CP East Binghamton

The return of train 700, train 701 with the empty tanks going back to Montreal, rolls through the north end of East Binghamton following a crew change. The loaded train had gone south to Baltimore two days earlier. The new era had come to the D&H.

The C424s would stay in service for a few more years on the D&H, as CP had then quite a stable of them, and they fit right in with CP's power. One is at the fuel pad with a group of NS units, up from Potomac Yard.

Despite the dwindling variety of diesels offered by the two remaining builders by 1990, there was still a remarkable variety on NS, and they seemed to run systemwide, and onto connections. The line up at the East Binghamton fuel pad this day bears this out, as we see a GP 59, B32-8, and GP 50, models that were not huge sellers compared to the SD40 types and C30-7s that pervaded most of the big roads rosters at that time.

In the early days of CP operation, there was still outside work. The NYSW Alco was not unusual, but the Rahway Valley GE was a stranger in a strange land.

NYSW power would be a mainstay on the D&H lines well into the next year, and on stack trains it would run through along with CP power from Jersey to Buffalo til NYSW stopped getting stack trains in the late 90's. This move early in the CP regime shows the yellowjackets are still in their prime on the D&H as this 90 car MEBU rolls out toward BD.

BUME arrives at East Binghamton, pulling all the way to the south end to drop his train and take the power to the house. A yard job works at left, today using a GP 39-2.

Typically, the yard power at East Binghamton was an Alco, though other units would also get the assignment. Today, its road power in the form of an ex D&H 7600, now numbered 386 from its days with Guilford. Here it is working the south end, seen from Terrace Drive.

For now. Though CP road power had started to make itself known, and was showing up on most road trains, the yard power was yet to infiltrate on any significant basis at this point. So, we find D&H 5017 doing what it has done for the last few years. The sign also wears the company colors, but it will soon be replaced with a sign noting the new owners. The Alco will do better, lasting a few more years before it, too, is replaced by something in red.

Train 555 rolls by Terrace Drive as it makes its way into the yard behind a trio of NS units, common for this train at the time. The D&H unit was most likely picked up at Taylor to come up for inspection or maintenance. Today there are 60 cars in tow.

Train 555, the former PYRP from Potomac Yard in Alexandria VA to Rouses Point, crosses Terrace Drive at the south end of E Binghamton as the faithful record the event.

During the transition to CP oepration the new road tried out several different types of units to switch East Binghamton. One such was the RS 23,several of which came down from Canada to work here. They didnt fare too well, and didnt last long. A clean 8039 is at the north end on this March day.

There was a small trailer park on Conklin Road, almost adjacent to the CP engine house. Sometimes you could get a shot here if mothing was parked on the runners, such as on this day. A wide variety of equipment could be seen. Todays view has a PLM unit, a few CP units, a D&H lightning stripe GP 38-2, and a leftover from steam days, an old tender. whose purpose I do not now recall. The ex DLW yard tower can be seen at far left.

D&H 5017 was a constant presence in East Binghamton yard til the CP switching power arrived. Here it is working the north end. CPs influence has not completely taken hold, as you can see by the sign in the driveway.

D&H 5017 was one of the regular yard engines at Binghamton, and acted like a typical Alco-smoked like crazy. Here it is pushing a cut of cars into the south end of the yard. Note the EL division post for the Susquehanna Divisinn next to the running track, which used to be the DLW main.

D&H 5017 works a cut of cars at Terrace Dr, the south end of East Binghamton yard, with a tell tale Alco plume of smoke. Check the ex Rock box cars agains the engine. They, too, would soon vanish from the scene.

And a few NYSW units, including both F45s. There are a few other odds and ends in this shot taken from the trailer park next to the yard, including EMD test bed PLM 3041, and RS 36 5009, both partly visible. I was not able to get the numbers, but there is also a D&H GP 38 and a C424 back in the line.

Train 554 arrives at Binghamton with a CS unit and a PLM lease unit. This was unusual, as this train almost always got solid CP power, and frequently, Alcos.

Train 556 is ready to go out of East Binghamton late on a Saturday afternoon.

During the first few years of CP rule, C&H Alcos hung on, sometimes even on road trains. By and large, they had yard assignments, such a 5017 here smoking it up as it shoves 556s train onto one of the runners.

CP initiated scheduled service on several lanes when they took over the D&H. One set of trains was the 557/558 pair, between Toronto and Philly. They made a guaranteed connection with Binghamton-Montreal trains 553/554 at Binghamton. There was considerable effort made to make the connections, and mostly it worked. In the early going, the trains were often small, such as this 558 arriving at Binghaton with three 89 foot flats of COFC. The yard sign makes it plain where everyone's heart is.

Train 558 has come off the Susquehanna River bridge and is now making its way past a train dropped on the oen runner earlier as it heads for the yard and a pick up of cars off 554. It will change crews and quickly be on its way to Philadelphia. The view is from the old Conklin Av overpass at Holmes Crossing.

For years, the D&H worked their yards with Alcos. CP is continuing that tradition by assigning an RS 18, seen here working a cut at the north end. This job would evenually go to GP 9s.

Train 557 is getting underway at the north end, about to pass the blue D&H sign that CP will soon replace. Todays train has a C 424 leading, always a good show.

Train 558 arrives behind the usual museum pieces, seen from Conklin Av as it approaches the north end of the yard with 10 stack platforms and 10 freight.

Train 557 rolls out the north end of East Binghamton behind the usual power-a rebuilt GP 9 and an SD 40. Well have a good chase to Hornell with the short train of 9 stack platforms, 7 COFC and 7 freight.

CP 553 departs East Binghamton yard behind a mix of 6 and 4 axle MLWs

CP kept some of the old D&H Alcos running in yard and local service, as they were still serviceable for this purpose, though once in a rare while one would get out on a road train. One such unit was 5009, seen here switching the south end in a view from Terrace Drive.

A match up no one ever expected to see, D&H 5017 and CR 6615 together entering the CP yard at Binghamton. The reason for the strange pair is an emergency repair to one of the CR units traction motors at the CP shop. D&H 5017 was one of the last D&H Alcos to be retired.

Train 557 gets underway from East Binghamton with more than enough power to get its 27 COFC and 6 freight to Buffalo. Note the bridge pier being poured at the far right. The new Conklin Av overpass is being built to replace the ancient steel bridge the train is passing under. The new overpass will have a much more gentle S curve, to the relief of many motorists. This location is known locally as Holmes Crossing.

A power set has just come off an inbound train and is being moved to the engine tracks. The lead unit a C30-7, was soon to be retired.

A pair of rebuilt GP 38-2s rolls into East Binghamton yard. These are two of the ex LV units acquired at Conrail startup, most of which did not see this scheme til several-7303, 04, 07, 09, and 12-were rebuilt. The only survivor is 7312, all the others have been repainted into CP colors.

A combined 558/270 rolls into the yard to be split up and sent in its respective directions, 270 to Mechanicville, and 558 to Philly.

Train 554 arrives at the yard behind a pair of 4 axle Alcos and an M 636. This was a common sight in the early years of CP operation.

Prior to CP taking over, when the D&H used letter codes, this train wa MEBU, and often ran the Buffalo Runner to the Southern Tier, bypassing the yard. CP worked it more often than not, so we have the incongruity of a westbound going east(or south) into the yard. Here it is behind three GATX units, two of which-the yellow ones-would eventually be bought by CP. Todays train has 86 cars.

A crewman from the yard job rides the front platform as train 553 is put together at the yard. The unit hes riding on will be moved back in the consisu, and 5413 will be the leader.

During the early years of CP operation of the D&H, you never knew what you would see. Heres a 271 rolling into Conklin with 82 cars behind a SOO unit, ex NS/SOU SD 40-2 that has been changed to a B unit, and a straight CP SD 40 coming off the Susquehanna River.

Combined train 557/265 gets ready to go west behind a lot of powerled byÛone of SOOs 5 SD60Ms.

558 with a pair of consecutively numbered SD40s heads fos the south end of the yard and will soon be on its way to Philly

The 555 train arrives at E Binghamton with 38 cars, crossing Terrace Drive and on into the yard. It will continue to Montreal after being worked.

553 starts out of E Binghamton yard, passing the RS18 thats working the yard.

Train 261 comes in from the B&M behind an unusual power set.

An ex Southern SD40-2 with the cab amenities and controls removed, and windows boarded up is the middle unit on todays 553 at the north end of the yard. CP had several of these they cobbled together from ex NS units.

Train 553 rolls past the north end crossovers as it begins its trek north to Montreal with an interesting power set.

A GP 38-2 leads todays 270 train into East Binghamton yard, with the added surprise of a Precision National unit right behind.

A set of SOO power waits at the south end of East Binghamton yard while the ground man throws a switch. SOO 6411 would get repainted in the dual flags scheme within the next few months.

The 261 train rolls out of the north end as it starts its trip to Chicago. Ill chase this guy to Hornell.

CP used a lot of different motive power to switch East Binghamton. This day it was a pair of RS 18u's, seen working at the north end. These two units would spend over a year here in various local duties.

166 arrives at East Binghamton behind a red barn, common at the time.

SU 2 returns to Binghamton behind one of the STLH units and a lightning stripe.

CP 419 starts west out of East Binghamton yard for Buffalo