Thanks to the recent comments from Mike Woodruff (see below), this unmarked photo has now been identified as a photo taken at the "Operation Changeover" (or "End of Steam Ceremony") when steam locos gave way to diesels. With the two steam engines in the background, the new Long Island RS3 built by Alco in August-Sept of 1955 looks sharp and clean and ready to take over the duties from the steam locos, LIRR 35 & 39. Engines 35 and 39 each pulled a single coach to the station with local Boy Scouts on board. Upon arriving, the coaches were uncoupled from the two steam engines, and each coupled to an Alco RS3 diesel locomotive. 35 and 39 were then coupled nose to nose, and ran west to the shops at Morris Park. 35 would run one more fantrip the following week. John Krause photo |