EMD SW1500

Probably the most well known switcher from the Conrail roster, the 121 EMD SW1500's were a 1,500 horsepower variation offered by EMD. Inherited from the PC, RDG, IHB and IU, all but five (which were retired and sold in 1982-1984) made it from 1976 to 1996 when a few were retired and sold off to regionals and/or shortlines. During the split in 1999, CSX and NS both got their share of this popular EMD switcher. CSX has since traded theirs to LLPX in exchange for higher horsepower road units, and as of mid 2009 NS has begun retiring their fleet of this venerable switcher.

Conrail 9618 at Abrams Yard in 1979

More than 3 years after the formation of Conrail, sister-units CR 9617 and 9618 are seen working their home turf at Abrams Yard. The pair is pausing for a crew change on October 27, 1979.

CR 1642 Leads WPAB-10 Departing Lansdale PA, September 1995

WPAB-10, the Lansdale to Abrams job, departing. Power today was GP15-1 1642 (with the labor-management decal on the nose) leading SW-1001 9405 and SW-1500 9595.

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 6555 at Huntington, MA. on 2/12/88. (2)

SW1500 9532 swings along in the trail of NHSE in Huntington, MA. on Feb. 12, 1988.

CR 7519 GP10 + CR 9563 SW1500 at CP CLINT

CR GP10 7519 (ex PC GP9 7058 nee PRR GP9 7058) + CR SW1500 9563 with mixed freight leaving yard (CP CLINT)

CR 7519 GP10 + CR 9563 SW1500 near West Cressona

CR 9423 at the Juniata Shops in 1984

Conrail SW1001 9423 (ex-RDG 2623) is beind the Juniata Shops with an oddly-painted SW1500, which has a PC-style slanty CR initialed on the hood. There is also an EL SDP45, which I cannot tell the number of. I have it narrowed down to 6668, 6673, 6677, 6679, 6680, or 6681. If anyone has the numbers of either of these units, let me know.

CR 9505 at Erie, PA

Conrail SW1500s Nos 9505 and 9541 are seen on an industry spur at Erie, PA in August 1997. Doug Davidson photo with permission

CR 9505 in 9/1980

CR 9505 9-1980 CRHS Collection

CR 9506 at Hollidaysburg PA 7/27/97

CR 9506 & 9552 are seen at Hollidaysburg PA on 7/27/97.

CR 9506 at Hollidaysburg PA 7/27/97

CR 9506 is seen at Hollidaysburg PA on 7/27/97.

CR 9509 SW-1500 Akron 05-88

Conrail SW-1500 9509 at Akron, Ohio May 1988.

CR 9517 at Cleveland, OH

Conrail SW1500s Nos. 9517 and 9511 at Rockport Yard on Aug. 25, 1991. Doug Davidson photo with permission

CR 9518 at Cleveland, OH

Conrail SW1500 No. 9518 at Collinwood Yard on the east side of Cleveland on Oct. 4, 1994. Doug Davidson photo with permission

CR 9521 at Natick, MA

Conrail SW1500 9521 passes by the US Army's lab in Natick, MA on 18 October 1983.

CR 9529 at Springfield, MA

Conrail SW1500 9529 at Springfield, MA, September, 1977.

CR 9530 With Local WHNO-06 At Watsontown, PA 9/15/92

SW1500 9530 lugs 19 car southbound local WHNO-06 back to Northumberland, PA. Train is passing thru Watsontown, PA, junction of the Watsontown Secondary track that travels 11.5 miles east to the PP&L Strawberry Ridge Power Station. September 15, 1992.

CR 9531 at Enola Yard

Conrail SW1500 is seen sitting at Enola Yard in 1986. What is probably the most interesting part of this photo is what appears to be CR 7440, the "torpedo-tube" GP9 in blue paint without and logos sitting third deep in line, behind SW8 8673.This unit had previously been one of the few Conrail units that had its bell and horns painted red, along with black battery boxes and side sills, indicating it was restricted to service in Canada only. Stuff like this is what makes Conrail a fascinating road to model.