I’ve Grown to Like This Image

Back in 1967, I caught this lash-up in New York Central’s Collinwood Yard in Cleveland. Even a decade or so ago, I would not have posted this because part of the lead unit is behind a building.

Today, I really like this shot of NYC 1763, 3463, and 3372. There is so much to see including an F7A, F7B, and an ALCO FB-2. Then add in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy covered hopper. 

As my wayback machine is in the shop, I don’t think I’ll be going back to reshoot this even if I could remember the exact day.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

First Glimpse of the Monongahela

John Woodworth and I first saw the Monongahela Railway and its treasures on Oct. 21, 1968. Here is a photo of the MRY engine facility in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Visible are four Monongahela Baldwin switchers, four ex-New York Central RF16A Sharks, and one ex-New York Central RF16B Shark. Thankfully, two of these NYC 1205 and NYC 1216 (after several owners) still exist in protected storage in Michigan.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

Late in the NYC Era in Painesville

John Woodard took me railfanning near Painesville in early 1967. Here is an image from that outing. A man on the ground is talking to the engineer of New York Central F7A No. 1685. The A-B-A set of Nos. 1685, 3462 and sits in the sun for a while before moving on.

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

One Day at the Collinwood Diesel Shop

It is early Penn Central most likely 1968 or 1969 in Cleveland where New York Central F7A No. 1809 is awaiting repairs by the Collinwood Diesel Shop workforce along with other locomotives.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Locomotive Finds at Collinwood Yard

It is late in the New York Central era or perhaps early in Penn Central Days. New York Central Alco RS3s No. 5344 and No. 5287 are joined by two EMD switchers, an ALCO FB, and an EMD E7A. all of them sitting in Collinwood Yard in Cleveland. Some of these locomotives might be used for parts or scrapped, others might be rebuilt or repaired, and still others might be repainted into PC paint.

Photography by Robert Farkas

Literally a Grab Shot

Sometimes you don’t have time to get into position to create a photograph. The photographer reports that he probably had just changed film while inside his 1967 Volkswagon when a passenger train began leaving Toledo Central Union Terminal on Nov. 29, 1968. It’s a Penn Central train but led by former New York Central E8A No. 4062.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

One Day at Collinwood

New York Central E7A No. 4004 and a sister unit are at Collinwood Yard in Cleveland sometime in the period of 1967 to 1969. Notice the old-style number boards.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Still Showing its NYC Heritage

Monongahela 1205 is still in its New York Central lettering and markings as it works in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in early 1969.

Photograph by Robert Farkas