JOHN CARMODY STOPS TRAIN, ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK

Copyright(c) 2002 by Margaret Logan-Behrns

http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm
********************************************************

SOURCE: BUFFALO EVENING NEWS -VOL.XXXIV.NO.145 - September 27, 1897 
KODACK STOPS A TRAIN 
Never Before, Probably, Has a Train Been "Held Up" under Such Circumstances 

The fond hopes of many Towandians who would like to see this city made a regular stopping point
for the famous Black Diamond Express trains were realized to a certain extent on Monday
afternoon, when the eastbound flyer stopped at East Towands, says the Review. It isn't every
amateur photographer, either, who can get these speedy trains to stop, have have their "pictur'
took". On the afternoon in question a Towandian who takes a great interest in mechanical
engineering and incidentally in bicycling and amateur photography went to the East Towanda
crossing to get a snap shot of train No. 10.  He had perched himself on the little shanty
beside the track and leveled his instrument when Watchman John Carmody, who is stationed at
that point day times, asked to figure in the picture. Permission was granted, and the old
gentleman took his position beside the track, flag in hand. On came the flyer, with Engineer
Pixley at the throttle, who, as he came to the East Towanda station, saw the red flag in the
watchman's hand, and with visions of piled-up frieights before him shut off steam and applied
the air brakes with vigor.  About this time the amateur photographer and the watchman realized
what they had done, and with wild gestures explained the situation, and the train sped on. Now.
the question is, whom is the joke on, the engineer, the photographer or the watchman?
____________