CSX Transportation Historical Society

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N&W/NS Weller Yard through the 1970s and 1980s

Rail Fan Adventure --

Here are some more slides that I scanned, taken from 1978 to 1987.

1. N&W acquired only 3 U30Cs in 1974 after getting a bunch of U30Bs 1967-71. U30Cs had dual controls, but were intended to run long end forward. SD45 1776 was painted for the bicentennial, but was repainted black by this time on 12-17-1978.
N&W acquired only 3 U30Cs in 1974 after getting a bunch of U30Bs 1967-71. U30Cs had dual controls, but were intended to run long end forward. SD45 1776 was painted for the bicentennial, but was repainted black by this time on 12-17-1978.

2. N&W 818-880-B&O 6971-2804-788 with 1576 and 1793 are parked beside the yard office on 03-03-1979.
N&W 818-880-B&O 6971-2804-788 with 1576 and 1793 are parked beside the yard office on 03-03-1979.

3. Note that B&O GP30 6971 buried back there.
Note that B&O GP30 6971 buried back there.
4. This string of cabooses indicate just how many conductors worked out of Weller in those days. A few are ex-Wabash. 12-11-1983.
This string of cabooses indicate just how many conductors worked out of Weller in those days. A few are ex-Wabash. 12-11-1983.

5. NS C36-7 8534 was built 05-1984. N&W 8530 was the last one built (1982) before the merger. 8530 had a single control stand, and the short hood was considered the front. 06-18-1984.
NS C36-7 8534 was built 05-1984. N&W 8530 was the last one built (1982) before the merger. 8530 had a single control stand, and the short hood was considered the front. 06-18-1984.

6. C36-7s 8536-8537 are practically brand new. They are set up to run long end forward. 06-18-1984.
C36-7s 8536-8537 are practically brand new. They are set up to run long end forward. 06-18-1984.
7. GP18 947-Southern SD35 3061 and ex-Erie-Lackawanna SDP45 6668 on 08-12-1984.
GP18 947-Southern SD35 3061 and ex-Erie-Lackawanna SDP45 6668 on 08-12-1984.
8. N&W bought 19 SDP45-2s for E-L. After E-L was absorbed into Conrail they came back to NS. They weren't equipped for passenger service, but that extra 5 feet allowed a huge 5000 gal. fuel tank. On E-L that allowed them to run the length of the system between Hoboken and Chicago.
N&W bought 19 SDP45-2s for E-L. After E-L was absorbed into Conrail they came back to NS. They weren't equipped for passenger service, but that extra 5 feet allowed a huge 5000 gal. fuel tank. On E-L that allowed them to run the length of the system between Hoboken and Chicago.

9. N&W 6502 was one of six "SD70S" models acquired 12-1980. They had single control stands, and the short end was considered forward. NS went on to acquire a bunch of SD50s. 08-12-1984.
N&W 6502 was one of six "SD70S" models acquired 12-1980. They had single control stands, and the short end was considered forward. NS went on to acquire a bunch of SD50s. 08-12-1984.
10. Ex-Wabash cab 562799 was built 11-1947 and retired 04-1988. It is on the rear of the "Levisa 2" mine run on 12-09-1984.
Ex-Wabash cab 562799 was built 11-1947 and retired 04-1988. It is on the rear of the "Levisa 2" mine run on 12-09-1984.

11. Southern 3238-NS 3192-6100 (SD40-2/SD40/SD40-2) have a "Dismal River Crew" at the west end of Weller Yard on 04-15-1986.
Southern 3238-NS 3192-6100 (SD40-2/SD40/SD40-2) have a "Dismal River Crew" at the west end of Weller Yard on 04-15-1986.

12. Another new GE model has arrived. C39-8s 8570-8591 (built 1985) have a whopping 3900 HP and run long end forward. 07-18-1987.
Another new GE model has arrived. C39-8s 8570-8591 (built 1985) have a whopping 3900 HP and run long end forward. 07-18-1987.

13. "GP40X" 7002 is one of the three acquired by Southern in 1978. These had single control stands and operated long end forward. These 3500 HP units were succeeded by a big fleet of GP50s. 10-25-1987.
"GP40X" 7002 is one of the three acquired by Southern in 1978. These had single control stands and operated long end forward. These 3500 HP units were succeeded by a big fleet of GP50s. 10-25-1987.

14. GP38AC 4121 was built for N&W in 1971 with dual control stands. The long end was considered forward. This was a model between the GP38 and GP38-2. Southern bought a bunch of 38-2s! I think "8W" is one of many air-activated switches throughout the yard. They're gone now. 10-25-1987.
GP38AC 4121 was built for N&W in 1971 with dual control stands. The long end was considered forward. This was a model between the GP38 and GP38-2. Southern bought a bunch of 38-2s! I think "8W" is one of many air-activated switches throughout the yard. They're gone now. 10-25-1987.

15. GP40 1369-9716-559-9734-1367 will be the pusher on a coal train headed over Raitt Hill behind a pair of C39-8s. Ex-N&W GP40s served as mother units to the 26 RP-E4D slugs. The slugs were rebuilt from old N&W GP9s and 18s and had dynamic brakes. Like CSX, NS tried them in the coal fields for a few years before larger units "cascaded" down. 01-22-1989.
GP40 1369-9716-559-9734-1367 will be the pusher on a coal train headed over Raitt Hill behind a pair of C39-8s. Ex-N&W GP40s served as mother units to the 26 RP-E4D slugs. The slugs were rebuilt from old N&W GP9s and 18s and had dynamic brakes. Like CSX, NS tried them in the coal fields for a few years before larger units "cascaded" down. 01-22-1989.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young