Once Rivals Now Uneasy Teammates

Early Penn Central provided some interesting lash-ups coming through Akron. Mike Ondecker caught former Pennsylvania Railroad 2210, a GP30, and former New York Central No. 1753, an F7A, northbound in the summer of 1968.

Photograph by Mike Ondecker

One Day in Akron Near the Union Depot

It is early in the Penn Central era (1968 or 1969) in Akron. A northbound PC freight headed by three former New York Central locomotives is heading east on the joint tracks shared by the Baltimore & Ohio and PC. More than likely, this train will cross over at Arlington Street to the ex-PRR line that runs from Akron to Hudson and go north to Motor Yard and beyond.

The train is passing the west end of Akron Union Depot.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

Special Time in Cleveland Railroad History

Sometimes a scene captures a special time in history. It is Feb. 24 or 25, 1968, in Cleveland. The Penn Central era had begun less than a month (Feb. 1) prior to this photo.  New York Central No. 1049, an Alco FA-2, sits near the diesel shop at Collinwood Yard. In the far background are a few PC boxcars. Had these not been there, this would look like a NYC photo.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

Early Penn Central Action in Canton

It is the early Penn Central era in Canton, either late 1968 or early 1969. A westbound freight has a motive consist of Penn Central, Pennsylvania and a Bangar & Aroostook unit. This lash-up and its train are about to meet an eastbound freight.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Early in PC Era But Still an NYC Look

It is very early in the Penn Central era in Painesville. How early? The merger of the New York Central and Pennsylvania railroads was less than a month old.

So there was still plenty of motive power around carrying the markings of those carriers, including NYC F units 1675 and 1702, and PRR GP9 7146, which are wheeling a westbound on Feb. 24, 1968.

There was still passenger service here then, hence the boarding platforms in the foreground.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

NYC F7A in Toledo

Although Penn Central had been in operation for more than eight months when this photograph was made on Nov. 29, 1968, former New York Central F7A 1696 was still looking much its former self as it sat in Toledo.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Early in the Penn Central Era

It is in the fourth week of the Penn Central era (Feb. 24/25, 1968) at the Collinwood engine facility in Cleveland. Former New York Central 1111, an Alco FA-2 is framed near the center of the frame. Two other NYC units can also be seen in part.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Penn Central’s Fort Pitt in Canton

It may be a Penn Central passenger train but the westbound Fort Pitt had a pair of Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives pulling it as it arrives in the station in Canton on May 30, 1968.

Nos. 4309 and 4304, a pair of E8A locomotives, are on the point today.

No. 4309 had been built for the Pennsy in January 1951 as No. 5809. It would later become an Amtrak unit, work for Conrail and end up becoming Juniata Terminal 5809 wearing a PRR livery.

The Fort Pitt, however, would not have the same history. The Pittsburgh to Chicago train survived until the coming of Amtrak when it was discontinued.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Where Was My Pole Filter?

In 1969 when I photographed Penn Central No. 8305, a Fairbanks-More H12-44, was still wearing New York Central paint as it sat in the scrap line in East Altoona, Pennsylvania. Sadly I had left my “pole” filter at home.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Stored in Harrisburg

These Penn Central E7s were still in their Pennsylvania Railroad or New York Central paint schemes when I encountered them stored in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1969.

Photograph by Robert Farkas