Conrail's Port Road

 Conrail's Port Road Branch ran between Perryville, MD on the Amtrak Northeast Corridor on its east end, and CP-Mary on the Pittsburgh Line at the west. It is composed of the former PRR Columbia and Port Deposit Branch between Perryville, MD and Columbia, PA, the former Atglen & Susquehanna line between Columbia and Shocks Mills, where it crosses the Susquehanna River. On the west side of the Susquehanna, the former A&S joined with the former Northern Central line north into Enola Yard. The line largely saw nocturnal operations, as freight trains operating over Amtrak's Northeast Corridor were subject to a 10PM-6AM window to clear the NEC.

You can also view this gallery on an interactive map.

CLY Interlocking Tower and Station

Overall view of CLY Interlocking Tower and adjacent Station. CLY controlled the junction of the PRR's Northern Central Branch to Baltimore along with the PRR's Atglen & Susquehanna line to Columbia. The 2 tracks closest to the tower are the Northern Central Branch. This tower used an Armstrong Lever Machine. It was taken out of service sometime in 1985 or 1986 and demolished in the late 1980's.

CLY Interlocking Tower view of the Interlocking Plant

COLA Interlocking Tower

COLA Tower, in service for Conrail in 1979. Once the Port Road got CTC, the windows were bricked over and the tower was turned into essentially a large relay case. This tower is still currently standing.

CR 1995 and a manifest on the Port Road

Taken in the 1990's along the Port Road. Photo by Kevin Jones.

CR 3242 at DAY tower

Conrail GP40 3242 (ex-PC 3242) is seen entering Enola Yard at DAY tower in West Fairview, PA in 1983.

CR 4020 OCS on 8/20/85. (08)

After crossing Rockville bridge, the OCS enters Enola yard at Overview.

CR 4020 OCS on 8/20/85. (10)

The 4020 leads the OCS southward across Conodoquinet Creek on the Port Road at West Fairview, PA. on August 20, 1985.

CR 4020 with an OCS at Minnick, MD 8/98

Having run the Port Road in beautiful sunshine, the train would make a left turn at Perryville and head northbound to Philly..

CR 4409 Leads and Northbound across Shocks Mill Bridge.

Conrail E44's 4409 and 4418 power and Northbound freight across Shocks Mill Bridge.

CR 4409 Port Deposit, MD 5/79

E44's 4409 and 4458 have PIWA-5 in tow as it passes the Port Deposit Boat Club on 5/26/79

CR 4417 Perryville, MD 9/78

Two E44's power ENWA-3 passing under the B&O's Philadelphia Line and over Susquehanna Ave @ Perryville, MD

CR 4418 Minnick, MD 8/78

The two E44's are doing a good job keeping ENWA-2 moving toward the "Corridor" at Perryville. The WA in ENWA will later be changed to PY indicating Potomac Yard.

CR 4418 Washington Boro, PA 11/76

Two E44's lead by the 4418 power a Sparrows Point Coke train...

CR 4856 Cly, PA 11/78

GG-1's 4856 and 4801 power OIPI-7 through Cly, PA

CR 6151 at Columbia, PA 6/1998

Conrail C40-8W 6151 is seen powering a CIR circus train with the James Strates Carnival Train in tow at Columbia, PA in July, 1998. JB Kerr Photo

CR 6423 Safe Harbor, PA 2/86

Baltimore bound GRB-20 @ Safe Harbor, Pa

CR 6523 Minnick, MD 6/89

Two SD40-2's power an eastbound coal train at Minnick, MD

CR 6746 at DAY Tower

Conrail SD50 6746 is seen heading north into Enola Yard past DAY tower in 1986.

CR 7558 with work train WOR-201 at Columbia on The Port Road, 4/94

The Port Road - Columbia, Pennsylvania, USA
April 05, 1994
GP10 7558 on WOR-201
A pair of GP10s hold down a work train assignment on the formerly electrified PRR line along the Susquehanna River back in 1994. These rebuilt geeps would soon be retired by Conrail.
Photo by Don Kalkman III

CR 7854 Perryville, MD 3/80

The photographer gets a friendly wave from the crew of CR 7854 as it pulls outlawed D&H RPPY-6 into the clear of the single track @ Perryville, MD. The B&O's huge Susquehanna River Bridge looms in the background.

DAY Interlocking Tower

DAY Interlocking Tower protected the Southern (Eastern) end of Enola Yard. This tower was demolished while in service from a derailment.

EMD 1976 Perryville, MD 9/78

Powered by GM10C 1975, TV22 exits the Port Road and enters the "Corridor" for remainder of its run to Baltimore...

LEMO Interlocking Tower

Still painted entirely PC green, LEMO Interlocking Tower controlled traffic coming across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg Station, the Ex-Cumberland Valley Line to Hagerstown, and the Port Road/Northern Central Branch. In 1988 the tower was removed from the site by the Lancaster Chapter of the NRHS and re-located to the Strasburg Railroad where it has been restored to its former Pennsy appearance.