Even in the winter of 1967/1968, Mike Ondecker and I knew this was special. As far as we knew at this time, Erie Lackawanna No. 7254 was the EL’s last operating Alco FA. It is shown here on the point of an amazing lash-up that includes an Alco FA, Alco RS3, EMD F3B and an EMD F3A. This train is heading eastbound in Kent. I’m thankful to have this memory.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Penn Central Alco RS11C No. 7603 has its PC roster number but its heritage is bleeding through. The image was made in Cleveland around 1968. The unit was built in July 1957.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
If locomotives could talk, what would they talk about? The hard pulls they had to make? The engineers who abused them? Their favorite engineers? The places they’ve seen? The close calls at grade crossings?
They would probably discuss all of that and more.
This image was made in late 1968 or early 1969 at the Norfolk & Western engine facility in Akron.
There is still a mix of N&W and Akron, Canton & Youngstown locomotives to be seen, including three Alco switchers, two Fairbanks-Morse road switchers, and an EMD geep.
All too soon the FM’s would go on to other locations and any AC&Y lettered locomotives would be re-lettered or repainted into an N&W identity.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The late Mike Ondecker made this image of Erie Lackawanna Alco RS2 No. 1009 in Akron in 1968. Note the Railway Express building behind the locomotive.
Photograph by Mike Ondecker
It is the late 1960s/early 1970s in Akron where Erie Lackawanna C424 No. 2409 is westbound long hood forward with a train underneath the pedestrian bridge where Wilbeth Road once crossed the tracks. The signal in the foreground belongs to the Baltimore & Ohio. You may notice the signal has a letter “P” on a plate on the signal mast. That means “proceed,” which tells the crew of a train that if it gets a red signal indication here it can proceed at restricted speed to the next signal. It does not have to stop here.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Here are a pair of Erie Lackawanna Alco locomotives working in Akron. Note that the engineer is looking toward the back of the train, which most likely is either working EL’s McCoy Street Yard or picking up/dropping off cars there. The image was made on July 23, 1972. Behind the train is the former Erie Railroad passenger station. Also visible is a sign promoting the Akron Beacon Journal with large letters “BJ.”
Photograph by Robert Farkas
May this new year be as special to you as this photo is to me.
The evening of Aug. 22, 1975, Mike Ondecker and I were given permission to visit Hallet Dock Company in Duluth, Minnesota, to photograph the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Alco HH-1000 that was being used by Hallet.
The morning of the 23rd came and it was a grubby, cloudy day. We arrived, and I took slides that at best were acceptable if turned into black and white.
Then it started to rain. It kept on raining till around 5 p.m. Mike noticed that there was sunshine coming through the motel room’s drapes.
He looked out and wanted to go. I thought it was a fool’s errand. What were the chances everything would be just right for a great photo?
Finally, I gave in. As you can see, I was blessed with this photo of Oliver Iron Mining 900 in perfect light.
Let’s hope 2021 was like that morning and 2022 turns out like that afternoon.
Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas
There are four motors in this motive power consist on the Erie Lackawanna heading west over Voris Street in Akron. We have here the 2506 (GE U25B), 2462 (Alco C425), 2458 (Alco C425), and 3622 (EMD SD45). The mage was made on Sept. 4, 1972.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The late Mike Ondecker and I found TVA Alco RSDA No. 31 in Grahamville, Kentucky, on Aug. 23, 1974. The unit was built in March 1945 for the U.S. Army.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
After seeing the article about the 2010 night photography outing with Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 at Fitzwater, it prompted me to look up my early attempts at night photography.
I found several sessions from 1984. When Dan Pluta still lived in the area, I teamed up with him, Marty Surdyk, Robert Surdyk and John Surdyk for one of those night photo shoots.
The May 26, 1984, event was arranged by Dan. At this time the RS3 that was previously on the Adirondack was operating on the Buffalo Southern (ex-Erie) out of Hamburg, New York.
We rode it six miles down to Eden to conduct our makeshift night photos using existing light and flashlights.
For a first time the results were pretty good. It’s hard to say which outing was a favorite. This and others to follow over the next week or two are probably all favorites.
Article and Photographs by Edward Ribinskas
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