Westbound Grain Train in Akron

CSX SD40-2 No. 8070 is westbound on Feb. 28, 2012, in Akron with a grain train. The unit was built for the Louisville & Nashville in October 1979.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

By the Old Mattress Factory in Akron

CSX GP40-2 6163 leads a westbound train that was captured across from the old mattress factory in Akron on Sept. 3, 1987. The unit was built for the Chesapeake & Ohio in January 1978.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

No. 7598 Two for Tuesday in Akron

Here are two images of locomotives carrying roster number 7598 taken at different times in Akron. In the top image Baltimore & Ohio SD40 No. 7598 is eastbound on May 5, 1979. In the bottom image CSX C40-8 is westbound on Aug. 2, 2010.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Back in Service on CSX

On Monday afternoon I got word that a B183 empty coke train (formerly K183) was coming east on CSX.  Leading it were two engines still in YN2 paint.

Even better the lead engine was a GE C40-8W, which are extremely rare in Class 1 service. In fact all other Class 1s have retired this class, including CSX. But CSX has pulled some of these units out of the dead lines in the past year.  

My first catch was not that train but a Wheeling & Lake Erie train that was about to head west from Akron. 

I waited at a crossing west of the yard but when it finally came what had been a brightly lit scene was covered in clouds.

Fortunately, he was merely doubling up the train and not leaving just yet and the sun returned for his backup move. The motive power of two SD40-3s including the 7001 – a 50th anniversary Operation Lifesaver tribute unit – and an ex-FURX unit still in silver and green paint made a nice lash-up.

Next we waited at Howard Street but the clouds and then rain came but not the train.

By now the CSX train was nearing Akron so I went to the Tallmadge Road overpass.  It was still raining when the train arrived climbing the grade to Cuyahoga Falls.

Of course, it quit raining and the sun returned a few minutes after the train had gone by. But that’s Ohio weather for you.

Article and Photographs by Todd Dillon

CSX in Akron, Warwick

Here are three images made of CSX action on June 10, 2022.

The top and middle images were made of an eastbound train approaching the Wilbeth Road overpass in Akron. The bottom image features GP40-2 No. 6248 is in Warwick. The 6248 was built for the Baltimore & Ohio in March 1979.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Pair of Ex-Conrail Units Working for CSX

CSX C40-8W No. 7389 is eastbound in Akron on May 20, 2006. The unit was built in November 1994 as Conrail 741. Speaking of which, the 7389 is working with another Conrail unit that still displays its CR livery.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Quite a History With This Unit

FURX SD40 No. 3018 is eastbound in Akron on May 20, 2006, on CSX rails. This locomotive has quite a background. Built for Penn Central in December 1970, it would spend time on the Conrail motive power roster. It was property of National Railway equipment and, as seen here, First Union Rail.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Westbound in Akron Near Voris Street

A pair of CSX locomotives power a westbound auto rack train through downtown Akron on July 16, 2015. The two units have contrasting liveries, which was common at the time this image was made. The photograph was made near the traditional railfan hangout spot near Voris Street.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

CSX Two for Tuesday in Akron, Clinton

CSX GP40-2 No. 4411 leads an eastbound through Akron on Aug. 20, 2021, in the top image. The same train and locomotive is shown in the bottom image earlier in the day making a setout/pickup in Clinton at Warwick Yard. No. 4411 was built for Conrail as No. 3303.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Chessie System Motive Power Two for Tuesday

They are both CSX trains, but are running with lead locomotives still wearing Chessie System colors and markings.

The top image is an eastbound in Easton during what looks to be hunting season in fall 1987.

The top image shows a westbound in Akron on Feb. 28, 1988.

Photographs by Robert Farkas