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
The wayback machine has taken us to Alliance in December 1974. Conrail is still two years away and Norfolk Southern is still the name of a regional railroad in Virginia and North Carolina. This is a Penn Central town and we see U25B No. 2743 on an assignment.
Photograph 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
Erie Lackawanna 2456 is westbound in Akron sometime between 1967 and 1972. This is an Alco C425, EMD F7B, GE U25B lash-up that is putting a ton of smoke in the air as it accelerates out of McCoy Street Yard and passes beneath Thornton Street.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Sometimes it’s the scene and not just the locomotive. It is the summer of 1967 in Dennison, Ohio.
My friend Mike Ondecker and I have left our usual railfanning locations to go to see the Pennsylvania Railroad in Dennison.
In a few months, Penn Central will change everything, but for today, this is still Pennsy history.
PRR U25B No. 2608 is working the yard and has come east of the road at the east end of the yard. Soon, the GE U boat will back into the yard and resume work, but for now let’s soak in the summer sun and the scene.
There is so much to see. As an example, check out the Insulbrick on the East End Restaurant. Insulbrick was similar to the shingles that you might find on a house.
It is made with a brick design and used on the sides of a building.
Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna U25B No. 2509 is eastbound in Akron in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The train is passing the EL passenger station.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna GE U25B Nos. 2516 and EL 2517 and their train are in Akron in August 1975. This looks like a local that would be just the right size for a small model railroad.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna GE U25B No. 2510 sports a one-piece windshield as it leads an eastbound train through Kent in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
Erie Lackawanna U25B No. 2506 is eastbound in Kent in late 1967/early 1968. Notice the westbound shelter with the bad gutter, the boxcar on the team track, and someone’s 1958 Buick.
Courtesy of the wayback machine we’ve been transported back a few decades to another time when the Erie Lackawanna was still a vibrant railroad.
In the top image, a westbound EL freight is in Akron in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Notice the interesting signal mast.
In the next image, EL Alco C424 No. 2408 is in the yard in Kent in the late 1960s. Trailing in the motive power consist is GE U25B No. 2515.
Below that we see four EL E8A locomotives in Kent in the late 1960s/early 1970s.
Finally in the bottom image the photographer is standing beneath the overhand of the Kent passenger station to capture an eastbound train.
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