An Akron Railroad Scene Imagined in Layers

It is May 1974 in Akron and this is looking west across the Erie Lackawanna yard. Imagine this is in layers.

First there is a Pennsylvania Railroad gondola on the now-removed Penn Central track nearest the viewer.

Then come the hidden two-track Chessie System mainline (now CSX) and the hidden and now-removed two track EL mainline.

To the left is the EL yard office. Behind it are yard tracks. There is an EL transfer caboose on one. Behind it is Erie Railroad 520, and behind that is Sperry 125.

If you look closely behind Sperry 125, you can see the track leading to the bakery and the EL-served bakery.

Today only the two CSX tracks and Sperry 125 survive.

Article and Photographs by Robert Farkas

Tags: Akron, Chessie System, CSX, Erie Lackawanna, Erie Railroad, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, Railfanning in Akron Ohio, Robert Farkas photography, Sperry Rail Service, Sperry railcar