Conrail 5600 began its life circa 1951 as New York Central 5600, which was the first GP7 in the NYC's series. The New York Central GP7's contained a great deal of variety. NYC 5600 was one of the basic models and remained unchanged through Penn Central, where it retained the same road number, right through its life on Conrail.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 11-24-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: December 1, 1999

Note the worn off large CONRAIL on the side. A year earlier, that CONRAIL had not been painted in the locomotive when it got its CR stencils.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 9-11-78
Photographer: Bob Dobrowolski     Added: September 10, 1999

CR 5605 was originally Penn Central 5605.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 9-19-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Three former Penn Central geeps all in CR stencils sit in a line in Hammond, with CR 5652 in the foreground. 5652 was another of the standard New York Central GP7's that went onto the Penn Central and then Conrail with the same road number under all three railroads.
Location: Hammond, IN
Photo Date: 4-10-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: Oct 23, 2020

CR 5652 had its Penn Central heralds painted black but was placed in storage and retired before it could be repainted Conrail blue.
Location: Elizabethport, NJ
Photo Date: ?-83
Photographer: Scott Wisner     Added: May 26, 2004

Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 2-25-78
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: October 23, 2020

Another original New York Central GP7, NYC came with several variations from the standard GP7, such as the mounted bell and spark arrestors, which Conrail retained on the unit even after repainting it blue. Like all former NYC GP7's, the 5663 retained the same road number through all three railroads.
Location: Detroit, MI
Photo Date: 12-4-77
Photographer: Earl Minnis     Added: August 27, 2004

Once again, a few numbers removed from CR 5663 shown above, the former New York Central / Penn Central GP7 5669 has variations, such as no spark arrestors but has the forward-mounted bell.
Location: Hammond, IN
Photo Date: 4-10-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: October 23, 2020

Even with its original Central Railroad of New Jersey heralds and numbers having been painted over with CR stencils and numbers, the 1950's Jersey Central striped paint scheme shows though on CR 5676 (former CNJ 1520) as it sits in storage awaiting salvage.
Location: Elizabethport, NJ
Photo Date: ?-83
Photographer: Scott Wisner     Added: May 26, 2004

Former CNJ 1521 has been painted with CR stencils and given the number CR 5677. Sadly, it has seen its last days of operation as it sits outside the Bethlehem roundhouse. Its battery box is open, and its battery has been salvaged already.
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Photo Date: 2-81
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: September 16, 1998

In an odd combination so typical during the early days of Conrail, CNJ 1531 in its full original paint and numbers is working a local along with an Erie Lackawanna caboose still in its original paint and numbers. CNJ 1531 would be renumbered as CR 5678, which is out of sequence with the other CNJ GP7's on the Conrail 1976 roster because CNJ 1531 and CNJ 1532 ran off the Newark Bay Bridge prior to Conrail and were rebuilt by EMD. Conrail still kept them in the GP7 class but they really should have been GP9M's, which is not a class on Conrail.
Location: Ridgefield Park, NJ
Photo Date: 8-23-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

CNJ 1532's original stipes remain but its Jersey Central herald and numbers have been painted over with its new Conrail number (5679) and its new CR stencils.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: October 27, 2018

Known among fans as the "Coast Guard" scheme for its solid red body with white stripe on the long hood, this was the brightest paint scheme the Jersey Central had. Most locomotives were not repainted with Conrail markings and numbers by paint crews in paint shops. Instead, most locomotives got their CR stencils while sitting in the service pads of whatever yard they happened to be in. The person who painted out the Statue of Liberty herald on the white stripe of 5680 took his time to apply the red paint over the herald, where ever he happened to have been at the time. It makes for an interesting look. Location: Red Bank, NJ
Photo Date: 2-26-78
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: August 13, 2000

A former Penn Central unit with air tanks on the roof.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 5-78
Photographer: Bob Dobrowolski     Added: October 27, 2018

By the looks of the side numbers, I think it's plain to see that this former Reading Company GP7, RDG 622, was renumbered at the Reading, PA, shops.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 2-11-78
Photographer: Mike Szilagyi     Added: January 12, 2002

CR 5821 was one of several units that New York Central purchased from the Chesapeake & Ohio in January 1956. These were NYC 5818-5827 (nee-C&O 5720-5729). They were built by EMD's Canadian division (GMDL). Canadian customs kept the GMDL GP7's and GP9's captive on the Canadian Southern portion of the Penn Central and then Conrail. They retained the same road numbers under New York Central, Penn Central, and Conrail.
Location: Windsor, ON (Canada)
Photo Date: 2-21-80
Photographer: Earl Minnis     Added: August 27, 2004

Conrail 5825 is an ex-New York Central GP7 manufactured in EMD's Canadian division (GMDL). An easy spotting feature on these former C&O/NYC units was the winterization hatch over the rear fans, indicating the units had been assigned to cold-weather service in Canada. Like the other ex-C&O units in its series, the 5825 never had the full Penn Central "worm" logos applied, but they did retain the NYC white stripe along the side sill.
Location: Windsor, ON (Canada)
Photo Date: 10-28-78
Photographer: Earl Minnis     Added: August 27, 2004

Gary shot this duo of interesting GP7's while he was travelling in a CTA train; you can see the reflection in the lower corner. The lead unit is CR 5832 (former RDG 630). The rain gutters that were normally on the cab roof had been removed, plus it has no logo. The second unit is CR 5898 (former PC 5898). Look at the EL diamond decal on the nose of this unit. Gary got lucky with this photo.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 12-78
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: August 16, 2002

Former RDG 631 was repainted blue using a Conrail logo meant for a boxcar instead of using the logo meant for locomotives. A unique variation.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 4-10-82
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: October 24, 2002

Former RDG 632 still has its rain gutters on the cab roof, which were standard equipment units the Reading had purchased.
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Photo Date: 7-8-79
Photographer: John Prock     Added: January 12, 2002

The old Reading number, 633, on the long hood is painted over but the '6' is coming through. The CR number stenciled on the cab is the old gothic RDG numbers instead of the CR-style numbers.
Location: Reading, PA
Photo Date: 2-11-78
Photographer: John Prock     Added: September 10, 2003

Former RDG 652 did not have the full Conrail logo when this photo was taken.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 2-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: December 14, 2002

Former PC 5855.
Location: Enola, PA
Photo Date: ?-77
Photographer: Walt Gay     Added: October 15, 1998

A former Penn Central/New York Central GP7 sitting in the deadline. Tom says, note the green tinge to the paint but the engine is ex-NYC.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 12-9-84
Photographer: Tom Haag     Added: March 15, 2002

Location: Harrison, NJ
Photo Date: 10-11-76
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Location: Harrison, NJ
Photo Date: 10-11-76
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Painted in the Coast Guard scheme and working on the NJDOT passenger trains.
Location: Bay Head, NJ (Bay Head Jct)
Photo Date: 5-29-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: Nov 24, 2019

Location: Bay Head, NJ (Bay Head Jct)
Photo Date: 5-29-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Location: East Stroudsburg, PA
Photo Date: 6-26-77
Photographer: Arnie Morscher     Added: June 11, 2000

A Phase III unit, CR 5924 got its CR numbers stenciled over its EL numbers, but no logo on the noses. Former Erie 1404.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Harry Scholtz     Added: September 10, 2003

Taken during the evening with a timed exposure, xEL 5924 is on the dead line at the Juniata Locomotive Shop as blue units blur by.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 5-22-82
Photographer: Jim Appleman     Added: August 10, 2008

This unit was sitting in the deadline but was later saved by the Central Michigan Railway (CMGN). This unit never made it into CR stencils; it would have been CR 5937.
Location: Altoona, PA   6-25-77
Photo Date: 6-25-77
Photographer: Arnie Morscher     Added: June 11, 2000

CR-stenciled EL GP7 (nee-EL/Erie 1215) and xEL 5992 NW2 are idling in Buffalo. Note the numbering style used on these locomotives. It appears this style was only applied to the EL units. These abnormal looking CR markings and the NYC style numbers on the cab of the unit were a product of stenciling and renumbering done at the ex-PC Frontier Yard in Buffalo, NY. Many of these same PC, EL, and LV units were assigned to the Buffalo area even before the merger and received this treatment in the late 70's. They hung around for many years. Even after they went to Juniata to get the full blue repaint, they came back to Buffalo.
Location: Naiagra Falls, NY (Niagra Yard)
Photo Date: 12-22-77
Photographer: Arnie Morscher     Added: May 12, 1999

CR 5958 and CR 5959 pull out a hodge-podge assortment of PC and PRR coaches out of Chicago terminal.
Location: Chicago, IL
Photo Date: 8-4-78
Photographer: Bob Dobrowolski     Added: October 23, 1999

Check out the large logo on 5959's side.
Location: Chicago, IL
Photo Date: 8-4-78
Photographer: Bob Dobrowolski     Added: October 23, 1999

Over a year into Conrail, and EL 1229 is still in its Erie Lackawanna paint.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 7-31-77
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

El 1233 GP7 is working with PC 6563 U33C.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 7-76
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

EL 1233 has received its CR stencils and is now CR 5971, along with two other former EL GP7's.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 3-18-78
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: John Durant     Added: January 22, 2002

CR 5977 (former EL 1239) and CR 5920 (former EL 1400) are waiting for more work.
Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 4-30-78
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Location: Croxton, NJ
Photo Date: 11-14-76
Photographer: Joe Testagrose     Added: November 24, 2019

Sitting in the dead line.
Location: Elizabethport, NJ
Photo Date: ?-83
Photographer: Scott Wisner     Added: May 26, 2004

Former EL 1215.
Location: Buffalo, NY
Photo Date: 12-22-77
Photographer: Arnie Morscher     Added: September 16, 1998

Former EL 1283 is missing one spark arrestor in this shot.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 11-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: March 8, 2004

Another former EL GP7 (EL 1284/DL&W 695) repainted in blue at work but looking fairly worn. Notice the old EL paint showing through on the body, along with the upper rear headlight being burned out. Also note the transfer cabooses in the shot.
Location: Brea, OH
Photo Date: 7-24-78
Photographer: Arnie Morscher     Added: September 16, 1998