Dwight Smith Program Featured at Plymouth Meeting
Dwight A. Smith begins his illustrated talk on the B&M in New Hampshire. Rick Nowell photo
Plymouth, N.H., May 13, 2017 -- An enthusiastic audience of nearly 90 people turned out for Dwight Smith's program on B&M in the 1950 - 1970 era at the historic Plymouth depot. Dwight's talk was a tour of the B&M in New Hampshire and Vermont in the classic days when steam was giving way to diesel. Through the lens of Dwight's camera we visited White River Junction, Wells River, Concord, Manchester, the Claremont Branch, the Suncook Valley Railroad, the Springfield Terminal Railway, North Walpole, Bellows Falls, and Brattleboro.
As a freight traffic representative for B&M and Springfield Terminal Dwight was able to follow the conversion from steam to diesel. He noted that by 1954 B&M had mostly dieselized its main line runs, but steam switchers persisted in city yards and division points. There were also glimpses of steam and electric equipment of the CN, CP, Rutland, ST, the Claremont Electric Railway and other short lines. In 1974 Dwight made a trip around New Hampshire to photograph stations, and much of his work on that trip appeared in his power point talk. B&MRRHS volunteers Paul Kosciolek and Bill Hodges manned the sales desk. Thanks to the Plymouth Regional Senior Center for makin the space available and special thanks to Jim and Karen Nigzus who made all the arrangements and made the day a successful one for the Society and an enjoyable one for its members.
