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  • Berkshire Scenic Rlwy

    This page is dedicated to John Hebert, one of the founders of the Berkshire Scenic,an Air National Guard colleague of mine and a charter member of our Northeast Lazy Daze RV Caravan Group.

    The Berkshire Scenic Railway and Museum is located at Lenox, MA. For a number of years the railroad offered rides between Lenox and Stockbridge, but in 2012, the host railroad, the Housatonic Railroad, decided to NOT renew its operating agreement which allowed the passenger runs.

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    Back at a happier time, in June of 2004, we visited the Berkshire Scenic when trains were still running. Here is SW8 #8619 approaching the Lenox station.

    13 Jun 2004

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    Slowing to a stop at Lenox.

    13 Jun 2004

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    #8619 has stopped the train along the platform and is about uncouple to run-around the train in preparation for the next run.

    13 Jun 2004

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    Here #8619 has backed around the passenger cars and is coming back up to the station to couple back onto the train.

    13 Jun 2004

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    Here she is about to couple onto the train.

    13 Jun 2004

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    The Berkshire Scenic Railway is also the owner of ex-MEC Alco S1 #954.

    13 Jun 2004

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    S1 #954

    Built by Alco #73085 in 1945

    13 Jun 2004

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    Back in Aug 1990, #954 spent some time down at Westover Air Reserve Base, where she provided rides to and from parking lots during New England's largest-ever air show. She even sported a 439 Military Airlift Wing decal on her nose.

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    ex-New Haven caboose #C-591.

    26 May 2009

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    The interior of ex-New Haven caboose #C-591 at Lenox.

    13 Jun 2004

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    The inside of a caboose was pretty spartan, yet functional.

    13 Jun 2004

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    GE 50-ton locomotive #67.

    ex-United Illuminating

    Blt 3/57, #32855

    13 Jun 2004

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    GE 50-ton locomotive #67.

    ex-United Illuminating

    Blt 3/57, #32855

    13 Jun 2004

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    Returning to the Berkshire Scenic in 2009, I found ex-MEC #954 starting to look a little shabby again.

    26 May 2009

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    In the five years since my last visit, the railroad has added several locomotives to its roster. First in line is ex-Conrail SW #9128.

    26 May 2009

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    A little better view of the power line-up:

    ex-CR #9128, ex-MEC #954, ex-NYC ex-CR #8619 and ex-United Illuminating #67.

    26 May 2009

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    The line-up from the other end.

    26 May 2009

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    ex-CR #9128

    26 May 2009

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    ex-NYC ex-CR #8619

    26 May 2009

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    ex-Birmingham Southern #151, built by Alco in Sept 1950, #78251.

    26 May 2009

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    The railroad has amassed quite a passenger car fleet. It's a shame they've lost their right to operate over the Housatonic RR between Lenox and Stockbridge. They're hoping to begin operations in 2014 between Adams and North Adams.

    26 May 2009