On this day in 1976, Conrail was born. Comprised of Erie Lackawanna, Penn Central, Lehigh Valley, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Reading, Ann Arbor and Lehigh and Hudson River Railway, numerous bankrupt northeastern roads were combined into Consolidated Rail Corporation. Here's one of my few CR photos, taken in Cheyenne, WY (of all places!) in 2004:
I still miss Big Blue, now gone nearly 22 years. This Kodachrome dates from almost 32 years ago to the day, taken in the heart of PRR country at Altoona, PA on 04/04/1989. The 6277 was built new for the PC in 01/1971. The 1976 is a B23-7 built for CR.
I used to get so excited when I'd see a Conrail unit out here in Western Washington when everything was Cascade Green!
Conrail was a well run property that overcame a lot of adversity. Unlike the PC, it was blessed to have good railroaders in its executive offices, senior managers who cared about the road, and wanted to see it independent and prosperous.
CR GP-38 7860 at Bethlehem, PA in February 1983. The unit was helping to reshuffle fantrip cars, hence the Obs to the right.
