Going north on NS line in Columbus, Ohio. On double stack train pulled by two NS engines with old long brown Pennsylania Railroad (PRR) engine in front. Why is this?
[#welcome] aboard!
I’m guessing what you saw was Norfolk-Southern’s Pennsylvania Railroad “Heritage” unit. Several years ago NS repainted a number of units in the colors of railroads that eventually (by one way or another) became part of the NS system.
Here’s the story.
http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/news/norfolk-southernsheritagelocomotives.html
Did the engine itself actually look old, or just the paint scheme?
It’s the Heritage unit, which might be starting to get a bit weathered by now. Scheme is new, to fit the new locomotive… like New Jersey Transit’s. But both evoke the tradition of over 50 years ago…
Since Jim didn’t know this, he has a treat in store:
There’s an app for his phone and a way to crowdsource sightings and information.
Once you have this you’ll be aware of all sorts of wonders nearby…
And if Jim wants something really permanent let me recommend:
NS Heritage Fleet by Benjamin L. Bernhart.
Published in 2013 by The Outer Station Project, 1335 Railroad Road, Dauberville PA. (610) 916-2433
https://www.ronsbooks.com/NORFOLK-SOUTHERN-HERITAGE-FLEET_p_18104.html
A hard cover full-color 80 page book that will look great on the coffee table and will come in handy during those trips to the “Facilities.” Hey, otherwise it’s wasted time, right? [;)]
Mine cost $24.98. Glad I grabbed it, even though I’m not a big diesel fan.
I look at it this way, those Heritage schemes will only last until the locomotive’s next trip to the paint shop, after that they’ll be history. Nice to have a permanent record!
I see prices are creeping up, but you can still get it for only a dollar more here:
Remember the PRR has been ‘dead’ since February 1, 1968 and the formation of Penn Centrail. For a ‘real’ PRR locomotive to have survived in revenue service for the past 53 years in today’s world of railroading is neigh on to impossible.
I know of a Pennsy Geep that’s still working, albeit on its fourth or fifth owner, including a paper mill and a tourist operation. Definitely not in PRR paint.