Large Scale Central

New York & New England Ghost Train

Prototypes
#1

Hello all!

I’ve had an idea in my head for a while now to re-create the famous Ghost Train of the NY&NE from the 1890s. But, I havent been able to find a ton of information on it. Several articles online basically repeat what’s in this one:

https://blogs.lib.uconn.edu/archives/2022/10/27/the-famous-ghost-train-of-the-new-york-and-new-england-railroad/

Here’s a few shots I’ve found of the train.
images

king1893nyc-pg139-new-york-new-england-rairoad-the-white-train-between-JYM9CB
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images (1)

I know the NY&NE became part of the NYNH&H, so maybe the historical group would have information on it?

I think, for this project, I’ll buy some cheap LGB pullman cars off ebay or like and re-finish them. I’m not sure what color/s to use for the roof (which seems to be a darker color than the white car body in most shots). No thoughts on the engine yet, but maybe I’ll just use my mini-mogul for that (which will become Eastern Railroad’s #10 ‘Boston’). Technically wrong era, as mine is a wood-fired engine, but oh well. I plan to 3D print a crew for this engine, where they are all wearing white uniforms, too.

If anyone has thoughts or helpful details, please let me know! Historical car road numbers and specific types would be helpful, for sure.

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#2

Very neat to learn about this train! That article said the train was heated by steam from the engine, never heard of that before. Do HEP cables carry steam? Just kidding :grin:

I’m going to watch the Amazing Stories “Ghost Train” episode tonight…it is on You tube

Do you know what that building is in the third photo of your post? I’m guessing it is a station, but it is really something.

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#3

Hi John, very cool research project, have a blast!

From LOC, this ship apparently made connection to a port where your RR went, and exchanged passengers. It would be a nice addition to one’s layout, assuming the layout was a couple acres big, haha!

This page has an article with a bit of history on your RR, titled “What New England Has Done.”

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#4

I’m not clicking on any links that are just gonna scare me! The last Ghost to scare me was from Carolina and his last name was Pepper. It was about 5 yrs ago and I thought I was dying that day!
I’m getting too old to get scared like that anymore!

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#5

It is labeled at Middletown Station in a caption below the photo on a website, so, I assume Middletown, CT, Jim. Seems like its been gone a while.

#6

Hey! Look at that… The Ghost Train was pulled by a mogul. A different build, I suppose, but, so be it. What a nice coincidence…

Two_Early_Moguls_Nov_4_1915_The_Journal
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from the Meridan Daily Journal Nov 4 1915

#7

Nice research …I have been down those paths before… :rofl:

#8

Ohh, this is nothing, Rooster! I’ve been working a lot on railroad history of my hometown (which ended in 1980, but passenger service stopped long before that). Because I’m from such a small town, I have to find bits and pieces then find a way to string them together to get anything worthwhile. Its an interesting project.

#9

John,

I totally understand !!

#10

Some evenings I spend hours on Newspapers dot com, I can relate!

#11

If you feel so inclined John, another resource for you might be area universities, and their special collections. Discovering their relevant resources can take a lot of time (web searching and emails), but sometimes one can hit the jackpot in documents not yet made public on the web.

My efforts along those lines involve institutions on the other coast. But thanks to amazing librarians, a lot has been scanned and brought to light in my subject area (Sutro Tunnel) that hadn’t before. You, however, would be able to actually go to their reading rooms and see things for yourself, once you sense some applicable holdings.