Eng 2180 at Radford, 1954

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The link given below leads to a photo (apparently) now held in the Rahway
NJ NRHS collection.  The caption location says "Radford."

It has been a half-Century since I worked the jobs at Radford, so I will
have to take a guess at this one.  Guess:  The photo was taken in the curve
between Plum Creek and East Radford, looking westwardly, and the engine is
likely a Walton Pusher engine headed back to Radford to be turned in after
a day's work on the Mountain.

The bridge in the background will be the key to determining location.  I
think that is the bridge over to the railroad's tie treating plant, on what
was then called "the island."

Did I get that part right?  If so, I walked across that bridge one day 60
years ago, to go over to "the island" and do some pistol target practice.
I recall that the north abutment of the bridge was modern concrete work and
had a date of somewhere around 1950 (+/- a year or two) cast into it... if
my memory is correct.  The tie plant was all gone by that time and brush
was beginning to choke the area.  (But the Clean Out Hole at Payne was the
best place for target practice... It featured living, moving targets:  rats
! )


https://nrhs.com/gallery-item/rahway-valley-railroad-kenilworth-new-jersey-class-2-8-0-15-consolidation-steam-locomotive-may-17-1953-r-l-liong-photograph-west-jersey-chapter-nrhs-collection-2/

While we are talking Radford things, can anyone tell me about a part of the
Yard/Round House area at East Radford which was referred to as "The Meadow"
?  I recall Yardmaster Deyerle talking about tracks "over in the Meadow,"
but I never understood what that term really meant.  (Chalk that up to
being new and young, and reluctant to expose my ignorance by asking a
supervisor for an explanation...)

Be Well, Drive Safely !

-- abram burnett
Ever Eat a Turnip Sam'mich ?
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