The last days of Reading colors at Abrams yard. February, 1977.
Author: Alan Page
A cool February day in 1977 was one of the last days of all Reading colors at Abrams yard. The day drew many railfans and Conrail did not disappoint. Numerous RDG SW1500's, and GP7's worked the yard, and two westbound PRSL and PC-led mixed freights rolled through. Six months after Conrail's startup, all SW1500's and their caboose mates, and all GP-7's were untouched by CR stencils. Though not working the yard, there were two SW1500's with small CR stencils in the engine terminal. The following week would see CR stencils applied to SW1500 9595 (RDG 2756) and GP-7's 5817 (RDG 625), 5828 (RDG 626), and 5835 (RDG 633). I was excited to try out my just purchased SLR. As a high school senior who worked at the local hobby shop, that was a big deal! These were my first photos taken with my Mamiya SLR, but I made the mistake of choosing in store processing(the long defunct Two Guys) rather than Kodak slide processing for my Kodachrome 64 film. I learned my lesson and used Kodak for all my slide processing thereafter!
Photo Gallery
A four axle foursome takes a breather at Abrams yard. Former PRSL GP-38 2001 (CR 7661) leads, followed by sister-unit 2007 (CR 7668), GP9 7157 and C425 2423 in February, 1977. RDG SW1500 2769 and N4 cabin 94065 wait for clearance in the background.
PC GP-30 2227 and SD45 6070 (ex-EL 3605) smoke it up as they lead PC GP 2210 and PRSL GP38 2003 (CR 7663) with mixed freight through Abrams yard in February, 1977.
PC GP-30 2227 and SD45 6070 (ex-EL 3605) smoke it up as they lead PC GP 2210 and PRSL GP38 2003 (CR 7663) with mixed freight through Abrams yard in February, 1977.
Former RDG SW1500 2759, soon to be CR 9598, works with N4-class cabin 92887(CR 18752) at Abrams in February, 1977. This caboose would later be preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ, and stored at Ridgefield Park.
Still in RDG livery at Abrams in February, 1977, SW1500 2759 will soon be stenciled CR 9598.
RDG SW1500 2759, soon to be CR 9598, is coupled to N4A class cabin 94065 (CR 18854) at Abrams yard in February, 1977.
RDG SW1500 2759, soon to be CR 9598, is coupled to N4 class cabin 92887(CR 18752) as they work the Abrams yard. This cabin would later be preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ. It is stored at Ridgefield Park. The 1972 Ford Country Squire station wagon was one of many railfans vehicles present at Abrams in 1977.
The crew of PRSL GP-38 2001 (CR 7661) makes a change by the Abrams yard office in February, 1977.
A quartet of mixed CR power, led by PRSL GP-38's 2001 and 2007, rolled into Abrams yard in February, 1977.
Former PRSL GP-38 2001 (CR 7661) leads sister-unit 2007 (CR 7668), GP9 7157 and C425 2423 into Abrams yard in February, 1977.
PRSL GP38 2001 (CR 7661) leads sister-unit 2007 (CR 7668), GP9 7157 and C425 2423 into Abrams yard in February, 1977.
Former PRSL GP-38 2001 leads a quartet of mixed CR power into Abrams yard in early February, 1977.
PRSL GP-38 2001 leads a quartet of mixed CR power into Abrams yard in early February, 1977.
Third and fourth in line behind former PRSL GP38's 2001 and 2007, CR GP7 7157 and PC C424 2423 pause before pulling through Abrams yard in February, 1977. RDG SW1500 2769 (CR 9619), a caboose mate, and a sister SW1500 wait for clearance in the foreground.
Former PRSL GP-38 2007 (CR 7667) lies second in a quartet of power pulling mixed freight into Abrams yard on a cool day in February, 1977.
PRSL GP-38 2001 (soon to be CR 7661) leads a quartet of mixed CR power at Abrams in early February, 1977.
Former PC GP7 7157 and C424 2423 fill out a quartet of units pulling through Abrams yard in February, 1977.
CR C425 2423 is at the tail end of a quartet of mixed CR power that rolled into Abrams yard in early February 1977.
RDG SW1500 2759 (CR 9598) and N4 class cabin 92887 take a brief rest from working Abrams yard on February 12, 1977. This was the last week that Abrams yard power remained pure Reading Lines. All SW1500's and their caboose mates, and all GP-7's were untouched by CR stencils. Though not working the yard, there were two SW1500's with small CR stencils in the engine terminal. The following week would see CR stencils applied to SW1500 9595 (RDG 2756) and GP-7's 5817 (RDG 625), 5828 (RDG 626), and 5835 (RDG 633).
The crew of RDG SW1500 2759 (CR 9598) took a coffee break at the Abrams yard office before returning to switching work on a cold February day in 1977.
Former PRSL GP38's 2001 and 2007, CR GP7 7157, and PC C424 2423 pause with their mixed freight by the Abrams yard office in February, 1977.
One of the longtime former Reading employees passes by his Abram's workhorse, RDG SW1500 2759 (soon to be CR 9598), in February, 1977.
In February, 1977, SW1500 2766 (CR 9616) and GP7 636 (CR 5838) work Abrams yard in their last days of Reading paint.
RDG GP7 636 (CR 5838) shows years of wear and hard use on its sides while working in Abrams yard.
GP7 636 (CR 5838) and SW1500 2766, in their last days of Reading paint, are part of a 4-unit switching crew working Abrams yard.
Former PRSL GP-38 2007 (CR 7667) lies second in a quartet of power pulling mixed freight into Abrams yard on a cool day in February, 1977.
RDG SW1500 2759 moves boxcars including 50 RDG boxcar 109313 at Abrams yard.
RDG SW1500 2770 (CR 9620) works with CR cabins 22841 (ex-PRR N5B class) and soon to be CR 18752 (RDG N4 class 92887) at Abrams yard. CR 18752 (built 3/41) was preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey at Ridgefield Park, NJ.
RDG SW1500 2770 (CR 9620) works with CR cabins 22841 (ex-PRR N5B class) and soon to be CR 18752 (RDG N4 class 92887) at Abrams yard.
RDG SW1500 2770 (CR 9620) works with CR cabins 22841 (ex-PRR N5B class) and soon to be CR 18752 (RDG N4 class 92887) at Abrams yard in February, 1977. CR 18752 (built 3/41) was preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey at Ridgefield Park, NJ.
RDG SW1500 2770 (CR 9620) works with CR cabins 22841 (ex-PRR N5B class) and soon to be CR 18752 (RDG N4 class 92887) at Abrams yard in February, 1977.
With my railfan buddy also capturing the moment, former PRSL GP-38 2007 (CR 7667) took a rest at Abrams in a quartet of mixed power in February, 1977.
RDG SW1500 2769 and N4 cabin 94065 wait for clearance at Abrams yard in February, 1977.