Posts Tagged ‘early Conrail in Akron’

EL Monday: Waving From the Caboose

May 8, 2023

It is June 5, 1976, and thus early in the Conrail era in Akron. A crewman is waving from the Lehigh Valley’s Bicentennial caboose as it heads west on ex-Erie Lackawanna trackage. 

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Some Penn Central, Some Conrail

February 14, 2023

It’s a winter day in Akron and although Conrail has been in operation for more than three years its motive power still shows signs of it being a transition era. GP38-2 No. 8019 has minimal Conrail markings but has yet to be repainted blue as has been sister unit 2568. The 8019 was built for PC in 1973 and is shown leading a westbound on Feb. 3, 1980.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Northbound in Akron in Early Conrail Days

January 27, 2023

Former Penn Central SD35 No. 6022 is northbound in Akron on May 26, 1977. Very likely, this train is heading to Hudson and then on to Motor Yard in Macedonia.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Very Early in the Conrail Era in Akron

November 9, 2022

Penn Central SD45 No. in Akron on June 29, 1976. It is on the point of a westbound near Voris Street. Trailing behind it is a former Erie Lackawanna unit. This image was made during the early months of Conrail.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

It’s No Longer Penn Central

September 25, 2022

Appearances to the contrary, this is an early Conrail photo made in Akron. Penn Central F7A No. 1782 is westbound on June 5, 1976. Very soon the train will arrive at Conrail’s ex-Pennsylvania Railroad South Akron Yard. The unit was built by EMD in November 1951 for the New York Central.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

EL Monday: Life After the EL Disappeared

August 22, 2022

Maybe we should call this former Erie Lackawanna Monday. Conrail SDP45 No. 6686 is working in Akron on Aug. 3, 1976. It may be a Conrail unit, but it still wears its EL colors. Note that the unit now has Conrail initials on its nose and flanks.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

EL Monday: Still Showing the EL Look

March 21, 2022

Erie Lackawanna GP35 No. 2581 is westbound in early Conrail times in Akron. My notes say I made this image in June 1978, but that seems too late for these two locomotives to be operating without a CR stencil somewhere.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

EL Monday: Another Early Conrail Memory

March 7, 2022

Erie Lackawanna GP25 No. 2554 is on the head end of a westbound Conrail freight in Akron on Nov. 20, 1976. The unit was built for the EL in September 1964 and would later receive Conrail roster number 3660.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Early Conrail Action in Akron

December 16, 2021

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

EL Monday: Work Train in Akron

November 15, 2021

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