By the time Dick made it back to Conrail country in 1981, much progress had been made. Sadly, some older diesels and the electrics were off the roster, but more power had received the much-needed attention by the shop forces. If you look at the 1979 collection and then at the 1981 images, you can tell the tide had turned in Conrail's favor.
1
Conrail Class N5B caboose 22925 brings up the markers on an eastbound TV train at Duncannon, PA in 1981.
2
A westbound mixed freight is climbing Horseshoe Curve in 1981, with the assistance of CR GP38 7912 and GP40 3217.
3
Conrail SD40-2 6397 is leading CR GP40 3220 (ex-PC 3220) and CR SD40-2 6388 on an eastbound mixed freight at Cresson, PA in 1981. MO tower is at the left edge of the picture, with MOW equipment in the yard in the background.
5
CR GP40-2 3393 is seen leading a mixed freight while SD40-2 6417 works with a ballast cleaner at CP-Conpit in New Florence, PA in 1981.
6
Conrail SD45 6087 (ex-EL 3622) is seen shoving an eastbound train into the Allegheny Tunnel at Gallitzin, PA back in 1981.
7
Conrail SD45 6174 (ex-PC 6174, ex-PRR 6174) is trailing a pair of other units on an eastbound TV train approaching VIEW tower in 1981.
8
Conrail SD40s 6346 and 6456 head east towards the Amtrak Station in downtown Harrisburg, PA in 1981.
9
Conrail SD40-2 6365 is seen heading west at CP-UN in Gallitzin, PA in 1981.
10
CR 6372 and CR 6394 are seen passing the venerable ALTO tower at Altoona, PA. A common sight in 1981, but now only on rare occasions can one re-create this shot.
11
Conrail SD40-2 6433 and GP40 3052 (ex-PC 3052, nee-NYC 3052) are pulling an eastbound mixed freight into Gallitzin, PA in 1981.
12
Conrail SD40-2s 6497 and CR 6457 provide braking assistance on the rear of an eastbound TV train at Bennington Curve in 1981.
13
A trio of GP38-2s, including CR 8094 and CR 8116 pass Rockville tower as they head north onto the Buffalo Line in 1981. Today, the tower is gone, as are the blue maintenance vehicles, the Geeps went to CSX, and railfanning here is a good way to get oneself cited for trespassing. Sad how times change...
14
A 1981 view of the dead lines at East Altoona in 1981. Among the cars pictured are H54 covered hopper 890415 and ballast hopper 51734, The turntable and foundations of the old East Altoona roundhouse are seen behind the lines of stored cars. East Altoona was once the largest roundhouse in the world, servicing as many as 350 steam locomotives a day. It was closed in early 1968 and demolished that year.
15
CR 9090 (ex-PC 9090) and CR 8962 (ex-PC 8962) are seen in a line of Conrail pups at Morrisville, PA in 1981.
