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Offered for sale is a vintage black-and-white photographic negative depicting Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive No. 1080, a Class G5s 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler, hauling a local passenger train near Parker Ford, Pennsylvania, on August 11, 1946.
This excellent historical railroad scene shows the locomotive pulling a string of passenger coaches through the rural Pennsylvania countryside along the Reading–Philadelphia route.
The photograph captures numerous period details, including the locomotive's distinctive smokebox and running gear, passenger cars, railroad tracks, telegraph poles, and surrounding landscape.
Historical Background:
Pennsylvania Railroad No. 1080 was a Class G5s 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler built at the railroad's Juniata Shops in September 1923.
The G5s locomotives were widely used in local and secondary passenger service throughout the Pennsylvania Railroad system.
No. 1080 remained in service through the postwar steam era before being retired in July 1949.
Collector's Envelope Included:
The negative is accompanied by an older paper photographic storage envelope bearing typewritten historical identification:
"Pennsylvania Railroad
Class G-5s 4-6-0 on Reading-Phila
local train (Loco. #1080)
Parker Ford, Pa.
August 11, 1946"
Additional handwritten collector's notations appear on the envelope, including FC, 5x7, 8x10, CB, and BP. These may represent photographic print sizes or archival filing references, although their precise meanings have not been verified.
The original collector's envelope provides valuable historical context and adds to the appeal of this railroad collectible.
Negative Details:
Railroad: Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR)
Locomotive Number: 1080
Class: G5s
Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler
Subject: Steam locomotive hauling local passenger train
Location: Parker Ford, Pennsylvania
Scene Date: August 11, 1946, according to envelope
Negative Dimensions: Approximately 3" x 4"
Format: Black-and-white photographic negative
Includes: Vintage annotated collector's envelope
Condition and Age:
The negative appears to retain good photographic detail and tonal contrast, with possible age-related handling marks, light scratches, dust, or other minor surface imperfections. Slight smell due to age.
The accompanying paper envelope exhibits age toning, minor discoloration, handling wear, and handwritten identification markings consistent with long-term photographic storage.
Although the original railroad scene is identified as dating to August 11, 1946, the precise production date and photographic generation of this particular negative have not been established.
It may be a period camera negative or an older copy negative produced from an earlier photographic image.
The accompanying envelope supports the identification and historical date of the subject but does not independently establish the negative as an original 1946 camera negative.
The positive image shown in the listing is provided for illustration. The actual photographic negative is the item being offered.
Please examine all provided photographs carefully for condition and additional details.
Collector Interest:
An excellent addition to collections of Pennsylvania Railroad memorabilia, PRR G5s steam locomotives, Ten-Wheeler passenger engines, Pennsylvania railroad history, and vintage photographic negatives.
The combination of a specifically identified locomotive, documented 1946 scene, rural Pennsylvania location, complete passenger train, and annotated collector's envelope makes this an attractive historical railroad collectible.
You will receive the actual approximately 3" x 4" photographic negative and accompanying collector's envelope pictured.
Negative will be carefully packaged for shipment.
