EMD GP38-2

The most populated series on the EMD side of the CR roster were the 223 inherited GP38-2's from Penn Central. Conrail also purchased 115 brand new GP38-2's between 1977 and 1979. The entire roster filled the 7940 – 8281 block. The four axle units churned out 2,000hp and were regulars in all types of service.

Equipped with plows on both ends, several were cleared for use at the PP&L Strawberry Ridge, PA power plant (8040 – 8064) and others were equipped with bi-directional cab arrangements (8154 – 8162). The PC GP38-2’s were built without anti-climbers while the Conrail ordered units, 8163 forward, were. A small handful of other subtle differences can be found when comparing the different orders such as the fuel spout revision, nose ventilation lovers, an additional latch to the control compartment door, etc.

Afternoon at State Line on 8/3/83. (14)

GP38-2 8280, the next to highest number unit of that group, leads PWSE by State Line at 17:38 while the ballast cleaner waits for him to clear.

Albany Port Job CP-SK Selkirk, NY

The Albany Port Job rolls of the Albany port Branch and onto the Fast Freight @ CP-SK Selkirk, NY

Boston Line on 8/1/81 (F)

With an unusual lash-up, even for this point in time, it'll be worth a chase for more photos of BOEL.

Boston Line on 8/1/81 (H)

One of BOEL's crew is taking in the fresh air as the train assaults the grade through Bancroft, MA.

Busy at Bancroft, MA. on 7/3/81. (1)

Westbound ballast train BLR173 grinds through Bancroft, MA. at 18:06 on July 3, 1981. As I noted on the description page with these 6x7 transparencies, these 5 GP38-/2's and lone B23-7...."engs working VERY hard!"

Camp Car Extra GP38-2 8070 Bogota, NJ

GP38-2 8070 powers a Camp Car Extra made up of the old and the new...

CR 1644, CR 9595 and CR 7874 relaxing by the shores of Lake Lansdale in September of 95

Conrail GP15-1 1644, SW1500 9595 and GP38-2 7874 relaxing by the shores of Lake Lansdale (aka the SEPTA parking lot).

CR 1901 Allentown, PA 12/78

B23-7 leads AP-20 out of Allentown Yard across the Lehigh River towards "BURN"....

CR 1904 Elmwood Park, NJ 3/79

BICR-8 has just resumed its eastward trek toward Croxton Yard after making a NYS&W setoff. Note: The shatterd window in the door!!!

CR 2323 ConPit Jct, PA 10/81

OIPI-2 crosses over at ConPit Jct. to run the Conemaugh to Pittsburgh

CR 2905 Allentown, PA 3/78

HAE-8 rolls through "BURN" and approaches Allentown Yard.

CR 3154 Wormleysburg, PA 3/79

ENGP-3 hustles out of Enola and heads for Cloumbia, PA and will run the A&G, Trenton Cutoff and Northeast Corridor to North Jersey and the Greenville Piers.

CR 3640 Weehawkin, NJ 11/81

ENSE-9 works north of the River Line between Hoboken and Weehawkin, NJ... This WAS the Combat Zone.. Trains didn't stop around here if they could help it!!! The good looking track to the left was the EL Weehawkin branch.

CR 5443 at Bancroft, MA. on 9/26/81. (2)

GP38-2 8010 has the trail in the extra 5443 west at Bancroft, MA. on Sept. 26, 1981.

CR 6394 Banks/Marysville, PA 3/79

PIEN-3 with the 8244 and PIOI-3 with the 6394 are held at "BANKS" four days before my 35th birthday

CR 6405 Bailey, PA 8/82

PIEN-6X at track speed through Bailey, PA

CR 6606 at Bancroft, MA. on 4/14/84. (2)

GP38-2 8123 in the trail on BOEL at Bancroft, MA.

CR 6713 Owego, NY 2/87

SD50's 6713 and 6709 with GP38-2 8184 in tow power OIBU-1 at Owego, NY

CR 7760

CR 7760 and some CR and PC lettered geeps at Dearborn, MI on February 6, 1977. Photographer unknown, Chris Howe collection

CR 7889 12-15-96 Easton, PA

Conrail 7889 12-15-96 Easton, PA WPAL-10

CR 7944 - GP38-2 at Steelton, PA

Former PC 7944 is seen at Steelton, PA on 11/13/1983. This unit was part of a group of GP38-2's that were returned to EMD; it became EMDX 744 then IAIS 702.

CR 7947 in Middlefield, MA. on 12/30/82. (1)

GP38-2 7947 at the head of a group of 4 axles handling NHSE near the "art colony" in Middlefield, MA. on Dec. 30, 1982.

CR 7947 in Middlefield, MA. on 12/30/82. (2)

NHSE's headend going away near the "art colony" on Dec.30, 1982.

CR 7949 GP38-2 Alliance 02-85

Two sets of helper power meet at the east end of CP Alliance on a cold but sunny February 1985 day. The 7949 would be one of the 100 leased GP38-2's that EMD called back after their 15 year lease was up. Many then went to work out on the Union Pacific from '87 to '89, this one as UPL 749. That nice PRR signal bridge has since been replaced.

CR 7958 GP38-2 Kansas City July 1978

With a skyline not normally associated with Conrail photos, Kansas City, Mo., a trio of Conrail units on a Santa Fe run through train is just about to enter the ATSF Argentine yard in Kansas City Kansas. This whole area has changed a lot with the rebuilding of the Santa Fe Junction area (bridge in the background) into a flyover junction with these tracks now on an elevated ramp.

CR 7964 on SPSE at Middlefield, MA. on 10/18/82.

Going away shot of SPSE's head end at the "art colony".

CR 7969 at Chicago, IL

Conrail GP38-2 7969 is seen powering a short local across the Calumet River drawbridge on Chicago's South Side in 1986.

CR 7975 Hornell, NY 6/4/1978

A pair of black GP-38-2s, a U33-B, and a SD-45 in blue wait at Hornell for a recrew.

CR 7978 in Pittsfield, MA. on 2/26/83.

CR 7978 departs CP 148/North Adams Jct. with SPSE at 10:40 on Feb. 26, 1983. The train had just made a 19 car plus one caboose pick-up out of the junction yard. With the single-tracking of the B&A in the late '80's, CP 148 was replaced by CP 147 to the east of the Junction Rd. overhead and the signal bridge and "Y" signal mast became extinct. Another "Y" signal mast on the other side of the overhead also went away.

CR 7983 Sayre, PA 3/24/1978

A crew puts their power and caboose away in the Sayre yard.