(Beach Family)
The "John" was built at the Fall Brook shops in 1881.Tentatively identified as railroad personnel are, from left, Engineer L.B. Manning (in the cab); possibly brakeman William Satterly; unknown; Manley T. Inscho, Erie freight and passenger agent at Corning; R. H. Caulfield, civil engineer; G. R. Brown, General Superintendent; Daniel Beach, vice president and General Counsel; Mrs. G. R. Brown and her daughter.
“Little John” Historic for its Early Railroad Days,
to Become “Hot Dog” Stand
___
“The Little John,” the first official car ever used to any extent by officers of the Fall Brook Railroad, the father of the Pennsylvania Division of the New York Central, for tours of inspection nearly 50 years ago, is no longer int a position where it draws admiration wherever it goes.
For soon the car that once boredom of the most prominent officials and guests of railroad officials in this part of the country, will bear letters telling the world that within, “hot dogs, ice cream and pop may be scared.”
The once famous car, if it could talk, would probably be able to tell tales of the early history and romance connected with the Fall Brook Railroad, whose officials carried proudly about state for 20 years.
The car recently named into the possession of Percy A. Payne, of Painted Post, who purchase it from Emil Stasch. It had previously been used for many years as a lunch wagon on Erie avenue near Pine street.
Mr. Payne has removed it to a place along the Addison Road near Gang Mills where it is soon to become a wayside stand for dispensing food for man and fuel his steed, the railroad’s greatest competitor - the automobile.
As hundreds of Pennsylvania Railroad employees, old time officials who have been promoted to high positions in the service, and pensioners returning to Corning for the annual Fall Brook Association banquet, vivid memories were recalled to many by the mention of the “Little John.”
John W. Lynahan, who according twosome of the oldest officials, knows most of the early history of the “Little John,” was interviewed by an Evening Leader reporter. Mr. Lynahan, one of the road’s early telegraph operators, long since pensioned from service and one of the most popular and oldest of the New York Central employees, gave the reporter a splendid account of the life story of the “Little John.”
The historic “Little John,” as Mr. Lynahan recalls, came into existence in the early ‘80s but even before it had made its appearance upon the horizon, it had been preceded by a little brother, a tiny steam driven car that was used by officials in making inspections of the road.
According to Mr. Lynahan this first car, which was the official car of A. H. Gorton, superintendent of the Fall Brook Railway and father of Dr. W. E. Gorton, was nothing more than a “glorified hand-car” with barely room enough in front of the engineer for three persons.
It served its purposed for a time, however, but there was general thanksgiving among officials who traveled the road when this vehicle that nowadays would seem a tiny toy, was replaced by what then seemed a palatial yacht, soon dubbed the “Little John” or to be more explicit “The Little John Magee.”
This name was conferred upon the car in honor of John Magee.the son of George Magee who was then president of the Fall Brook Railway.
The “Little John” is described by Mr. Lynahan as being between 25 and 30 feet long with an observation compartment forward where officials and visitors could have a clear and unobstructed full view of the track ahead and surrounding country.
There was plenty of room in this compartment for eight or nine people to be comfortably seated in the chairs that were carried as standard equipment. At the rear of the car was the steam engine and back of it was a trailer for carrying fuel.
The “Little John,” capable making 50 miles per hour was the pride of the railroad. In addition to being used for special trips of inspection by high officials, it also later came to be used by the Division Pay Master in the traveling pay car system that prevailed until a few years ago when the check system was adopted for paying employees. John H. Lange, of 131 East First street, now retired, and C. K. Minor were among the early paymasters.
In addition to the officials, the car carried a crew of three men including an engineer, fireman and conductor or flagman. Among the first if not actually the first engineer to ever man the throttle on the car was Tilford Patchill, now retired, and living near Cortland. Lewis Manning was his fireman.
The car was used until the Fall Brook Railroad passed into the hands of the New York Central on May 1, 1899 and the sturdy little vehicle continued serve its new masters until about 1904 or 5 when it was removed from service.
Among other members of the early crews of the “Jawn” were John Krebs, engineer, now deceased, and Engineer M. D. Robinson, dead, and Conductor Fred Clark, now living near Norristown, Pa. The latter two continued to operate the car after the New York Central took over the road.
One of the New York Central’s standard system cars replaced the Little John when it was finally taken from service. This first car, although it had good seating accommodations, was not created for living purposes and of course did not possess the comforts offered by the special car of the present superintendent, Donald V. Sommerville, which carries all the necessities and some of the luxuries of home.
When the members of the “Little John” touring parties wished to eat they stopped at a hotel. Except in extremely warm weather, when those the observation platform felt the heat of the steam apparatus, the “Little John” is said to have been most comfortable.
After being retired from service, the car was removed to the western end of the city where the cab was sold and finally became a “hash house” that passed from proprietor to proprietor and finally ended upon Erie avenue where it furnish hamburg sandwiches and “cups of cawfee” until a short time ago. None of the old timers seem to know what became of the steam apparatus but it is believed that the internal and life giving organs of this sturdy old steed that served so well went to grace some railroad junk pile.
Elmira Advertiser
April 4, 1883
The Corning correspondent of the Elmira Advertiser gives the following description: Engine "John," the private conveyance of General George J. Magee over his railways is such an admirable piece of machinery that a short description may prove interesting.
On the exterior it appears like a short passenger car, resting on low trucks, and in color and striping is equal to the finest drawing-room cars. It is propelled by a single pair of forty-two inch driving wheels, which are situated about under the center, having two pistons. It cannot stop at a dead point.
Under the passenger compartment is a truck having paper wheels. The other end rests on a single pair of paper wheels, weighing fourteen tons and having excellent spring adjustment.
The side motion is less than that of a passenger car at the same speed, and its capability of maintaining the rail is amply guaranteed by its weight and peculiar construction.
It is capable of fifty-five miles an hour. The forward compartment is richly furnished and can accommodate ten passengers comfortably.
A system of steam pipes radiates the requisite heat in the winter. The upper parts of the doors are plate glass and may be swung open, while the lower part remains shut. This is a particularly enjoyable feature of a summer ride.
The other compartment contains the machinery, and has ample accommodations for the engineer and fireman. A bell connected with a cord passing through the forward compartment, give the engineer notice to stop, start, etc. Sufficient coal and water space is provided for long runs.
A great many conveyances have been designed for the purpose for which this is used; but in none of them, we venture to say, have the necessary conditions been so perfectly observed. Here is a machine uniting the qualities of absolute safety with a high speed, and at the same time costing but the minimum for repairs, fuel, etc.
It was built at the company's shops in this place, from designs furnished by A. H. Gorton, general superintendent, assisted by O. C. Patchel, master mechanic. Mr. Gorton may be proud of his success in engine "John."He has been identified with the railways of the Fall Brook coal company almost since their inception and has demonstrated his fitness for the position in everything which he was called to perform. (Watkins Democrat)
