In the late 1950's the horsepower race was very heated and with the introduction of the 2500hp U25B from General Electric in 1960, EMD was caught short. It took 2 years to play catch-up and the result was the GP30.
Conrail units came from two predecessors that bought or inherited the 2250hp units. Reading ordered 20 units (5501-5520) from EMD in 1962 which became Conrail units 2168-2187. A total of 62 units from NYC and PRR were inherited by Penn Central (2188-2249) and became Conrail units 2188-2249.
The GP30 saw service into the early 1990's throughout the system. The final unit was retired in 1993.
GP30's 2248 and 2247 working the west end of Enola as pullers (?) on Dec. 26, 1982. (Cropped edition)
Conrail GP30 2248 (ex-PC 2248) is seen leading a westbound freight onto the Pittsburgh Line at Marysville, PA in 1984.
Conrail GP30s 2249 (ex-PC 2249) and 2245 (ex-PC 2245) are seen at the west end of Enola Yard in 1983.
Local freight A-1 returns to Morrisville on Track 1 at Princeton Jct., NJ
OIAL-0 has resumed its westward run after making a setout @ South Plainfield, NJ
GP30's were scarcer than hen's teeth on the B&A but, here on the B&M (!) we get two of them! Here's the 2186, with the 2174 right behind.
GP30 2174 in the UBO at Montague, MA.
In all the time spent on the B&A, this was the only time I caught a GP30 in the lead, and they weren't exactly common, anyway. The 2182 leads BOEL through Bancroft/Middlefield station at 14:42 on Oct.17, 1981. This one is definitely worth the chase, and off we go!
BOEL storming up through Ballou's/MP 135 in Washington, MA. at 14:54 on Oct.17, 1981.
BOEL passing the summit of Washington hill in Hinsdale, MA. at 15:04 on Oct.17, 1981.
