We told the wayback machine to take us to the 1970s in Akron and pushed the random selection button. We wound up going back to June 1976 for some early Conrail action. Former Penn Central F units are leading train AMA heading to Hudson and then to Motor Yard in Macedonia.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Although still painted in its Toledo Terminal livery, switcher 9300 was working for Conrail at the time this image was made. The date is March 30, 1983.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Technically, this is a Conrail train. The image was made on July 2, 1976, in Akron and Conrail was a mere three months old. But NW2 No. 410 still wars its EL livery and markings and is working the former EL tracks. So we’ll call it an EL train even if it isn’t.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
To celebrate America’s 200th birthday many railroads painted or more of their locomotives in a special bicentennial livery, often featuring the colors red, white and blue.
The Erie Lackawanna was no exception. It transformed SD45 No. 3638 into a bicentennial scheme.
This image was made in Akron on June 14, 1979. The bicentennial is long over and the EL has vanished, with some of its components being folded into Conrail.
Shown leading a westbound Conrail manifest freight, the 3638 has since been renumbered 6669 and has had its EL identity either painted over or obscured. Note the “CR” initials toward the rear of the unit.
The train is on former EL track and passing a building once used by the EL and the Erie Railroad.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Conrail SD40-2 No. 6470 leads an eastbound trailer train through Mace in Massillon in May 1979. The 6470 was built by EMD for Conrail in 1978. The trailing unit appears to be a GP40 still in Penn Central black with minimal Conrail markings.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
At the time this image was made, this Canadian National unit was leased to Conrail. It is working in Stanley Yard in Toledo on Oct. 14, 1977.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Early Conrail motive power at its fines is on display in the yard in Canton on March 19, 1977. Pulling the eastbound train at SD40 6355, GP40 3079, and SDP45 No. 6686. The middle unit still wears Penn Central markings while the third unit still has Erie Lackawanna paint. The 6686 was built in June 1969 as EL 3655.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
These are Conrail locomotives although they don’t look like them. No. 6724 is an ex-Lehigh Valley Alco 628), No. 6754 is a former Reading Alco 630 while the 6731 is an ex-LV Alco C-628. The units were photographed in Cleveland on May 14, 1977.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
How is this for an early Conrail era scene? GP9 No. 7074 still wearing Penn Central paint leads another GP9 that has received Conrail blue near Voris Street in early 1979. Note the former Pennsylvania Railroad cabin car in the consist.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It’s two days before America’s Bicentennial celebration as well as the first year of Conrail operation. This Conrail switcher remains in full Erie Lackawanna paint as it works in Akron on July 2, 1976.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
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