Delaware and Hudson RS36 and Conrail SD40 Artwork by Andy Fletcher

 A Delaware and Hudson RS36 moves a train from Alco to Binghamton.

Meanwhile, a Conrail SD40 leads a general merchandise train from Scranton to Pittsburgh.

Mike, Dave and The Railfan Omni Episode 6: Pittsburgh 1978

In the new episode of "Mike, Dave and The Railfan Omni" on my YouTube channel, Mike and Dave visit Pittsburgh in 1978.  While visiting the Steel City, they see Bessemer and Lake Erie, Conrail, Chessie System, Pittsburg and Shawmut and Union Railroad.  Watch on my YouTube channel https://youtu.be/gl6iAgJWrD8

 

Lehigh Valley C628 11"x17" Signed, Matted Print by Andy Fletcher

 A Lehigh Valley C628 Alco locomotive moves a general merchandise train from Oak Island Yard to Buffalo, New York.  As this train moves, autumn is in the air.  The winds of change are blowing throughout the Northeast, as many railroads, such as Lehigh Valley, are about to join Conrail. 

See my Lehigh Valley C628 11"x17" signed, matted print at customtrains.org

Happy 48th Anniversary to Conrail

Happy 48th Anniversary to Conrail!! 

 

Conrail Locomotives poster by Andy Fletcher

These Conrail locomotives move trains at Enola.  The GP35 leads a general merchandise train to Altoona.

See my Conrail artwork at customtrains.org

 

"Watching Trains At The Alto Tower" Music Video By Andy Fletcher

A Big Thank You to my friends Ron Flanary, Kevin M. Aurandt, Steve Myers, Dan Davidson and Marc Lingenfelter for contributing their great photos of Conrail, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak to help make my new music video “Watching Trains At The Alto Tower”. Watch on my AndyFletcherMusic YouTube https://youtu.be/lE6Qgs0yftE?si=7xpjnucb5R2YkkJ6

 

"Conrail, Paint It Blue" by Andy Fletcher

Thank you to my friend, Steve Myers, for contributing his great Conrail photos to help make my new music video “Conrail, Paint It Blue,” which pays tribute to the workers of Conrail and Conrail’s history. Watch the music video on my AndyFletcherMusic YouTube https://youtu.be/JPz0rC4oHU4

 

A Conrail Piggyback Train at Buffalo

This Conrail piggyback train heads west at Buffalo.  Today's train heads for Chicago. 

It is a cold fall evening, and after the train passes, we stop and get a cup of coffee.  In the distance, we hear the train making its way west.

See my Conrail artwork at customtrains.org

 

Erie Lackawanna Poster by Andy Fletcher

Erie Lackawanna was an underdog among the railroads of the Northeast, however, it remains in the hearts of those who worked for it and the fans who grew up along its tracks.  EL became part of Conrail in 1976.

To see my Erie Lackawanna artwork, visit http://www.customtrains.org/erie-lackawanna.html

A Conrail General Merchandise Train

This Conrail freight train carries grain from the Midwest, auto parts for industry and scrap metal to be fashioned into steel. Go Big Blue! #WhyWeNeedTrains 

To see my Conrail artwork, visit my website at http://www.customtrains.org/conrail.html

Railroad Celebration of 4th of July Engines: Bicentennial Locomotives #2

Many of our nation's railroads painted locomotives to celebrate our Bicentennial in 1976. My railroad celebration of 4th of July engines continues with locomotives painted for Missouri Pacific, Milwaukee Road, Conrail, Elgin Joliet and Eastern and Western Pacific. Have a Happy Fourth of July

To see my locomotive drawings and posters, visit my website customtrains.org

Railroads of Ohio

Ohio is a crossroads of railroads connecting the Midwest, the Northeast, the Great Lakes Region and the Ohio River. Railroads of Ohio connect people and places and connect agriculture, industry, manufacturing & mining.

See my railroads of Ohio poster at my website customtrains.org

Railroads of Pittsburgh-A Cornerstone of American Industry

Pittsburgh has long stood as a cornerstone of American industry, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny into the Ohio River.  Pittsburgh's appetite for iron and ore and its output of steel has made it a key railroad city for generations.  Pittsburgh is long associated with the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Baltimore and Ohio, Chessie System, Conrail, Pittsburgh and Lake Erie, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Canadian National Amtrak, Bessemer and Lake Erie, Union Railroad and many others. Pittsburgh suburb Oakmont is also the headquarters of ASLRRA member Carload Express.

To see my 11"x17" Railroads of Pittsburgh poster, visit my website customtrains.org and/or my eBay store

Congratulations Ron Batory on Being Named Head of USDOTFRA

Congratulations to Ron Batory on being confirmed the new Administrator of the USDOTFRA.  Ron is truly a great railroader, a great leader and a great person.  We are lucky to have Ron at the helm of the USDOTFRA. +Norfolk Southern Corp. #heritage #Conrail #GoBigBlue

My New Bicentennial Engines From New England 11"x17 Poster

My new poster of Bicentennial engines from New England railroads is one of the new items available on my website.  The drawings are available as magnets, matted prints and postcard.

To see my New England Bicentennial Engines 11"x17" poster, visit my website customtrains.org and/or my eBay store

Thank You Conrail For Supporting Our Troops With Yellow Ribbon SD50 #6707

The Conrail Yellow Ribbon SD50 #6707 leads an Altoona bound general merchandise train around the Horseshoe Curve.  A Big Thank You Conrail for supporting our troops with locomotive #6707.

To see my Conrail 11"x17" poster, visit my website customtrains.org and/or my eBay store.

Drawing of the Day-August 30, 2015 Amtrak Empire Service FL9

Today I drew an Empire Service FL9 for my friend, Amtrak engineer David Todd Magill.  Amtrak Empire Service operates between New York City, Albany and Buffalo.
Amtrak acquired its FL9s in 1978 from Conrail.  The FL9s served for many years in Empire Service.

Watching Conrail While Living in Altoona

It was always fun to watch trains while in Altoona.  When I took a break from drawing, often we would go down by the railroad museum and watch Conrail go by.
Westbounds were just preparing to climb the Horseshoe Curve, and eastbounds prepared to cut their helpers off.  After a few hours, I was ready to go back into the studio and draw again.

Drawing Trains On Rainy Days in Altoona

While living in Altoona, Pennsylvania, I loved rainy days where I could sit inside and draw.  The stormy skies reminded me so much of the gray days I saw in my book on the Pennsylvania Railroad by Don Ball, Jr.

As the storms would lift, it was fun to sit and watch Conrail on a sunny day that followed.  Many of my drawings from that era were inspired in such a way.

Drawing of the Day August 14, 2015 Port Authority of Allegheny County "PA Train"

When is an F-Unit also a PA? When it is the "PA Train" of the Port Authority of Allegheny County! I just drew PA Train F-Unit #6690 for fans of the PA Train.
I read about the PA Train in Railpace magazine as a teenager and remember seeing its commuter trains side by side with Conrail and Chessie System locomotives.  I thought it would be a great Flashback Friday to draw PA Train F-Unit #6690.