By 1973, the condition of the tracks in Marion used by Erie Lackawanna and Penn Central was rough as can be seen in this image of a westbound EL train. In the consist is a passenger car that probably is being ferried somewhere. No, the EL had not gotten back into the passenger business by running mixed trains. The Lake Cities, the last EL intercity passenger train, had ceased operating in early January 1970.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna Alco RS3 No. 1023 pulls a westbound train past AC Tower in Marion in December 1966. AC controlled crossings involving four railroads. Aside from the EL, trains of the New York Central, Norfolk & Western, and Chesapeake & Ohio passed by AC Tower when this image was made.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The late Mike Ondecker seldom took photographs of railroad operations but he enjoyed traveling to view them.
Except for using a Kodak Instamatic in 1967 and his aunt’s nearly 30-year-old 120 medium format roll film camera in 1968, I doubt Mike took another railroad photo after that.
He, John Woodard, and I had some amazing trips together. Mike was a great friend, first-class driver, and the person who got photographic permission.
Here are some of his Instamatic photos from what I believe to be the Erie Lackawanna yard in Marion in 1967.
There are a variety of scenes including locomotives, rolling stock of various railroads, the coaling tower, the hump and the hump tower. The selection also include some cars damaged in a derailment.
Article by Robert Farkas, Photos by Mike Ondecker
Erie Lackawanna No. 7091 sits at the engine house in Marion in December 1967. The unit was built by EMD in February 1949 for the Erie Railroad where it has roster number 709A. It was later converted to an F7A and given EL roster number 7101.
Even towards the end of its corporate existence the Erie Lackawanna tried to keep up a good image.
Case in point is this set of tired E units getting pushed through the wash rack at Marion in 1975. Of particular interest is that 817, the last E unit on the roster to still carry its porthole windows. The 809 was the lowest numbered E on the EL roster, renumbered from the highest numbered E unit on the DL&W (820) with the Erie/DL&W merger.
Neither unit had too many showers left in their future anyway as by late 1976 Conrail had pretty much taken all but the two passenger geared ones (825 and 833) out of service.
When you get to Marion on Sunday for the Akron Railroad Club’s longest day event, don’t forget to go to the Erie Lackawanna shops and sign a release.
They are friendly and who knows what you’ll see?
Two EL Alcos are inside the shop and a Rock Island GE is outside the shop on a warm summer day in the late 1960s.
Just remember to charge the batteries on your WABAC Machine. I’d also suggest bringing a film camera. You don’t want to stand out too much.
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