. The station itself survived until the mid 1960s.

There are several interesting details in the scene, including the coal bin next to the depot, and the wig-wag grade crossing signals. Of note is Carsten’s automobile, a Studebaker Commander wearing the old Susquehanna colors, which the book says he wished he still owned.

White River Productions acquired the assets of Carstens Publications several years ago. I’ve noted that they are still offering this book for sale.

-Jack