I just finished an article in the Spring, 2012 issue of "Classic Trains" magazine about the last steam locomotive in operation on the Pennsy. Actually, it was a Pennsy property in New Jersey that ran through Maple Shade. The Union Transportation Co. In the article the author talks of seeing the 5244, 0-6-0 switcher going through Maple Shade in 1959 on it's last run. My uncles owned a coal yard in Maple Shade and I would spend time with them playing near the tracks. The timing, 1959, would be about right for me. I was eleven years old and it was summer. In the article the last run of the 5244 was on July 14. My cousins and I went down to the tracks and lo and behold here comes a steam locomotive, spewing out smoke and cinders that rained down on our heads.
I'd be willing to bet that what I witnessed was indeed the last run of 5244. It was replaced by a GE 44 ton diesel that same day. The article goes on to say that 5244 was run light, the same way I witnessed it, on the 14th of July, 1959, through Camden, over the Delair Bridge to the 46th Street enginehouse, where it's fire was dropped for the last time.
Anyone that may be interested in the article it was Classic Trains magazine, Spring 2012. The author is Frank C. Kozempel.
