Here is a two for Tuesday duo from July 22, 2021 in Barberton on the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway. In the top image, SW1500 No. 1501 is pulling its train at the east end of the ABC yard. In the bottom image the 1501 has cut off from its cars as it continues its work.
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
Akron Barberton Cluster Railway EMD SW1500 No. 1502 is switching in Barberton on Feb. 27, 2016.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Akron Barberton Cluster Railway EMD SW 1500 works in Akron on June 5, 2021. The unit was built for the Indianapolis Union and later was on the Conrail motive power roster before it wound up in Northeast Ohio.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
This trio of images was in Akron on May 20, 2021. Akron Barberton Cluster SW1500 No. 1502 was backing up in all three photos. Photos one and two were from the first time I saw the switcher and photo three was from the second time. ABC 1502 is backing up a second time.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
Akron Barberton Cluster GP40 No. 4005 is eastbound on CSX in Akron on May 12, 2021. The unit was acquired in July 2019 and rebuilt at the Wheeling & Lake Erie shops in Brewster. It was released for revenue service in January 2020.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Although Akron Barberton Cluster motive power typically has handled the ABC job that serves Kent and Ravenna, locomotives from parent Wheeling & Lake Erie often has pitched in to help when needed.
Such was the case on Nov. 4, 2005, when GP35 No. 2662 worked the job. Apparently the crew had not cars to take back to Akron on this day.
No. 2662, one of two locomotives to received this striking red and gold livery, is passing the former Erie Railroad passenger station in Kent.
On Wednesday I caught the Akron Barberton Cluster Railway local returning from Ravenna. it had GP40 No. 4005, which was formerly Rock Island 4700. It is shown passing the former Erie Railroad passenger depot, now a restaurant named Treno, in Kent.
Plans to develop a distribution and manufacturing center in Ravenna for Menards got a boost this week when the Ohio Rail Development Commission approved a $175,000 to the home improvement retailer to be used to rebuild a rail spur to the site.
Menards plans to spend $51.7 million to build a truss plant, bagging plant, transload operation, and a crossdock distribution facility in Ravenna.
It will be served by Wheeling & Lake Erie subsidiary Akron Barberton Cluster Railway operating over track once used by the Erie Railroad.
Officials have said the facility will create 90 new jobs.
Menards has said the facility will serve stores in Northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
The track to be rebuilt extends for a little more than a mile.
Earlier this month the Ravenna Planning Commission approved the plans for the facility, which will be located on 62 acres off Ohio Route 88.
The company will build trusses at the site and ship them by rail. The rail line will also be used to bring lumber to the facility.
Menards representatives have said the facility is needed because it is adding or has plans to open new stores in Northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
The Ravenna facility is expected to supply 30 to 35 stores although initially it will serve just 15 to 18 stores.
Construction of the Menards facility is expected to begin in 2021 and take a about year to complete.
In the meantime, the Ravenna City County has taken the first steps toward approval of a variance for a riparian (wetland).
The council is expected to approve the variance at its August meeting.
The variance includes a “notice of intent” permit to disturb more than one acre from the state, and a “nationwide permit” dealing with the wetland.
Menards also is seeking permits from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
There is something about this scene that bring to mind the word “lonesome.”
Maybe that’s because we see a lone Wheeling & Lake Erie GP35-3 pulling a lone tank car.
At least I thought it was a lone tank car until I enlarged the photo and determined that there are actually two tank cars.
But the compression from the lens makes the train look quite shot.
The train is westbound on the CSX New Castle Subdivision tracks in Akron on March 27, 2012.
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