Conrail U25B No. 2623 is shown in Toledo on Nov. 11, 1979. The unit was built for the Pennsylvania Railroad in October 1962 where it had roster number 2523. Penn Central gave it roster number 2623 and that number carried over into the Conrail era. The Conrail Cyclopedia website does not show the 2623 as having been confirmed as having been repainted into Conrail colors. As was typical in the early years of Conrail, predecessor locomotives operated in their original liveries although with markings painted out or painted over with “CR” initials as is shown here.
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.
Conrail 5239, a former Erie Lackawanna Alco RS3 is in Youngstown on Sept. 4, 1978. The photograph was made by George Cheatwood of Akron and made available by Robert Farkas. As was typical in the early Conrail years, the original livery is intact but the EL markings have been painted over in favor of a simple “CR” on the the flanks and nose.
The bottom image was also made by George. EL 2571 is a GE U25B and was captured in Cleveland on April 7, 1979. It is well into the Conrail era but the 2571 still carries its EL colors and even an EL herald on its nose.
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.
We asked the wayback machine to take us to a time and place where we could see a motive power consist of mixed eras. That was how we wound up in Alliance on Dec. 23, 1978, to see a consist of Conrail, Erie Lackawanna and Penn Central liveries.
Conrail was just over two years old and such sights would not last much longer. Note that the ex-EL and ex-PC units have a CR initial stenciled on their flanks.
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.
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.
Conrail SD45 No. 6115 leads a Bayard-bound train south out of Alliance on Aug. 18, 1979. All three units are EMD SD45 locomotives with the middle one still painted in Erie Lackawanna colors.
Here are two similar views taken in Barberton by different cameras and lenses, so the scene is somewhat different.
In the top image, Conrail 3651 is westbound on Chessie System trackage on July 20, 1980. The train is going to Warwick and from there either to Massillon or Orrville and west. This was taken with a 50mm lens, thus giving a wider scene.
In the bottom image BNSF 7810 leads the Q016 eastbound on the CSX New Castle Subdivision on June 2, 2018. This image was taken with a telephoto zoom lens.
Here are some of the differences. In the newer photo CSX has one set of tracks, there is a different relocated bridge, the Akron & Barberton Belt water tower is gone, and an Akron Barberton Cluster switcher is visible.
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.
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