Western Maryland Two for Tuesday

Here are two Western Maryland geeps although neither is an original WM Geep but was transferred to tthe WM by the Chessie System.

In the top image No. 5972 and caboose C-2851 are in front of the freight house in Massillon on July 1, 1981. The bottom image shows No. 5971 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 1977.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Crossing Chippewa Creek South of Clinton

We’re looking down Chippewa Creek as Ohio Central GP8 No. 5407 and GP10 No. 7595 pull a train southbound on R.J. Corman tracks south of Clinton on May 25, 1996.

This photo angle is still available but encroaching vegetation on the left bank of the creek has diminished the openness of the view.

The photographer was standing by the bridge carrying South Second Avenue over the creek.

The Chippewa beyond the bridge flows into the Tuscarawas River.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

A Busy Akron Engine House in June 1973

Sometimes we forget how busy the Chessie System (Ex-B&O) engine facility in Akron was in the early 1970s.

It is June 1973 and this image looks down from the embankment that has the Chessie System mainline tracks.

This is not a railfan photo as much as a piece of Akron history. Not one locomotive is unobstructed, yet the image captures this busy facility in an original way.

There are ALCO switchers, B&O geeps, etc. without a trace of Chessie System yellow.

The yellow would come soon, but for one moment in 1973, this still looks like the B&O of the 1960s.

Without images such as this, Akron’s railroad history would be lost.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas