CONRAIL

This page begins at the famous PRR yard at Enola and will extend west over the former PRR Middle Division toward Altoona.  Once a four track mainline across the state of Pennsylvania, Conrail gradually reduced the number of tracks to two mainline tracks.  Most of the images seen below were taken in the late 1970's and mid-1980's.  Obviously changes have occurred since then aside from the railroad now being owned by Norfolk Southern.  Many of the old towers located along the line are gone and perhaps some of the old passenger stations, as well.

We'll begin at Enola.  As the car load traffic began to drop off, Conrail no longer needed such a large classification yard that was Enola.  As a result the yard operations were drastically reduced.  Conrail also discontinued using the electrified wire and the electric motors were retired by the early 1980's.

      Several views taken from the adjacent highway showing numerous freight motors in the engine terminal.  These shots are from November 5, 1978.

  Two brand new SD40's pass some old GG-1's near the hump.

  This pair of switchers works the very east end of the yard under the now unused catenary poles.

Just north of the Harrisburg area lies the famous Rockville Bridge.  The first images here are from the east side of the bridge where Rockville tower is located.  The four track main swings west and crosses the Susquehanna River.  The line heading north follows the river north to Northumberland.

    SD40 6429 is westbound passing 'Rockville' tower.

    GP38 7899 brings several other units running lite past the tower.

    GP40 3193 leads two other GP40's east crossing the river and passing the tower.

  Former Canadian Pacific 972 is on an excursion stopping at Rockville tower for a runby. 

Now over to the other side of the river.

     Former PC GP38 7757 brings a train over the Rockville Bridge and into the yard on 4-10-77.

   A Paducah rebuilt GP10 comes out of the yard with a transfer.

   A set of blue GP38's swing around the sharp curve leading into the yard.

  An ex-Reading GP35 and an ex-EL SD45 head east on the main just west of the Rockville Bridge.

  5077 with what is probably Mail-9 crosses the bridge on July 30, 1989.

  C-40-8 6038 swings eastward on the main and is about to cross the bridge. 

   5023 leads a westbound TV-11 piggyback past the Marysville depot on June 21, 1985.

  SD35 6033 brings an eastbound train of autoracks through Marysville, Nov 5, 1978.

  Just west of Marysville sat (sits?) "Banks" tower.

  SD40 6277 rolls an empty hopper train past the tower.

    An eastbound with a leased BAR GP38 sits at Banks waiting for yard space.  11-5-78.

  6277 again this time rounding the big curve at Perdix.

  GP35 2272 is eastbound also at Perdix.

  SD40 6296 eastbound near Duncannon, PA.

   Former Penn Central SD35 6022 brings a train of empty hoppers westbound through Duncannon in 1978.

  GP40 3376 rolls west passing the old passenger depot at Duncannon.

  GE B-30-7 5045 brings TV-79 west at Newport, PA on June 21, 1985.

  GP40 3299 leads Mail-9 past 'PORT' tower also on June 21, 1985.

  F40 361 leads Amtrak's "Broadway Limited" east at Millerstown. PA.  11:15 am, only a few hours late.

  GP35 2272 swings around the lazy S-curve at Thompsontown.

    Westbound B-23-7 1927, an older U25B and another GE head west at Thompsontown.  11-78.

  SD50 6764 westbound at Mifflin.

    3309 brings Mail-3 through Mifflin, PA.

  Mifflin Tower, June 21, 1985.

    GP38 8148 rolls west at Denholm, PA.  This was once the location of track pans used by steam locomotives to scoop up water while moving.  This is why there is a rather open area here.

  6827 on a coal train and    3373 westbound with a high and wide extra at Denholm.

  GP38 8076 westbound passing the station at Lewistown, PA.  The station was undergoing restoration at the time.  1985.

    Lewistown Station following restoration work,  Note the station sign.  October 1990.

  The eastbound 'Pennsylvanian' makes a stop at Lewistown.

  B-40-8 5076 flies through town eastbound.

  Several GP10's sit in the modest engine terminal.  1990.

  Near the west end of the yard sits 'Lewis' tower.

To continue on to Altoona,  Click Here