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  • Erie and DL&W Postwar Tugboats

  • Discussion relating to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Erie, and the resulting 1960 merger creating the Erie Lackawanna. Visit the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society at http://www.erielackhs.org/.
Discussion relating to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Erie, and the resulting 1960 merger creating the Erie Lackawanna. Visit the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society at http://www.erielackhs.org/.

Moderator: blockline4180

 #46904  by 498
 
Any recent updates on the postwar tugboats built for the Erie and the DL&W? The Erie PATERSON is a fishing reef now, and the Erie ELMIRA was reportedly scrapped, so what have you seen or heard of the rest of the Erie and DL&W boats?

 #59480  by mxdata
 
I recently found out that the former Erie Railroad tug AKRON is operating in the Boston area. This vessel is one of five of the same design which were built by Jakobson Shipyard and Bethlehem Steel SI Yard in the early 1950s. Her sister MARION is working in Maine, and HORNELL was last reported at Crescent Towing in the Southeastern US. The last I heard of the former BINGHAMTON was that the tug was working in the NY City area. No update on the former DL&W postwar diesel boats (Marine Managers Association design). They were retired from railroad service early and most of them went south as shipdocking tugs. The TAMS boats were much better for handling carfloats and stayed with the railroads in the Northeast until much later.

 #59756  by msernak
 
Anyone know when the Elmira was scrapped? I have a life preserver from this tug and would like to know more about it.

 #59881  by mxdata
 
Probably at the Witte scrapyard on Staten Island, as she was operated by Witte Heavy Lift. I remember seeing this tug handling cranes in the harbor a number of times when I was out riding with NYCH RR.