When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1934 Narrow Gauge Railroad Winter Train Wreck Boston MA Glass Negatives 2 OOAK
Pair of two (2) original antique gelatin silver glass plate camera negatives captured in 1934 by Boston Herald-Traveler staff photographer Leslie Jones, documenting a major winter derailment on the electrified Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railroad (BRB&L).
Known throughout New England as "The Narrow Gauge," the BRB&L operated an iconic 3-foot narrow-gauge line connecting East Boston ferry slips through Revere, Beachmont, and Winthrop to Lynn. Electrified with overhead catenary lines in 1928, the road fought fierce winter nor'easters along the Massachusetts coast until its abandonment in 1940.
The Original Morgue Sleeve Inscription:
Accompanied by the original vintage kraft newspaper darkroom filing envelope bearing the newsroom hand notation:
Historical & Visual Content:
Plate 1 — High-Angle Right-of-Way View: An elevated perspective looking down the snow-swept mainline during an active winter storm. A multi-car train of electric passenger cars has jackknifed across the tracks beneath overhead catenary wiring, with trainmen working in heavy snowbanks alongside trackside semaphore signals and neighborhood homes.
Plate 2 — Structural Underframe & Truck Damage: A dramatic ground-level study framed beneath an overhead structural steel footbridge/gantry. The derailed coach body is violently pitched onto its side, exposing the sheared bolster, shattered wooden framing, and snow-packed electric trucks, with railroad crewmen standing alongside the upright trailing car.
Rare Rail Transit History: Outstanding historical visual records showing the unique narrow-gauge electric rolling stock, overhead wire systems, and winter operating struggles of one of America's most famous lost railroads.
Specifications:
Format: Pair of two (2) antique silver gelatin glass plate original camera negatives.
Dimensions: Standard 4 x 5 inches per plate.
Archive Ephemera Included: Accompanied by the original vintage newsroom kraft darkroom filing envelope dated 1934.
Please Note: This listing is for the two (2) physical antique glass plate negatives and their original filing envelope only. Any positive photographic images shown in this listing are modern inverted digital scans provided solely as a visual reference to demonstrate how the negatives print. No physical paper photographs, modern prints, or reproduction prints are included.
Condition:Very Good antique condition. Both heavy glass plates are structurally sound, flat, and complete with no cracks, breaks, or fractures. Gelatin silver emulsions remain deep, stable, and sharp, capturing crisp details across the snow-covered roofs, catenary framing, car trucks, and winter clothing. Expected honest newsroom handling wear is confined strictly to the outer clear rebate margins. Accompanied by the original 1934 filing sleeve.
The glass plate negative measures 4 x 5In.
If you collect glass negatives, please check out our collection in our store. We are currently listing thousands of original glass photo negatives from this DJD collection through the remainder of the year. Follow our store, and feel free to reach out about any questions about the negatives in this collection.
Ships with extreme care in archival materials to ensure safe transit. Feel free to reach out with any requests or questions).
Combined shipping is available (with other glass negatives)
