Norfolk Southern Takes Over The Middle Division

Come along for a look at the former Pennsylvania Railroad line over the Alleghenies and around Horseshoe Curve in the first half of the 21st Century’s first decade, as remnants of Conrail survived even as the Norfolk Southern image had firmly taken hold.  The show begins with a quick look at the last day of Conrail before its splitting up between Norfolk Southern and rival CSX.  Videographer George Redmond went trackside on the former P.R.R. mainline between Effingham and Vandalia, Illinois, to capture the end of the Conrail era.

Next, we head to Pennsylvania for several visits in 2004 and 2005.  There was no doubt that this was now a Norfolk Southern route, complete with Triple Crown roadrailer trains!  But among the black diesels sporting the thoroughbred logo, there were still plenty locomotives still showing off their Conrail blue.  It was a time that N.S. was short of power to the point that a number of new G.E. locomotives were delivered in primer, bypassing the paint shop to get them on the road fast.  Several of them make an appearance before the camera.

Locations include Cassandra, Lilly, Cresson, Gallitzin, Horseshoe Curve, and Tyrone.

There is plenty of mountain railroad action, as there are numerous meets and trains racing side by side in multiple locations.  Additionally, we see plenty of train from Amtrak’s Keystone Service and the Pennsylvanian makes an appearance; complete with a refrigerated boxcar bringing up the rear.It’s plenty of action during the transition from yesterday to today.