B&O GP30 in Akron

Baltimore & Ohio GP30 No. 6939 is in Akron on June 20, 1978. The unit was built in November 1962 and later was on the CSX motive power roster as a GP30M.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

B&O Switcher in Benwood

Baltimore & Ohio SW900 No. 9418 is between assignments in Benwood, West Virginia, on Nov. 25, 1972. The EMD product was built in 1955.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

When B&O Had That Chessie Look

The wayback machine has taken us back to Massillon on March 22, 1989, for another look at a Baltimore & Ohio geep in the Chessie System livery. It looks a little worn but that is to be expected.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

First Generation Diesel Power

A motive power consist of all first generation diesel motive power passes a boarding platform of Akron Union Depot and the Erie passenger station in mid 1968. The lead is Baltimore & Ohio GP9 No. 6467 would work for a number of other railroads in later years and be converted to a GP10.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

One Morning 53 Years Ago in Akron

The wayback machine is set for Aug. 18, 1968, in Akron at Union Depot.

In the top image, Baltimore & Ohio E9A No. 1455 has cut off from the westbound Diplomat in order to, most likely, add or remove a mail car.

Across the tracks the Erie Lackawanna’s westbound Lake Cities is sitting at its station.

In the middle image the Lake Cities can be seen pulling away from its station platform. It was not unusual for both passenger trains to be in Akron at the same time.

In the bottom image notice the family standing and watching trains on the EL platform.

Can you imagine joining this family and watching trains? I said “watching” because that is the dark side for morning photography.

Yet if you look carefully, the man appears to have a camera around his neck.

If you decide to use your own wayback machine and join me for taking pictures on this day, tell me seeing my photos 53 ahead in the future inspired you to join me to photograph Akron. I’ll believe you.

Article and Photographs by Robert Farkas

B&O Geep in Kent

Baltimore & Ohio GP9 No. 6454 is westbound in Kent in the late 1960s. The Geep was built in August 1956 and would later join the roster of the Maryland Midland. The photograph was just able to get beneath the pole line.

Photography by Robert Farkas

Difference of Several Years

In the top image CSX AC44CW No. 7004 leads a westbound in Akron on June 16, 2021, near Voris Street. In the bottom image Baltimore & Ohio GP30 No. 6913 leads a westbound passing an eastbound Erie Lackawanna train at nearly the same location on Jan. 14, 1973. What a difference a few years makes.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

B&O F7A in Kent

Baltimore & Ohio F7A No. 4580 is eastbound in Kent in the late 1960s. On the left side, a small portion of the B&O passenger station can be seen.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

B&O in Warwick in 1983

Baltimore & Ohio GP40 No. 4023 is westbound with an intermodal train in Warwick in September 1983. 

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Flashback Friday: 37 Years Apart in Clinton

These photographs were made in about the same location in Clinton 37 years apart. In the top image Baltimore & Ohio GP40-2 No. 4150 has a westbound in hand in February 1983. In the bottom image, CSX ES44AC-H No. 3134 leads intemodal train Q137 westbound on Feb. 17, 2020.

Photographs by Robert Farkas