There are a few pictures by a photographer named Sal Suppa Jr. whose work is on George Elwood's web site. These might be detour train related.
I had the pleasure of talking with him while preparing my presentation for the 2017 Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society in Utica, NY. He gave me permission to use some of his photos. I did a brief look and here are 4 possibilities.
The one attached is of a U33C and a Penn Central Unit dated 9/76. In all my years walking and watching the Utica branch, I don't remember seeing so heavy power. Maybe one of the detour trains?? Not sure if the picture will go with this note since I was having issues loading it, but you can find it on the Elwood web site.
Go to Erie Lackawanna, locomotives, and click on U33C/U36C and look for the location "Utica."
There is an additional picture of 3 GP35's in the Utica yard with what appears to be a heavy train dated 11/74. I have seen, but cannot find, a picture of these units pulling up the grade by the old turntable working flat out heading south. Certainly not the local to Sherburne!
There is a picture of a U25B in Utica, (7/72) which might be typical Utica-Binghamton power for the day, but again to me it was unusual. There is a picture in one of my Morning Sun books of a u25B in a consist heading to Utica.
Lastly there is a picture of an SDP45 in Utica dated 9/76. Again, in all my years, I have seen GP7's and GP7's and GP7's etc but never an SDP 45.
I did however, see the E-8's on the troop trains in 1956(?) and maybe F units. Did not know much then, and I could not get out of my car seat!!
Sal Suppa Jr. has taken a lot of pictures in Utica of engines and rolling stock. Maybe not a house hold name, but I appreciate what he took and captured from my old home town.
Lackman
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