In the 1970’s to the 1990’s, our group of rail fans visited Harrisburg and the surrounding areas including Rockville Tower, Enola, Cove and the lower area on the P&E. We met with Harrisburg resident Ollie Wagner and a few others during our visits. Some of my photos were taken with an Eastman-Kodak 35mm movie film offered by RGB from California. The slides have faded badly and the negative strips that came with the slides have not aged very well also. I have tried to color correct as much as I can, so I apologize for the quality.
My trip on the former PRR and Penn Central Middle Division, now Conrail, starts in the Harrisburg station. Amtrak also used the station, so a variety of trains are seen.
Harrisburg, PA Station
Harrisburg station looking east on July 15, 1976.
Harrisburg station looking west on a rainy September 15, 1979.
Harrisburg station and Harris Tower with some abandoned track and Paul Wilson and Charley “Snuffy” Smith are looking at the area in August 1977.
Abandoned track in Harrisburg station in August 1977.
Amtrak SDP-40F #632, which was built in July 1974, is ready to head west with the National Limited from the Harrisburg station in the evening of February 17, 1977.
Amtrak E-8 #417 with Train #41, the Broadway Limited, in Harrisburg station on February 17, 1977.
Amtrak Metroliner #884 has arrived at the Harrisburg station in September 1983.
GM6C demonstration electric #1975 is on display in the Harrisburg station on July 15, 1976.
Conrail E-8 #4022 is leading the westbound Broadway Limited at the Harrisburg station in August 18, 1977.
Former Penn Central SW-1 #8513 sits in the Harrisburg station on July 15, 1976.
PRR GG-1 #4859 is on display at the Harrisburg Station in 1990. The GG-1 has the Futura lettering scheme.
The old meets the new in the Harrisburg Station in August 1996.
Amtrak Metroliner #816 sits at the Harrisburg station between runs on May 7, 1984.
Amtrak E-8 #440 and others are westbound with Train 41 - The Broadway Limited - leaving the Harrisburg station in the evening in June 1980.
Conrail E-8 #4022 is the lead unit on the westbound Broadway Limited, train #41is leaving Harrisburg on August 18,1977.
West Fairview, PA
I spent a day in September 1979 in the Harrisburg area wanting to photograph the last days of the GG-1’s. However, it rained all day and I had heard the rain total was around an inch! I did go to West Fairview, PA for several hours and then headed to the station. Yes, I did get wet and the flash failed later that afternoon at the station, but it was well worth it! I did repair the flash at Ollie’s house later that day.
E-44 #4431 & #4443 are eastbound in the rain at West Fairview, PA on September 15, 1979.
E-44 #4414 is heading west at West Fairview on the rainy day in September 15, 1979.
Conrail Blue E-44 #4423 is heading westbound at West Fairview on September 15, 1979.
Conrail. E-44 #4427 on eastbound freight at East Enola, PA on rainy September 15, 1979.
GG-1 #4865 & #4835 with freight on rainy day in the east end of Enola, PA yards on September 15, 1979.
Later in the day, I photographed GG-1 # 4865 & 4835 at West Fairview in the rain on September 15, 1969.
u6Vd3eV0T5zUcMHYTKmILEyyMeQ.jpeg)
GG-1 #4886 & #4809 passes my van at West Fairview on the rainy September 15, 1979. I had to use my flash since it was overcast & rainy!
A few hours later GG-1 #4886 & # 4809 headed eastbound at West Fairview.
GG-1 #4852 & #4894 head west in the rain at West Fairview.
A front view of GG-1 # 4865 on the rainy day at West Fairview.
A blue GP30 #2249 & another GP30 with eastbound freight in the rain at West Fairview on September 15, 1979.
GE U33B #2910 leads a eastbound freight on the rainy Friday at West Fairview, on September 15, 1979. #2910 is a former Penn Central unit built in November 1968.
SD40 #6284, GP-38 #7894 and 2 more units are eastbound at West Fairview, on April 28, 1984. #6284 is a former Penn Central unit built in February 1971.
GP40-2 #3396, SD40-2 #6401 & SD40 #6308 are eastbound at the West Fairview crossing on March 12, 1984.
On September 15, 1979, I went back to the Harrisburg station to see what was running. It is a busy place for freight trains in those days.
GP40-2 #3359, built in April 1979, and B23-7 #2813, built in November 1977, with an eastbound coal train in the rain at the Harrisburg station on September 15, 1979.
SD40-2 #6470, SD40 #6302 & another unit are eastbound in the Harrisburg, PA station on that rainy September 15, 1979.
GP-30 #2207 with gondolas at Harrisburg, PA station in the rain on September 15, 1979.
B23-7 #1918, 1945 & GP unit with a westbound freight at the Harrisburg station in the rain.
E-44 #4452, #4400, #4432 & #4422 on heavy grain train in the heavy rain at the Harrisburg, PA yard on September 15, 1979. I photographed this train later in the day at the Harrisburg station.
E-44 #4452, #4400, #4432 & #4422 on the heavy grain train at the Harrisburg station. I counted 100 grain hoppers…that is a heavy train and the E-44’s were loudly whining as they passed!
Enola Engine House area
Enola, PA engine terminal on May 15, 1979. Check out the freight cars. Many ‘fallen flags’ are there!
Conrail Enola, PA yards with a sea of blue. Many different engines in May 1986.
The Enola hump & yards near the engine terminal on May 5, 1986.
Enola engine house area at the end of the electrics in March 1980.
Conrail E-8 #4020 & #4021 in green paint at the Enola, PA engine house on September 18, 1990.
Enola Diesel Terminal
Our group got a tour of the Enola Diesel Terminal in May 1986.
The 3 Ton gantry crane inside the Enola Diesel Terminal in May 1986.
SD50 #6793 is coming into the engine terminal. The terminal foreman guides the diesel in May 1986.
Enola Diesel Terminal and our friend Robbie is talking to the terminal foreman in May 1986.
GP-10 #7567 is being worked on in Enola Diesel Terminial in May 1986. #7567 started life as a PRR GP9 #7130 and was built in June 1957.
A GE diesel prime mover is being worked on in the Enola Diesel Terminal on May 5, 1986.
GE C30-7 #6606 in for servicing in May 1986.
GE B36-7 #5033 is being serviced in May 1986.
An EMD Prime mover is being worked on in May 1986.
SD50 #6757 is in for servicing in May 1986. Check the oil and clean the windshield!
More equipment in the Enola Diesel Terminal in May 1986.
Then we got a tour of the fuel pods!
The Tower overlooking the fuel pods at Enola on May 5, 1986.
Conrail diesels being fueled at the Enola fueling racks on May 5, 1986. GP-10 #7566, 7558 & SD40-2 #6470 are getting ready for their next assignment.
The fueling racks in Enola, PA. Diesels GP-10 #7566 & SD40-2 #6470 being fueled on May 5, 1986.
GP38-2 #7925 & #7950 at the fueling racks in May 1986.
The motor pit
E-44 # 4411 with the “PC” painted out but has not gotten the “CR” letters yet is at the motor pit in Harrisburg, PA on July 15, 1976.
E-44 #4426 & EMD experimental electric #1976 at MaClay Street yard motor pit in Harrisburg on July 15, 1976.
The Bicentennial paint scheme is on GG-1 #4800 & GG-1 #4886 are in the motor pit on July 15, 1976.
CR. GG-1 #4867 & #4865 are at the motor pit in Harrisburg on July 15, 1976.
Enola Yards
The west end of the Enola yards were our photo location since the old Iron Bridge provided a great access.
A view of the west end of the Enola yards on a hazy July 15, 1976.
The west end of the Enola yards as viewed from the Route 81 bridge in August 1984.
Ex- Lehigh Valley C-420 ALCO’s #406, 415 and 404 are getting their train ready at Enola on July 15, 1976.
Ex. Lehigh Valley C420 #406, 415 and 404 are departing west end of Enola yards on July 16, 1976. We will see this train at Rockville later.
GP-9’s #7181,7242 at the west end of Enola on July 16, 1976.
Ex-Penn Central GP38-2 #7944 is placing caboose #24042 on west end Enola ‘pimple track’ on July 15, 1976. #7944 was built in May 1972.
GP38-2 #7944 is switching a freight with 2 dead ex-Erie-Lackawanna RS-3’s at the west end of Enola on July 16, 1976.
GP-9 #7056, GP-30 #2205, & GP-9 #7008 are at the west end of Enola on July 15, 1976.
Yes, we did camp at Enola! Ed Kaspriske & Barry Trogu cooking dinner on July 15, 1976. Steak and corn on the cob…hmmmm.
Former Penn Central GP38-2 #7946 is drilling the west end of Enola yard on July 15, 1976. Many of the acquired diesels still had their former railroad’s paint schemes. Some still had their original railroad’s name. That time frame was great!
The in bound tracks at the west end of Enola in July 15, 1976.
SD40-2 #6472, #6427, #6379 and former CNJ SD-35 #6049 are entering the Enola yards in July 1984.
Ex-New York Central GP-9 that was rebuilt to a GP-10 #7554 at Enola at nighttime on October 14, 1988. the old Iron Bridge afforded access 24 hours, 7 days a week!
U23-C #6908 & 6906 are at the west end of Enola yards on April 28, 1984.
GE U23-C #6903 & #6905 are at the west end of Enola yards in the evening in September 1990.
SD35 #6041, GP-35 #3671, and another unit are entering the west end of Enola in May 1982. #6041 was former Jersey Central SD35 #2052.
SD40-2 #6118 & another unit are on the low line - track G at Enola on October 31, 1979.
SD40-2 #6366, that was built in June 1977 and #6448, which was built in September 1978 are entering the Enola yards in the evening in September 1980.
GP-40 #3246 which is a former Penn Central unit that was built in December 1968 and other units are inbound at the Enola yards in July 1978.
GP-38 #7839 & GP38-2 #8140 are leaving with a westbound freight from the Enola yards on July 17, 1984.
Enola action. A freight is inbound while another one is leaving on April 28, 1984.
Ex-New York Central & Penn Central GP-10 #7571, ex- PRR-PC GP-9 #7518, GP-35 #2262, ex-PRR-PC GP-9 #7519 with a freight entering the west end of Enola yards on April 28, 1984.
SD40-2 #6343, GP38-2 #8135, U-23B #2725 and GP38-2 #8176 are westbound at Enola yards on April 28, 1984.
Conrail maintenance work on the in bound tracks at Enola on September 15, 1981.
An interesting movement in September 1983.
GE U23-C #6908 & #6907 are making up a freight with coal hoppers in Sept 1983.
GE U23-C #6908 & 6907 are departing the west end of Enola with the coal train in September 1983.
A Conrail weight test car at Enola on July 18, 1984.
An SW-900 #8701 is entering Enola in July 1984.
SD-40 #6260 & GP40-2 #3337 are leaving west Enola in July 1984.
Conrail. Enola, PA yards with Chessie freight with GP40-2 #4298 leading. Crewman throwing the switch in September 1984.
Ex-Reading GP-30 #2185 is switching the yard as ex-PC SD-45 #6205 & SD40-2 #6421 are leaving Enola yards with a westbound freight on July 24, 1980.
Conrail SD-50 #6740 & GE C39-8 #6021 are heading west from the Enola yards in August 1987.
Many units are pushing a coal train into the Enola yards in July 1984.
Ex-Reading Company GP-30 #2171 drills the yard at night in September 1980. This yard never slept! If you wanted to take a photo here at night, you only had a few seconds as the engines never stayed still for long!
SD-40 #6382 & #6277 are entering the Enola yard at night in September 1981.
GP38-2 #7944 is switching cars at the Enola yards at night in September 1982.
Night time at Enola in September 1980. A freight is leaving the yards. I took this unusual photo from the Iron Bridge.
Ed Kaspriske explains the railroad operations to the girl from Marysville, PA in March 1981. She was jogging and asked a few questions about the railroad.
The Construction of the new bridge to replace the Iron Bridge on June 13, 1992.
The old Iron Bridge is still standing as the construction of the New Marysville bridge being built. The Iron Bridge in on right side in this photo on June 13, 1992
Rockville Bridge & Tower
Rockville Tower and the banner celebrating it’s 88th year in 1986.
Rockville Tower and the switch and signal levers on July 15, 1986.
Rockville Tower and the scribing on the window on July 15, 1986. The date indicates it was done by an operator who was assigned in from November 18, 1932 to March 29, 1933. History that is all gone now!
Rockville Bridge with a freight heading west with a former Reading Company diesel leading on July 15, 1976. This view offers a perspective of the bridge.
When Susquehanna River floods, it FLOODS! The high water marks are recorded on the Rockville side of the bridge. I took this photo in 1986.
Ex-E-L SD-45 #3604 & #3613 are on the approach to the Rockville Bridge in Marysville, PA on July 15, 1976.
Former Lehigh Valley & Delaware & Hudson C-420 Alco’s #406, #415 & #404 have crossed the Rockville Bridge, PA and are heading up the P&E on July 15, 1976.
Ex-PRR & PC SD-35 #6076 #6070 on the Rockville Bridge heading to the Northern Central on July 15, 1976.
Ex-Reading SD-45 #7604 & ex-PC SD40 #6282 are eastbound on the Rockville Bridge at the Rockville Tower on 7-15-76,
GP38-2 #8102, U23B #2728 & U23-C #6901 are approaching the Rockville Bridge with an eastbound freight on April 28, 1984. Route 11/15 is in the background in the photo.
GP-38AC, a former Lehigh Valley unit #7657, ex-PC GP-38 #7840 & GP-15 #1606 are on the Rockville Bridge approach in Marysville on April 28 1984.
GP-35 #2262 and GP-10 #7519 are coming off the Rockville Bridge track and heading tothe Enola, yards. #7519 was built as PRR #7058 in October 1956. this April 28, 1984 view offers a look at the Enola approach tracks.
TV train is eastbound on Rockville Bridge. I took this photo from the Marysville, PA side on April 28. 1984.
TV train westbound meets an eastbound freight on the Rockville Bridge. This photo was taken from the Marysville side on April 28. 1984.
SD40-2 #6440, B36-7 #5009 & 5003 are running light going to Harrisburg on the. Rockville Bridge approach in Marysville on April 28, 1984.
SD-40 #6271 and SD40-2 #6400 are eastbound on the Rockville Bridge on April 28, 1984.
SD-40 #6321, SD40-2 #6478 and SD-40 #6257 with a westbound train of auto frames on Rockville Bridge on March 12, 1984.
Amtrak F-40PH #269 with the eastbound Pennsylvanian on Rockville Bridge in March 12, 1984.
A Coal train is heading to Enola from Rockville Bridge with caboose #21285 protecting the train on April 28, 1984.
B36-7 #5034 passes a freight train that is heading north on the P&E in the haze on August 18, 1986.
SD40-2 #6386 is at Rockville Tower and heading onto the Northern Central line to Buffalo on a hot and humid afternoon on July 15, 1986.
P&E - Northern Central
At Rockville, a line went north. I was told it was the Northern Central and the P&E to Buffalo. In the PRR days of steam, there was a freight train that was nicknamed the “Buffalo Boxcar”. I am not old enough to remember steam but my friend Ed Kaspriske would travel with Bud Rothaar to photograph the last of PRR steam.
Alco C420 #406, #415 & #404 are northbound on the P&E along side Rt 322 on .July 15, 1976.
The ALCO’s are northbound on P&E at Halifax, PA on July 7, 1976.
Former Erie-Lackawanna SD-45 #3604 & #3613, both were built in June 1967, head north on the P&E on July 15, 1976.
Ex-EL SD45 #3604 & #3613 are northbound with freight CNF-1 as they pass the slide fence on P&E on July 15, 1076.
GP40 #7455 & others head north as the pass slide fence. Route #322 parallels the trackage for a while. I took this photo in March 1980 as we were going south.
Pacing freight trains on Route 322 on P&E in July 1978.
D&H GP-38 #7603 with ex Reading GP-39’s on northbound freight at W. Millers, PA on the Northern Central on July 15, 1976.
D&H GP-38 #7603, an ex-Reading GP39 #7406 & others at Millersburg, PA on July 15, 1976.
GE U-23B #2704, SD-45 #6154 are southbound with a freight train on the Northern Central heading towards the Rockville Bridge in March 1980.
U23B #2704 & SD-45 #6154 power an eastbound freight on the Northern Central heading to Rockville and then onto Enola in March 1980.
GE-U23B #2704 & SD-45 #6154 are eastbound on the Northern Central in March 1980.
A view of a barn with Mail Pouch paint on Route 322 north of Rockville in March 1980.
The Rockville Bridge crosses over the Susquehanna River in this view from route 322. We are near Rockville in March 1980.
Mainline to Banks & Cove, PA
The mainline crosses the Rockville Bridge and heads west to Banks Tower and Cove, PA. Our group camped at Cove on Friday nights before we traveled further to points west.
BanksTower
Our friend was the tower operator at Banks Tower. We were welcomed by Frank Reidlinger as he waves to us in August 1977.
Banks Tower in early Conrail days. I am at the window and Ed is standing next to Frank at the desk.
GP40-2 #3396, SD40-2 #6401 & #6408 are eastbound just east of Banks Tower in May 1984. I took this photo from the overlook on Route 11/15.
Ex-PC GP40 #8123, ex-Reading Company #3604 & an E-L unit with an eastbound freight on July 15, 1976.
Banks Tower with, 2 westbound freights at the interlocking signal bridge on July 15, 1976.
Conrail SD-50 #6736 and 2nd unit are westbound with a Pennsylvania Power & Light unit coal train on the former PRR/PC Middle Division approaching Banks Tower. Peters Mountain is in background in September 1981
Cove, PA
Cove was once a location for the track water pans in the steam era. The water would be scooped up into the tenders which meant the steam locomotives on the passenger trains did not have to stop at the water tanks to fill their tenders.
The only things left from that era were concrete piers.
GP40-2 #3337 & #3348, they were built in June 1978, are leading a west bound trailer train at Cove, PA on August 17, 1978.
Conrail SD45 #6239, PC built in August 1968, & GP38-2 #7978, built for PC in June 1972, are westbound grain freight at Cove, PA. August 17, 1978.
Amtrak F40PH #307 that was built in May 1979 powers the eastbound National Limited at Cove in July 1986.
SD40 #6293 which is a former PRR & PC unit and SD40-2 #6461 are eastbound at Cove in September 1983.
GP-40 #3272 & SD-45 #6236 on westbound TV train at Cove in the early morning rain on September 15, 1979. It rained all day when I was planning to cook breakfast and take the GG-1 photos at West Fairview.
Amtrak E-8 #447 & 2 other units are eastbound with Train #40, The Broadway Limited, at Cove in the rain on September 15, 1979.
GP40 #3179 & GP38 #7832 with westbound Pennsylvania Power & Light coal train in the early morning rain at Cove on September 15, 1979.
GE C30-7 #6600 & U33-C #6882 which is ex-EL #3314, then renumbered to Conrail #6577, are eastbound at Cove on August 15, 1978.
SD-50 # 6786, #6799 and GP40-2 #3356 are westbound at Cove in August 1991.
Our friend Charley “Snuffy” Smith is taking pictures at Cove in the early morning on August 17, 1978. I have to tell the funny story about Snuffy - he hated snakes and on this trip I bought one of my kids rubber black snakes. The previous night I placed it by his tripod on the concrete pad. A short while later, he was by his tripod and I shouted “Snake!”. He ran like heck, but later yelled at all of us! He did not think it was funny at the time, but laughed and found it to be funny later…
Ex-Penn Central SD45 #6233 & SW-9 #9139 are eastbound in the early morning haze on July 16, 1976.
We used Cove as our layover spot when we traveled west to other points.
