Akron & Barberton Belt SW1500 Nos. 1501 and 1502 are leading an excursion train on the former Erie Railroad and later Erie Lackawanna mainline east of Rittman on Nov. 16, 1984. These became Akron Barberton Cluster Railway Nos. 1501 and 1502.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It’s around 1967-1969 in Barberton where the Akron & Barberton Belt caboose is tied on to some cars.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
On Nov. 16, 1984, the Akron & Barberton Belt ran a passenger excursion powered by SW1500 Nos. 1501 and A&BB 1502. It is shown in Wadsworth on what used to be the Erie Lackawanna mainline. Today the successor to the A&BB, the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway operates over the ex-EL as far west as Rittman. These units both have operated for the ABC.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Leased to the Akron & Barberton Belt, Morrison-Knudsen GP8 No. 4302 is crossing West Tuscarawas Avenue in Barberton in August 1981. This track was removed long ago, and the A&BB is now the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway, a subsidiary of the Wheeling & Lake Erie. The 4302 was once on the motive power roster of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie and was returned to M-K in October 1982.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Akron & Barberton Belt GP7 No. 4201 works in what is believed to be Barberton in August 1981. Notice the A&BB emblem on the cab. This unit was leased from Precision-National and at one time worked for the Chesapeake & Ohio. It was built in October 1950.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The wayback machine has taken us to see Akron & Barberton Belt GP7 No. 4201 switching in Barberton on Oct. 7, 1980. Today the parking lot, one of the tracks, and A&BB 4201 are gone. The railroad is now the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway, which is owned by the Wheeling & Lake Erie.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Here are two images of Akron Barberton Cluster No. 1502, an EMD SW1500, that were made 24 years apart. The top image was made in Barberton in April 1987 when it was still the Akron & Barberton Belt. The bottom image was made in Barberton on Aug. 26, 2021, by which time the 1502 was lettered and painted for the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
In 1972 the Akron & Barberton Belt leased from Precision National some rebuilt GP7s. No. 4201 is in shown in Barberton on Oct. 10, 1980. No. 4201 was one of just two A&BB locomotives to receive an emblem, which is slightly visible beneath the windows. The Geeps were brought in to replace worn out Alco and Baldwin units.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Akron & Barberton Belt No. 28 is a Baldwin Lima Hamilton S12 switcher. It is shown at the diesel facility in Barberton in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The line of tank cars on the right is on/along the A&BB line that ran to Copley. The cars may be on a siding for the Babcock and Wilcox Company.
Precision National geep No. 1703 was on lease to the Akron & Barberton Belt when the photographer caught up with it at the engine facility in Barberton on March 19, 1977.
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