File:Canal Towage Barge No 49 in 1923.jpg

Summary

Taken in 1923, the B&O's Capitol Limited passes Canal Towage barge No. 49 near Sandy Hook. This photo underscores the competition of the railroad versus the canal, which train transportation eventually surpassed with the promise of quicker, easier delivery of goods to market. Reportedly, some engineers blew their horns to frighten the mules as they steamed past the slow moving canal boats.

Canal operations ceased the following year in 1924.

(Photo and information credit - C&O Canal National Historical Park Headquarters)

Reuben Moss: This was the inaugural run of the Capitol Limited taken as a B&O promotional photo. If you notice, the train is standing still. The photographer had climbed a signal pole, the concrete base of which is still accessible from the towpath where, at least as of a couple years ago, a trail through the canal prism was used as the unofficial crossing for the Harpers Ferry Hostel just east of where Sandy Hook and the Rt. 340 bridge there are.

Interesting note, there are three versions of this photograph. This is one of two doctored photographs, the other having the smoke from the locomotive swept back to indicate speed. The original photograph has the stationary locomotive as in this version, but with telephone poles traveling up the hill behind the train and telegraph poles along the towpath.