I recently acquired this photo from a shop that sells all kinds of things. I asked the owner of the place about it and he had no idea what the context was - so naturally I had to buy it. It measures roughly 9" x 6 1/2" and has many cracks throughout the entire photograph. I've shown it around and no one has a clue as to who these men are. Many curious people scratching their heads now. I did remove it from the frame and there is nothing there to hint towards its origin. What I noticed/found interesting: 1. The engine is in front of a Beauty Shop - Pharmacy which pointed me to the street where I see no tracks. So this looks to be some sort of parade prop. Plus the size of it adds to that tilt. 2. The lettering on the train leads to Pompton Lakes - it happens that I live in New Jersey and there is a town named Pompton Lakes near me - which makes me wonder if it's a matter specific to the region. Additionally you can make out a few letters behind the men "hock" to the left and "ps" to the right. 3. The most curious aspect is the 4 men (3 next to and one driving the locomotive) wearing white coveralls with skulls and crossbones on them. 4. Why is one of them hold what looks like a pine 4x4 piece of wood? 5. Their hats/caps - a legion of some type? Any help would help me stop obsessing over this and get everyone I've shown it to - to stop asking me if I learned anything. Thank you for your time. If you view this please comment with any thoughts you have. IMG_5248 by UnclePete posted Jan 16, 2019 at 8:50 PM -Pete
Pete, the clothing of the two men in suits implies fashions of the 1920's or '30's because they are wearing vests with button-down shirt collars. Vests went out of popular fashion during WW-II. However before 1920, the popular male business attire had stiff cellulose collars. Button down collars evolved during the depression shortly before the WW-II era and still are popular today. However the Skull and Crossbones insignia on plain white coveralls with chevron hats implies association with a society of ultra-conservative culture, such as the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK did have a large exposure throughout New Jersey, and other mid-Atlantic states during the 1920's and '30's. Employees of the railroad industry were extremely conservative. So it would not be surprising to find them associated with ultra-conservative societies such as the KKK.
I thought along the lines of some hate group but then I figured that they wouldn't show their faces. What do you make of the train markings? Where we see "hock" on one side and "ps" on the other. I agree that it's some type of parade prop. These gentlemen look serious and confident.
I was thinking something similar. Despite those symbols on their uniforms, I seriously doubt this is any nefarious organization. That was more likely done as being something whimsical.
I had that thought as well - but the KKK had a specific insignia and hid their identities. The caps they are wearing have a military flavor or a legion of sorts. The photo is a mystery. When I get a chance I'll make an appointment with the Pompton Lakes Historical Society and pay them a visit. I figure that I could get an answer immediately or they would naturally want to help with some of the legwork to identify and explain the photo. Why the train? What could the letters possibly spell out behind the one gentleman? (I, as well as others, have come up with SHOCK TROOPS and SHOCK CORPS.) However none of those terms return any relevant search results. The men have a certain look about them - high degree of confidence with a bit of smugness and elitism. I wish there were a way to get more eyes on this photo. I saw the train with one of the white coverall men in it and immediately thought it was railroad related. Perhaps there are other avenues I should pursue to get the answers. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate the advice. -Pete
I noticed, after looking at a larger version, there are no rails under the "locomotive". Looks to be a possible parade unit maybe? Just my observation. May not be worth anything!
The Susquehanna's main shop was at North Hawthorne, NJ at the time (and was moved to Little Ferry, NJ in the late 1950s). As far as I know, neither shop had a name associated with them. I think Keith is right about this being a parade locomotive. I've seen a number of them in period photographs from the northeast region, some built by the railroads and some by fraternal organizations. Happily, roads like CN carry on.
Nice! I've seen that one in person. Cute little bugger. One thing's for sure, even though it looks like one, that ain't no Comfort Cab!