Thirty years ago today-April 1, 1976

[Aa3rt]

Thirty years ago today, April 1st, 1976 Conrail officially took over operation of the Central Railroad of New Jersey (Jersey Central), Erie Lackwanna, Lehigh & Hudson River, Lehigh Valley, Penn Central and the Reading, later to include the Ann Arbor.

Often overlooked in the merger (or takeover, depending on your perspective) were three shortlines that were jointly owned by the previously named railroads-the Buffalo Creek and Niagra Junction in western New York State and the Ironton in eastern Pennsylvania. Any others that I may have missed, or forgotten about over the ensuing 30 years?

[kinlock]

Not sure how many of these were only "paper", but:
The L&WV (EL) = Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley
The WN (CNJ) = Wharton & Northern
The MHM (CNJ) = Mount Hope Mineral
The IUR (PRR/PC) = Indianapolis Union Railway
The T-PT (RDG) was the Trenton-Princeton Traction Company
CUTC (NYC/PC) was the Cleveland Union Terminal Company
(NYC/PC) Chicago River and Indiana Railroad Company
(NYC/PC) Dayton Union Railway Company
Ironton Railroad Company
Raritan River Railroad Company
Union Depot Company, Columbus, Ohio


Wasn't Niagara Junction gone by then?

[Aa3rt]

Wasn't Niagara Junction gone by then?

No, the NJ was still an operational entity. After absorption by Conrail it wasn't too long before electric operation ceased, with three of the ex-Niagara Junction units going to Metro-North. Pantographs were removed and replaced with third-rail shoes.

For some photos of NJ locomotives, try this link:

http://www.davesrailpix.com/odds/ny/ny.htm#njct

WARNING: Takes a LONG time to download if using a dialup connection.

[Aa3rt]

Giving this topic a "bump" for the 35 year mark.

[videobruce]

Need to re-name the title.