Rochester Junction

I was scanning some slides today, thought I would share these views of Rochester Junction.

The first comes from Richard Pearson, 1966:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/254 ... 3778_o.jpg

The next three come from Vernon Smith, taken around October or November 1971.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/254 ... cfe4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/254 ... e758_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/254 ... bfde_o.jpg

Enjoy!

-otto-

Excellent photos! You can even see the semaphore in one of them. Thanks for sharing!

Would have made a perfect house for a railfan with a little renovation.

Okay, with a LOT of renovation. Still, the structure looked sound, with a slate roof.

Nice stuff, Otto. Thanks for sharing!

Otto:

You received some misinformation about the Rochester Junction station fire.

There was a fire at the station on Easter Sunday, 22 April 1973. This was extinquished for the most part. However, the fire reignited on Monday, 23 April and the station then burned to the ground. I took photos of the destruction on Tuesday, 24 April 1973. Smoke was still rising from the station remains.

Very sad end to a very unique building. Speculation among LV fans at the time dealt with how much historic papers and records had been destroyed by the fire.

TBD, you're absolutely correct. Either these slides are mislabeled, or the ol' brain is crossing wires again (probably a bit of both). Thank you for the correct dates.

-otto-

Otto:

You are welcome. After the fire the LVRR B&B built a small shed with a lineside telephone in it to replace the facilities that the station had provided.

BTW: The section shed and the passenger waiting platform overheads survived the fire and stood until the early 1980s when they were demolished.