Wheeling GP35-2 103

One day in the future, these old GP35's that currently roam on the Wheeling will be no more. Folks are currently missing the good old days when the SD40 was the standard on almost every train. Just wait, these 35s will be gone. Who knows what will replace them when that time comes. They are indeed a rare beast in today's modern world of EMD's 710Eco and GE's Evo fuel misers. Until that day comes, I'll just keep on snagging these old EMD classics hauling freight on the Wheeling.

W&LE GP35-3 103 at Falls Jct on 2-5-12

W&LE GP35-3 at Falls Junction with the 663 on 2-5-12.

Wheeling GP35-3 106

I don't know what it is about these Wheeling GP35 units I like to shoot so much. There is nothing really fancy about them except the Q-Tron system. The control stands are old school EMD, no AAR standard here. Not too long ago, I had to move a trio of them onto a train we interchanged to the WE to keep the air pumped up. No need to have another conductor do a Class 1 test. I notched up that trio of 35s and we started to move. Running these old high hood units is fun. There is something about these old 35s that I can't explain.

Today, I caught 106 on the 663 local shoving cars up the Solon Branch at MP16.5

Wheeling and Lake Erie GP35-3 106   1-22-12

Wheeling and Lake Erie Hiring Conductors

From time to time, someone will come up my locomotive window and ask they can get hired on the railroad.  If time permits, I explain to them what it is like to work for a railroad and what they should expect.  Then they will receive the run down one the different railroads in the area. Well I just found out that the Wheeling is hiring conductors for the first time in years. For those that want to roam around on the WLE, you can find more at http://www.wlerwy.com/employment.htm.

Steamtown's CN 3254

Steamtown's CN 3254.  Scranton, Pa.  12-27-07

CN 3254

Cleveland's Train Stations

While eating lunch today, I happened to stumble upon this website that list past and present train stations in the great Cleveland area. 

Enjoy!