I always have been interested in the human element of railroading; however, that is rarely seen on modern mainline trains. You could still find it on the local runs that deliver to smaller lineside industries. Here we see one such local on Conrail's Reading Line, WPCH-11, with trainman on the ground working the Deka Batteries siding
Location: Lyons, PA
Photo Date: 9-98
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 29, 1998

During the entire Conrail era, this was common scene at Derry Street in Hershey, PA. A temporary operator hands up train orders at the crossovers, which he had to control in case of problems. SD60I CR 5578 is getting his orders one late August evening in 1996, as the aroma of chocolate wafts through the air.
Location: Hershey, PA
Photo Date: 9-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 29, 1998

It's August 1996 on a wonderfully warm afternoon as westbound ALNS (Allentown, PA - NS/Hagerstown, MD) thunders upgrade through CP Wyomissing Jct. Since I was railfanning that day without my little boy, I was able to wander to places I never would have otherwise. Wyomissing has never been a scenic spot for photos, but I have always liked how this one came out.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: 8-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 29, 1998

Once again, I am railfanning a spot not known for its scenic beauty, Alburtis, PA, on Conrail's Reading Line, formally known as the East Penn Branch. A westbound mixed freight is heading toward Reading in as the evening sun catches rain elements in the clouds, looking almost like a storm front.
Location: Alburtis, PA
Photo Date: 9-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 29, 1998

Sometimes “grab shots” turn out better than those we plan for. Such was the case back in October 1996 when my son and I raced out of the car and through the trees to catch this westbound P&S coal drag in Emmaus, PA. What makes this photo truly memorable is the fellow and his dog watching the freight from the bridge. Man's best friend! This remains my favorite 1990's photo that I've taken.
Location: Emmaus, PA
Photo Date: 10-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 29, 1998

Black and white photography can be just as dramatic as color, maybe more so. Ken captured this freight on at MP 384 on the Chicago Line. The rock wall to the right is the old embankment where the West Shore used to cross the NYC mainline.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Ken Freeman     Added: August 12, 1998

Empty unit coal train XSH-08E crossing Columbia Bridge over the Schuylkill River just outside Philadelphia back on August 12, 1998. While it looks like a typical Conrail coal train, if you look closely you'll notice that CR 6620 C36-7 is on the lead--a Ballast Express locomotive.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: 8-12-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: September 5, 1998

On a clear day you can see Philadelphia. Conrail's classy Office Car Special heads southbound at old Arsenal Tower on Amtrak's line out of Philadelphia.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: September 5, 1998

Empty westbound hopper train XSM-43 rounds the curves at Pottstown, PA, on a crisp November day in 1998 with CR 6512 SD40-2 repainted in the Quality scheme and CR 6702 SD50 on the lead.
Location: Pottstown, PA
Photo Date: 11-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: December 20, 1998

Back in 1998, a new Conrail SD70 leads a huge power transfer on ALHB (Allentown, PA - Harrisburg, PA) past and old fertilizer dealer in Blandon, PA.
Location: Blandon, PA
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: February 7, 1999

CR 6355 SD40 in CR stencils followed by CR 3228 GP40 lead OIPI (Oak Island Yard, NJ - Conway, PA) past the old passenger shelter in Hopewell, NJ.
Location: Hopewell, NJ
Photo Date: 7-13-82
Photographer: Jerome Rosenfeld     Added: July 7, 1999

This was one of the last, if not the last, train to switch the historic Boston Line in southeast Baltimore, MD. The Boston Street line is the original alignment of the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, which terminated at President Street Station, which stands fully renovated at the eastern edge of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The train shed stood into the late 70's. The station itself is the oldest downtown train station in the country still standing. Lincoln traveled to Washington by way of President Street, as did the Massachusetts regiments sent to protect the capital during the Civil War. Some of the earliest bloodshed of the war took place along this historic line.

After the Union and Baltimore and Potomac tunnels were opened after the Civil War, the Boston Street line became a busy industrial corridor, serving the shipbuilding, chemical, and other manufacturing industries along the Canton waterfront. The last customer on the line was the American Can Company, which was itself winding down operations at the time these photos were taken in 1987.

In the mid 1980's, the area was being redeveloped as a "Gold Coast," with new condos and high-rise apartments taking the place of the old smokestacks and loading docks. By the late 1990's, aside from a few remodeled loft buildings, there was little indication that heavy industry once dominated Boston Street.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Photo Date: ?-87
Photographer: Lee Weldon     Added: September 10, 1999

The trainman os riding the rear of CR 8263 as it switches out Boston Street.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Photo Date: ?-87
Photographer: Lee Weldon     Added: September 10, 1999

Lee says this was one of his favorite photos. You can just hear the trainman shouting down: "And when you're done filling 'er up, could you check the oil and toss up a bag of ice?"
Location: Inwood, VA
Photo Date: ?-82
Photographer: Lee Weldon     Added: December 10, 1999

Conrail behind bars! I ran up to the fence shouting "be free, be free little SW-9" but to no avail. She remained there. Motionless. I wept. Well, maybe it didn't happen exactly that way. But I was excited to find a long-since retired 1,200hp Conrail SW9 in Waycross, GA, along with a Rio Grande SW1500 on October 4, 1999. I thought it would make an unusual wallpaper photo. Oh little SW900, we shall miss you and your owner. May your parts rest in peace.
Location: Waycross, GA
Photo Date: 10-4-99
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: February 12, 2000

It's only two months since the Conrail merger and PC 2316 GP35 sits in its original colors under what I assume is an old New Haven coaling dock in New Haven, CT, sometime in June 1976.
Location: New Haven, CT
Photo Date: 6-76
Photographer: Steve Geisler     Added: February 18, 2000

CR 1608 is passing the "shorty" semaphore at Crawfordsville, Indiana with CSX Z460, AKA Conrail WSAV-22.
Location: Crawfordsville, IN
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Pete Ruesch     Added: February 18, 2000

Conrail train UGS-21 heads west through Danville, Indiana, behind CR 5629 SD60M late in the afternoon of April 4, 1998.
Location: Danville, IN
Photo Date: 4-4-98
Photographer: Pete Ruesch     Added: February 18, 2000

A much bigger engine passing an even smaller signal, CR 4126 leads an INEL past the Pennsy pedestal signal at the south end of the siding at Leesburg, Indiana, on the Marion Branch.
Location: Leesburg, IN
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Pete Ruesch     Added: February 18, 2000

The interior of the observation dome Conrail 55 from Conrail's business train, the Office Car Special.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 10-4-97
Photographer: Jeff Lubchansky     Added: March 19, 2000

This photo of Conrail 2 in its original blue was taken on a cold, snowy day on the Northeast Corridor. The car was coupled to the rear of an Amtrak train, which was not the usual place to find a Conrail business car. You can almost feel the snow. Conrail 2 would later became Conrail 19.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: George Elwood     Added: March 19, 2000

There is only one more day left before the end of Conrail, but maintenance of way continues as planned, even as autoracks blur past.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 5-30-99
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: March 25, 2000

CR 6506 and CR 6773 pull WPPG-76 across the highline at CP Field against the backdrop of Philadelphia at 4:05pm on April 17, 1998.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: 4-17-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: April 4, 2000

ALCA-2 (Allentown, PA - Camden, NJ) at 7:20am on March 12, 1998 crosses the bridge at CP Belmont in Philadelphia, PA. Power for the day were two paired SD80MACs, CR 4112 and CR 4112.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: 3-12-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: April 4, 2000

Two Conrail C32-8's and a GP40-2 roll a westbound loaded ballast train around the sweeping curve past the old Reading Company station at Phoenixville, PA, in October of 1997.
Location: Phoenixville, PA
Photo Date: 10-97
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: April 4, 2000

Lead by CR 5529 and CR 5557, dedicated autorack train ML401 crosses the Schuylkill River at CP Norris at 9:55am on March 5, 1998.
Location: Norristown, PA
Photo Date: 3-5-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: April 4, 2000

Later in the day, ML401 continues its westbound travels on the Belt Line through West Reading, PA. Penn Ave is just below the foreground bridge. The factory in the shot is the old Palmer candy factory.
Location: West Reading, PA
Photo Date: 3-5-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: April 4, 2000

CR 4021 E8A leads an Operation Lifesaver special on CSX rails, running as P918-13, past milepost 147 at Crawfordsville, Indiana, on May 15, 1998.
Location: Crawfordsville, IN
Photo Date: 5-15-98
Photographer: Pete Ruesch     Added: April 18, 2000

On a different Lifesaver trip, CR 4021 races northward on Conrail's Marion Branch with train OCS-502 near Silver Lake, Indiana, on June 24, 1998.
Location: Silver Lake, IN
Photo Date: 6-24-98
Photographer: Pete Ruesch     Added: April 18, 2000

Time is up, the train is in the siding, and the crew needs a lift back home. On 8-27-88 Kevin caught a crew boarding Conrail freight COSE for a 'dead head' trip from the siding in Erie, PA, to Buffalo.
Location: Erie, PA
Photo Date: 8-27-88
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: April 18, 2000

On October 15, 1994, eastbound BUOI (Buffalo, NY - Oak Island Yard, NJ) has reached the top of Attica Hill at CP Linden in Linden, NY. For the most part, Conrail did not alter the signal system from Buffalo to Silver Springs, NY under any signal program; the only alterations were maintenance abatement changeouts here and there.
Location: in Linden, NY
Photo Date: 10-15-94
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: April 18, 2000

BUOI (Buffalo, NY - Oak Island Yard, NJ) lead by CR 6573 is crossing from track 1 back to track 2 while a Canadian Pacific (D&H 269) run-through waits. The CP train was unordinarily long this day, which is why he was held up east of the road crossing in Canisteo, NY rather than pulling forward to East Hornell. The run-through is lead by a GATX unit, a former UP unit, and a SOO unit.
Location: Canisteo, NY
Photo Date: 9-4-93
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: July 18, 2000

CR 4022 is still in its original blue as seen here in West Trenton, NJ, but black paint has been applied to the nose and window areas to cut down on glare.
Location: West Trenton, NJ
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: May 15, 2000

CR 4020 leads an OCS move out of Philadelphia's 30th Street Station on the Amtrak level in 1998.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: May 15, 2000

A great shot of CR 4021 leading an OCS move around a curve.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: May 15, 2000

On Operation Lifesaver move is taking the highline at CP Field at the University of Pennsylvania. Photo taken from a parking garage behind the Civic Center in downtown Philadelphia, PA.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: May 15, 2000

A rare sight, a freight locomotive on the lead of an OCS train from the summer of 1998 on the day that CR 4020 E8A derailed and damaged the lead truck in the yard at 30th St. in Philadelphia during the wee hours of the morning. CR 6145 C40-8W was grabbed to pinch hit until Harrisburg, where they would meet CR 4022, which was coming from Altoona to take over.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Robert Palmer     Added: May 15, 2000

During the Midwest flooding of 1993, power from western roads could be seen on many Conrail trains. The western roads also detoured many trains until the waters subsided and repairs were complete. Here we see Santa Fe 5358 SD45 as the trailing unit of TV-25.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: ?-93
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: June 14, 2000

An assortment of traction motors at Juniata. The one on the right that is marked ‘AH’ is for a GE C40-8 and C40-8W.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: July 18, 2000

The old Conrail Buffalo Division marker in Warners, NY on September 13, 1987.
Location: Warners, NY
Photo Date: 9-13-87
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: July 18, 2000

This is a 2-shot sequence on August 19, 1989 of the TankTrain that ran on the NYC. The unique train cycled between someplace in Canada and the power plant in Oswego, NY, at the end of the Conrail's (DL&W/EL) Baldwinsville Secondary. Here, the train approaches CP-293 in Syracuse from the east, crosses over to the north track, and enters the branch. Heading in the other direction on the main, and cooling its heels for the TankTrain crossover move, is an eastbound autorack train just out of view.
Location: Oswego, NY
Photo Date: 8-19-89
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: July 18, 2000

It appears there are 14 tank cars in one TankTrain set. The number of sets in the train are unknown. The tank cars in the foreground are coming off the crossover while the head end has entered the DL&W. The DL&W used to pass underneath the NYC. That underpass, a problem area in terms of drainage, was closed off in favor of a jump-on-jump-off arrangement on the NYC.
Location: Oswego, NY
Photo Date: 8-19-89
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: July 18, 2000

I was 14, using my father's semi-functional 35mm German camera, and was allowed for the first time to visit the Reading Company yard and shops along 6th Street with my buddy. On that first solo trip along the yard at mid-day on a sticky, hazy summer day in June 1977, I found GP35 CR 3686 moving RDG 902, which was one of three remaining Reading Company FP7's that were used on 'push-pull' commuter service between Reading and Philadelphia. Conrail transferred RDG 902 and the other two FP7’s to SEPTA, which took over the commuter service.
Location: Reading, PA
Photo Date: 6-77
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: July 24, 2000

CR 1933 B23-7 takes a break from its normal Track Geometry Train duty to haul a RoadRailer from Rutherford, PA, along the Reading Line at the Derry Street crossing in Hershey, PA, on August 29, 1998. The Hershey Chocolate factory can be seen in the background. The silos to the right stored the raw product such as cocoa beans and sugar. The products were then transported to the factory across the tracks via the conveyor you see over the tracks. The traditional factory is to the left of the photo.
Location: Hershey, PA
Photo Date: 8-29-98
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: September 4, 2000

A view of Conrail train TV-301 climbing the east slope of Gulf Summit hill up from Deposit, NY. Soon, the train would crest the grade, cross Starrucca Viaduct and proceed to Binghamton, NY. Unfortunately, this train would strike an automobile near Kirkwood NY. I would witness the accident while pacing the train alongside on Route 11. After calling for EMT response, I ran ahead to fetch two members of the three-man crew, dropping one man at a road crossing that needed to be cut and taking the other back to the scene.
Location: Deposit, NY
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: September 4, 2000

The green of spring is just starting to sprout as three Conrail SD40-2s (CR 6375, CR 6403, and CR 6459) along with three GP40’s (CR 3197, CR 3204, and an unknown unit) begin the descent into the historic curve area on May 8, 1987.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 5-8-87
Photographer: Glen Beans     Added: July 21, 2001

A classic scene on Horseshoe Curve during the early transition years of Conrail as three GP38-2's (xPC 8088, CR 8089, xPC 8012) make their way through the scene. The hastily painted-out Penn Central logos on CR 8088 now look as if they never had been obliterated with black paint. This was the peak of rainbow days.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Glen Beans     Added: July 21, 2001

It's December 1978 and a repainted Penn Central (CR 6356) SD40 leads a pair of repainted SD4s5 across the B&O mainline in Mansfield, OH.
Location: Mansfield, OH
Photo Date: 12-78
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 23, 2001

The conductor dares not venture outside the warm comfort of his caboose's bay window to pick up train orders from the BO Junction's operator on the ground. Ice hanging off a moving train is a sure sign the weather is frigid! Dig the operator's groovy coat. Can you tell it's December 1978 on the famous PRR/CR Chicago to New York mainline in Mansfield, Ohio? BO Junction was one of three towers in the town, all within a mile of each other. Of course, all are gone today. The B&O line south was abandoned at least 10 years ago, while the line north was taken over by the Ashland Railroad. The building in the background is Union Station, where the train is crossing what was left of the EL's Hoboken to Chicago mainline.
Location: Mansfield, OH
Photo Date: 12-78
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 23, 2001

While not the best OCS photo, I'm happy that I figured out how to scan it.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: ?-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: August 8, 2001

It was one of those great spring days in 1996 when I caught this westbound 'hotrail' mixed freight thundering through Sinking Spring, PA, one of my favorite spots due to the three grade crossings. Only the first three units are under power, which follows Conrail's practice of allowing only so many operating traction motors per train. The rest of the locomotives are being shipped to Harrisburg for further assignments. This wasn't a common scene on Conrail to see so many locomotives on the head of a freight train.
Location: Sinking Spring, PA
Photo Date: ?-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: August 24, 2001

Did you know that there were two end observation business cars carrying the number Conrail 1? The first Conrail 1 was originally built by Pullman Standard in 1928 as New York Central 3. With the advent of the Pennsylvania-New York Central merger in 1968, it was renumbered as Penn Central 4. When Conrail began putting their first business train together, PC 4 was rebuilt, repainted, and renumbered as Conrail 1. Unfortunately, the original Conrail 1 did not last long. When L. Stanley Crane left his position at the Southern Railway to become the president of Conrail, he wanted to create a more dignified looking business train, one that was painted in a color more befitting the president of one of the nation's most powerful railroads. The fate of the original Conrail 1 was immediately sealed. In 1981 it was sold off to Railway Associates Services in Columbus, MA. The following year the second car to wear the number Conrail 1 appeared on the railroad.

The second Conrail 1 was an opulent replacement for its predecessor. It began its life as a 12-section heavyweight end-observation sleeper with one drawing room. It was built by Pullman Standard in late 1920 and was given the name "Shannon." In April 1941, after 21 years of continuous service, the Shannon was converted into a 13-section Tourist Sleeper numbered 1816. During and shortly after World War II, it served in troop transport service across the nation until it was retired from revenue service in 1947.

Shortly thereafter, the Southern Railway purchased the car, renumbered it SOU 3102, and converted it into one of four Dinette-Coaches the railway owned. During the period of segregation in the South, the car was used as a coach for Black passengers and as a food service car for all passengers, both Black and White. It ended its revenue service days on the Southern Railway on the "Carolina Special," which ran between Asheville, NC, and Knoxville, TN.

By the early 1960's, passenger service was declining across the country. In February 1964, the Southern removed the car from revenue service, renumbered it SOU 10, and rebuilt it into an office car. In 1970, the car was renumbered SOU 3, which it remained until being sold to Conrail twelve years later.

In 1982, Conrail president L. Stanley Crane purchased SOU 3 from his former railroad. By the time the car emerged from the shops as the second Conrail 1, it only superficially resembled the car that had transported Crane across the South. Conrail crews had completely remodeled and rebuilt the interior. They even included a longer than usual double bed for the Vice President of Transportation, Don Swanson. Conrail gave the car two bedrooms, a solarium observation, a dining area complete with full kitchen, and a panty for storing food and other supplies. Conrail 1 was truly an elegant way for any executive to travel the rails of their company.

During the late 1990's, Conrail 1 finished its active life on the railroad assigned to Senior Vice President of Operations, Ron Conway, and Vice President of Service Delivery, Gary Spiegal. On June 1, 1999, Conrail 1 became the property of Norfolk Southern, the successor of the car's original owner, the Southern Railway. A rather fitting conclusion to our story of Conrail 1.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: ?-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: December 13, 2001 (Text added May 19, 2021)

An interesting encounter as a Conrail train overtakes a Delaware & Hudson freight in East Hornell, NY, a year or so after the Conrail merger. A former Erie Lackawanna SD45 leads the Conrail drag, followed by a new SD40-2 that had been purchased new in 1977 and ending with a Penn Central U25B with its NYC logo and colors showing through. If that wasn't interesting enough, the D&H train is powered with locomotives that were intended to go to Conrail but were sent by the FRA to the D&H instead. You just got to love the 1970s!
Location: East Hornell, NY
Photo Date: ?-77
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: January 12, 2002

It's March 1978 at Port Kennedy, PA, and snow still blankets the tracks in the late afternoon as CR 6292, (former CNJ SD40 3068) leads a train. Mike shot the scene on the way home from school. That crewman must have been cold walking between the two locomotives!
Location: Port Kennedy, PA
Photo Date: 3-78
Photographer: Mike Szilagyi     Added: January 18, 2002

You will never be able to get a shot at the famous Gallitzin tunnels like this ever again. CR 6031, a former Penn Central SD35, is heading westbound while a couple of friendly railfans watch in amazement. This was railfanning Conrail during the 1970’s.
Location: Gallitzin, PA
Photo Date: 7-1-79
Photographer: John Prock     Added: January 18, 2002

CR 3334 GP40-2 leads westbound OIEL (Oak Island Yard, NJ - Elkhart, IN) across the scenic Genesee River outside of Belmont, NY on July 7, 1990.
Location: Belmont, NY
Photo Date: 7-7-90
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: February 13, 2002

The crew of westbound LMPI has run out of time at Derry Street in Hershey, PA on February 20, 1999 and is being replaced by a new crew, who will continue the train to its destination in Conway, PA, outside Pittsburgh.
Location: Hershey, PA
Photo Date: 2-20-99
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: February 13, 2002

Morning fog partially socks in the Bethlehem Engine Terminal on this October 1977 day as C-420 xLHR 2072, a lownose xLV RS-11, and an xLV NW-2 quietly idle by the old coaling tower. xLHR 2072 eventually became the only C-420 to wear a coat of blue paint.
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Photo Date: 10-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: June 13, 2002

A contrast between the older and the newer locomotives outside the Collinwood Engine Terminal on the former Penn Central.
Location: Cleveland, OH (Collinwood Yard)
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

A typical lash up of locomotives during the early transition days of Conrail outside Ravenna, OH in December 1977. The consists begins with U30B CR 2861, SD40 CR 6353, C-425 xPC 2418, GP35 xPC 2316, an unknown xPC GP9, and GP9 xPC 7335.
Location: Ravenna, OH
Photo Date: 12-77
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

A better view of the C-425 and the two lead blue units.
Location: Ravenna, OH
Photo Date: 12-77
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

The last in the series of three photos shows the entire train slipping into the distance.
Location: Ravenna, OH
Photo Date: 12-77
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

A former Erie Lackawanna E8A 4014 along with an unknown Geep are pulling a late-evening passenger train somewhere Chicago in September 1977.
Location: Chicago, IL
Photo Date: 9-77
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 27, 2002

Is it Conrail or Penn Central? Without knowing the date of this photo, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between this December 1976 photo and one taken a year earlier, when the line through Berea, OH was still under PC control.
Location: Berea, OH
Photo Date: 12-76
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

Another photo taken in December 1976 outside Cleveland, OH that looks as if Conrail were still off in the future. A lone GP7 PC 5631 sits with a transfer caboose in the siding.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 12-76
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

It's a cold day in December 1976 as the Collinwood Engine Terminal comes alive on a snowy morning. While it looks like a sea of ancient Alco and EMD black engines, there is one lone blue unit.
Location: Cleveland, OH (Collinwood Yard)
Photo Date: 12-76
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: July 26, 2002

The call went out for this ex-PRR Alco to lead an eastbound COME in this bucolic setting on the former Erie Lackawanna between Brady Lake and Ravenna, Ohio on a fine June 1979 day. Within a year these ALCo's would be stored and eventually retired, leaving the work to the trailing EMD's.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 6-79
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: August 21, 2002

The C-628's last year was 1980, although 1979 was the last good active year. Roger believes they went to scrap in 1981 and 1982. While many Conrail four-motor ALCo's found new homes on other railroads, only one six-motor class, the C-636, eluded the scrapper. Here are exLV 6726 in its old cornell red scheme leading a freight in 1979.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: ?-79
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: August 21, 2002

Here we see another former Lehigh Valley C-628 renumbered for Conrail, rounding the curve on the former Erie Lackawanna tracks through Akron, Ohio in April 1977, a year after the startup of Conrail.
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: 4-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: August 21, 2002

A typical sight in the Midwest during the first few years of Conrail, until the fleet of covered wagons were sent off for scrap. A trio of former Penn Central F7A's depart Collinwood for Rockport on a crisp morning in March 1978.
Location: Cleveland, OH (Collinwood Yard)
Photo Date: 3-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: August 21, 2002

Let's look behind door number 3! What do you know? It's not a Penn Central unit, it's former Peoria & Eastern SW7 #8905, wearing its Conrail markings, sitting outside the Scranton Diesel Shop in October 1978.
Location: Scranton, PA
Photo Date: 10-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: August 21, 2002

Conrail MOPI (Morrisville, NJ – Pittsburgh, PA) pauses in Cresson, PA on February 1, 1998 with CR 4128 (a former demo unit) and CR 4106. It will continue onto Conway momentarily.
Location: Cresson, PA
Photo Date: 2-1-98
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: December 14, 2002

Shown at Cleveland, Ohio during February 1978, and surrounded by ex-EL units, a former Reading Lines unit, CR 5839 (ex-RDG 652) GP7, has received the economy version of Conrail's blue paint scheme. Note the lack of dynamic brakes.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 2-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: December 14, 2002

Former PC/PRR 2419, an ALCo C-425, is paired with a GP-9 still in full Penn Central livery on a helper set drifting downhill for another push up Wooster Hill just west of Orrville, Ohio in July 1977. Note the Conrail name on 2419 is only on the nose.
Location: Orrville, OH
Photo Date: 7-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: December 14, 2002

The Terminal Tower looks down on the Whiskey Island ore dock Huletts in Cleveland, Ohio in August 1992.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 8-92
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: December 14, 2002

On December 12, 1988, the servicing facility at Olean, NY is brand new in the snow with CR 6408 and CR 2756 under the tower.
Location: Olean, NY
Photo Date: 12-12-88
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: December 17, 2002

We railfans tend to overlook the minor details that bring a railroad to life, such as signs. Here we see the sign greeting employees as they enter the yard in Allentown, PA in 1998.
Location: Allentown, PA
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Rich Reinhart     Added: March 28, 2003

Fresh out of Juniata Back Shop, Conrail C30-7A 6567 heads up an empty PPL train at Cresson, PA on March 15, 1999.
Location: Cresson, PA
Photo Date: 3-15-99
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: March 28, 2003

Four 6-axle EMD's head a westbound Conrail freight across the Hudson River in New York State and will be in Selkirk Yard in a few miles.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 10-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: June 15, 2003

A stenciled former Penn Central RS-27 #2401 heads up an eastbound train on the old Erie Lackawanna at Akron, Ohio in the winter of 77/78. A grubby day but these babies were rare!
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: June 15, 2003

A westbound on the former Erie Lackawanna at Akron, Ohio in August 1978 is headed up by ex-EL C-424 2476 and two ex-PC C-425's.
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: 8-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: June 15, 2003

A late-running COMY has cut away from its train and prepares to back into South Akron yard in Akron, Ohio. A former PC/PRR SD-35 leads on this very cold winter night in 1978. Off to the right, a weed covered ex-EL main and dark search-light signal forecast the future for that once hot main.
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: ?-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: June 15, 2003

A classic Winter day, a rare former-Lehigh Valley GP38AC (CR 7658) leads a general merchandise train on the old Erie Lackawanna mainline in March 1978 at Rittman, OH. Conrail owned only four LV GP38AC's, so they were a treat to shoot no matter what the weather.
Location: Rittman, OH
Photo Date: 3-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: September 8, 2003

xEL 3684 GP35 is leading TV-98 eastbound on old home rails through Akron, OH in September 1977.
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: 9-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: September 8, 2003

We're standing on the Route 53 overpass at Cresson, PA in May 1977 as two SD-45 helpers, one in fresh paint, on a freshly graded mainline pass by the tail end of a coal drag, complete with N5C caboose.
Location: Cresson, PA
Photo Date: 5-77
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: September 8, 2003

It's another great spring day in May 1977 as a trio of EMD's led by SD45 xPC 6237 head toward The Curve at milepost 241.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: 5-77
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: September 8, 2003

A Conrail N8 caboose brings up the rear of northbound train out of Pot Yard crossing the famous PRR bridge at Havre de Grace, MD in April 1980.
Location: Grace, MD
Photo Date: 4-80
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: September 8, 2003

During the early years, when power was always short, Conrail used locomotives from several roads. Here we see SD45 xPC 6173 with an CNW SD-45 on The Curve in May 1977. The CNW unit has no dynamic brakes, hence no bulge in the middle of the long hood.
Location: Horseshoe Curve, PA
Photo Date: 5-77
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: September 8, 2003

A shot from December 1976 and a renumbered EL F7A (CR 7121) works a small yard between Cleveland and Collinwood on the old NYC in 1976.
Location: Cleveland, OH
Photo Date: 12-76
Photographer: Gary Morris     Added: September 10, 2003

Harry was an EL man through and through, and often helped the CRCyc during the early days. Harry passed away several years ago, but his memory still lives on here. He took this shot of HO tower at Horseheads, NY on a chilly autumn day in 1976.
Location: Horseheads, NY
Photo Date: ?-76
Photographer: Harry Scholtz     Added: September 10, 2003

Harry shot the old board inside the tower, a sight we no longer see in our modern age.
Location: Horseheads, NY
Photo Date: ?-76
Photographer: Harry Scholtz     Added: September 10, 2003

Former Penn Central SD35 6003 leads an empty coal drag through the crossovers in front of MO Tower in August 1978.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 8-78
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: October 22, 2003

A pair of former Penn Central SD45’s on pusher duty by the Horseshoe Curve signal bridge on October 17, 1976.
Location: Horseshoe Curve, PA
Photo Date: 10-17-76
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: October 22, 2003

Conrail SD40-2 6406 leads a mixed freight through the Altoona Brickyard on August 1, 1987.
Location: Altoona, PA
Photo Date: 8-1-87
Photographer: Don Oltmann     Added: October 22, 2003

The old Reading Company eastbound signal still in operation in June 1998. The chocolate plant is in the background and the park is to the left.
Location: Hershey, PA
Photo Date: 6-98
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: November 28, 2003

A Conrail ballast extra is running westbound through Richland, PA on the old Harrisburg Line. This is pretty much all there is to see in Richland except for the crossing behind the photographer and a small cut through a hill.
Location: Richland, PA
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: November 28, 2003

Looking eastbound at the old, abandoned Rutherford Yard on the Harrisburg Line in 1997.
Location: Rutherford, PA
Photo Date: Unknown
Photographer: ?-97     Added: November 28, 2003

The Keating Helpers are pushing BUEN through CP-North Eldred in Eldred, PA on August 27, 1988.
Location: Eldred, PA
Photo Date: 8-27-98
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: November 28, 2003

Westbound MAIL-3 is coming through the Hershey Food chocolate plant in Hershey, PA on September 25, 1998. The monorail in the foreground runs from Hershey Park (to the left) to the Hershey plant. When the monorail used to stop at the plant, and you could get off for a tour of the plant and free chocolate. The cabooses on the right siding are for the local assigned to the plant. During the early 1990's it was powered by an SW900, though an SW1500 eventually took over the duties.
Location: Hershey, PA
Photo Date: 9-25-98
Photographer: Kevin DeGroff     Added: November 28, 2003

A late summer freight headed by SD80MAC CR 4105 roars through Olmsted Falls, Ohio on August 7, 1997.
Location: Olmsted Falls, OH
Photo Date: 8-7-97
Photographer: Jim Shields     Added: January 21, 2004

SD80MAC CR 4106 leads a freight.
Location: Rocky Ridge, OH
Photo Date: 11-28-98
Photographer: Jim Shields     Added: January 21, 2004

CR 4100 is the only power on an intermodal running through a late-season snow on April 23, 1996 in Vermillion, Ohio.
Location: Vermillion, OH
Photo Date: 4-23-96
Photographer: Jim Shields     Added: January 21, 2004

A classic northeastern Lehigh Valley cabin car (LV A95073) brings up the rear of a Conrail westbound through Akron, OH in July 1976.
Location: Akron, OH
Photo Date: 7-76
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: January 22, 2004

A former EL unit is hooked up to the Search Test Center in Collinwood yard in Cleveland, Ohio for some troubleshooting in May 1978. The unit is former EL 2558, a GP35.
Location: Cleveland, OH (Collinwood Yard)
Photo Date: 5-78
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: January 22, 2004

An outlawed ore train awaits a new crew with an impressive Alco consist of a C-628 leading three C-636's.
Location: Hudson, OH
Photo Date: 11-77
Photographer: Roger Durfee     Added: January 22, 2004