July 2022 Scenes from Akron

Here are three images made in Akron on July 30, 2022. In the top image, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad FPA-4 No. 6771 is southbound approaching Akron Northside Station as the train crosses over the remains of the Ohio and Erie Canal.

In the middle image, the 6777 is is being towed south and will be the lead unit on the northbound trip.

In the bottom image Wheeling & Lake Erie SD40-2 No. 7006 is on the connecting track between CSX and the W&LE. In a few minutes the former CEFX unit will pull forward bringing its train onto the Wheeling. Then it will back down to Brittain Yard.

The Wheeling acquired the 7006 in December 2015 and quickly pressed it into revenue service.

Photographs by Robert Farkas

Double Shot of AC&Y Heritage

Wheeling & Lake Erie GP35-3 No. 107, the Akron, Canton & Youngstown heritage unit, leads a train over the ex-AC&Y bridge in downtown Akron on Oct. 8, 2014. The trestle spans the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Photograph by Robert Farkas

Steam Sunday: Crossing River Styx

It is Oct. 8, 2014, east of Medina where Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 is crossing the River Styx trestle. The Berkshire-type locomotive is heading home to New Haven, Indiana, from the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Steam in the Valley excursions and is westbound over the former Akron, Canton & Youngstown-built trestle. Paul Woodring was there also.

Article and Photograph by Robert Farkas

Crossing the AC&Y Trestle Over the Canal

The heritage of the Wheeling & Lake Erie’s Akron Subdivision dates Northern Ohio Railway, which would later become part of the Akron, Canton & Youngstown that began operations in 1912.

One lasting feature of the AC&Y is a 13-span 690-foot trestle built in 1926 over the Ohio & Erie Canal in downtown Akron.

This image was made on Aug. 22, 2006, in early evening. My memory is that I was on my way home after a trip to Coshocton to discuss an upcoming Akron Railroad Club steam excursion behind Ohio Central No. 1293.

I’m not happy about the utility pole in the image, but I couldn’t get into a better position to get both locomotives. The view is at the far eastern end of the bridge.

Steam Saturday: Headed for Steam in the Valley

Paul Woodring and I chased Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 No. 765 eastbound on the Wheeling & Lake Erie on Sept. 19, 2010. The Berkshire-type locomotive is shown west of Medina heading for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Steam in the Valley 2010.

Photograph by Robert Farkas