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Gallery - Conrail

Conrail began operations on April 1st, 1976.

Conrail consisted of all of the lines from the Penn Central Railway as well as six other bankrupt railroad companies, all of which primarily operated in the northeastern US.

In February, 1976, the US Government passed into law the "Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976", which provided the necessary funding to revitalize the deteriorating freight railway lines, equipment and rolling stock of the seven railways.

In 1998, Conrail itself was split between the Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation.

In Niagara Falls, Conrail was the operator on the former Canada Southern lines to Detroit, which it had assumed with the overtaking of the Penn Central Railway. In Niagara Falls, these lines included the former New York Central Montrose Yard facilities, as well as the branch to Chippawa.

For more information:
Wikipedia article on Conrail

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Conrail scale test car 80061 is shown at Montrose Yard in Niagara Falls. This car was built in 1929 and weighs 90000lbs.

October 17, 1981 - NRM Collection

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Conrail (Ex-Penn Central) GP9 7434 in Port Colborne.

February 1978 - Brad Markowsky - NRM Collection

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Conrail 2286 & 6701 are at the top end of Fort Erie yard with caboose 46134, stenciled for Work Train Service Only.

May 9, 1982 - Niagara Railway Museum Inc. Collection

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Back when Conrail was still running into Canada on the former New York Central Lines, Conrail torpede tube GP9 #7440 (GMD April 1957 as NYC 6040) and GP7 5824 are seen on the shop track at Montrose Yard in Niagara Falls.

September 3, 1983 - J. Paul Jenter - NRM Collection


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