~ Andy
The last operating NS locomotive wearing Conrail paint and markings, SD50 #5424, was rumored to be heading to the Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA to be rebuilt into an SD40E. We have been watching reported sightings for the past several weeks, starting as far south as Georgia. The loco was part of the consist on several trains running through Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and lastly to Conway Yard in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Finally on 7/21/13 about 4:10 pm, I got a call from Jacob Leukhardt that #5424 had been spotted in Leetsdale 45 minutes earlier and was on the move headed east. With little time to spare, I made a dash for Manor, my favorite railfanning spot, to await its arrival. Sadly, Charlie was not home to join me. After a short wait, eastbound freight train #10A could be heard climbing the grade through Irwin and its headlights came into view. The Conrail unit was the 4th loco in the consist, but I was able to squeeze off two shots as it passed by. It did indeed arrive in Altoona later that evening and is currently in the yard at Juniata Shops awaiting its transformation. Over 14 years after Conrail was split up, this was the last loco to wear blue paint. The end of an era has come -- farewell BIG BLUE! ~ Andy
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December 2023
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