Erie Lackawanna F3A No. 8044 and two other units are eastbound in Kent in the late 1960s. The 8044 was built for the Erie Railroad in July 1947. The train is passing through the yard, which was one of the largest on the former Erie in Ohio.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna U25B No. 2511 leads a westbound in Kent in1967-1968. Other units in the motive consist include two other U25Bs, an Alco PA, and and F3B. While the PA and F3B were not likely to be running, this still photo makes one of those “There’s a prototype for everything.” Lash-ups. Note the semaphore signal and light tower for the yard.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It is the late 1960s in Kent. This view is looking railroad east toward the Erie Lackawanna passenger station. The two EL main lines are on the left while three team tracks are on the right. Even the westbound waiting shed is still there. With the frequency of trains, soon this scene will take on a life of its own.
Much has changed since this image was made. You can stand in this same location today and still see the West Main Street bridge and the passenger station. The grain elevator in the background suffered major damage in a fire in late 2022.
The area where the team tracks used to be is now a parking lot. The passenger shelter on the west side is long gone and rail traffic here is much diminished.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It is 1967-1968 in Kent. An eastbound Erie Lackawanna freight train whose lead unit is at West Main Street has just passed the passenger station hidden to the back right of the train.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna U25B No. 2506 is on the point of an eastbound passing the Kent passenger station in the middle to late 1960s. The 2506 was built by GE for the EL in September 1964. It was on the Conrail motive power roster until 1984.
The tip off that the photographer is standing by the Kent station is the boarding shelter on the west side of the tracks. In the approximate location of the boxcar is where a passenger car sits today. The Kent station is now a restaurant that has had several owners and names over the years.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Here is another one from a day of Erie Lackawanna railfanning with Mike Ondecker. EL Alco PA1 No. 856 is in Kent in 1967 or 1968. The PA was one of the two westbound-facing locomotives in the lash-up with the other one also being a PA.
I can’t remember which was in the lead, but one of the two had no heat in the cab while the other had a cab window that would not close.
The two engines swapped places, and the second was put in the lead. A very unhappy crew made its way west.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It’s 1967 or 1968 in Kent and the Erie Lackawanna’s westbound morning Lake Cities is at the station. It was scheduled through Northeast Ohio in the morning hours after its overnight journey from Hoboken, New Jersey. Therefore, there are far more images of the westbound No. 5 than eastbound No. 6, which reached Akron and Kent in the evening.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It is the late 1960s in Kent. An eastbound Erie Lackawanna freight is leaving the Kent Yard. The lash-up of motive power is an EMD F3A, Alco FB, Alco FB, EMD F3A and an Alco RS3. Today all that is left of this scene is one track ending in Ravenna.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Even in the winter of 1967/1968, Mike Ondecker and I knew this was special. As far as we knew at this time, Erie Lackawanna No. 7254 was the EL’s last operating Alco FA. It is shown here on the point of an amazing lash-up that includes an Alco FA, Alco RS3, EMD F3B and an EMD F3A. This train is heading eastbound in Kent. I’m thankful to have this memory.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
You can’t see all of the locomotives on this westbound Erie Lackawanna train in Kent. But the photographer’s notes show the train is powered by the 1052, an Alco RS3. Also in the consist are an EMD F3B, EMD F3A and a GE U25B. The image was made in the late 1960s. In the cut below are the Baltimore & Ohio tracks that today are the CSX New Castle Subdivision.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
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