Examining the Harold Jenkins collection. Part I

[downeastrailfan]

I recieved the photos from Samuel over the weekend, and I must say, I am VERY impressed with the collection, both in it's coverage and the quality of the images. I'm sure we will be examining them for many years to come. It was money well spent!

One image in particular caught my interest. It is labelled "DAR - Kentville Roundhouse with SW1200s - Harold Jenkins Photo - 12June1960." According to Ness V. I p. 18, SW1200RS units replaced the S-3's in 1959. This photo proves a discrepancy in that date. Both of the S-3's are in the left most stalls, and five SW's are present. The cab end of one S-3 is clearly visible, while the other unit can be identified by the full length handrail along the frame. The SW's did not receive frame mounted handrails for several more years after 1960.

One could assume that Mr. Jenkins got the date wrong. I doubt it, having seen how he stored negatives in envelopes, with data typed on them, such as locations, dates, camera equipment, photographers (if someone else), etc.

So, now that we know the S-3's were not immediately reassigned with the arrival of the SW1200RS units. The question is when did this happen? Also, is it possible that there were mismatched pairs working together?

[Paul Charland]

My first memory of the DAR was going between Halifax and Kingston on the bus in 1970, we would have taken the RDC but the Valley had just been through a hurricane and a lot of track was under water. When we passed the yard in Kentville I clearly remember seeing what turned out to be an S-3 lettered DOMINION ATLANTIC.

I've been told I'm mistaken by an "expert" in Maritime railroading, but then the same "expert" didn't know the Dayliners went right into the station in Halifax, he got into an argument with someone else, saying passengers had to get off at Windsor Junction and take a CN train into Halifax.

Paul

[SamuelMClark]

Interesting find Matt, also to let you know I've got some negatives labelled 6561 & 6560 in Windsor of 1959 plus the earliest I have seen for any SW1200 has been April/May of 1959. So there does seems to be some cross over of them being on the DAR at the same time. I'd go with Harold Jenkins dates as they seems to be well document for dates.

I'm not surprised Paul, I've heard someone else state that too that the RDCs didn't go into Halifax. Plus you'd think peoples stories of traveling on the Dayliner going into Halifax for the day shopping then taking it back home, and the photos of DAR/CPR RDCs in Halifax would be proof!