Yo Tom Mann...

[rswinnerton]

Sorry you couldn't make the pilgrimage to PA with Ed yesterday. Not only did you miss seeing our friend JB in control of some serious train (We got video) that had some pretty good weathering projects in it (SOO GON!!!), but you missed a tour of Conrail's former Lucknow rail welding and cutting plant. We got permission from the MOW superintendant to give it a once over, so we checked out the entire place over about 3 hours. Check out Ed's pics...
http://picasaweb.google.com/ed.kapuscinski/LucknowJan2008

Maybe next time dude!
Russ

[railbuilderdave]

Some nice photos, where is this plant located? 

[rswinnerton]

It's located in Harrisburg, PA next to the Harrisburg Intermodal Yard (GI8), just off I-81. It produced most of the welded rail Conrail replaced. Some of the Lucknow rail can still be spotted as it has a metal tag with "Lucknow Rail Facility" stamped on it.

[tom mann]

How about President's Day?

[rswinnerton]

Here's an ariel image of some of the equipment at the rail plant. That's a MINT X58 boxcar, Gondola (Forget the class), and a rail handler. You can also see the overhead crane in the background. The Latitude and Longitude are also on there if you'd like to look it up. www.maps.live.com works well.
Russ

[rswinnerton]

We could probably do something.. If we can get Ed out of bed....lol
Russ

How about President's Day?

[Bob Bufkin]

Lucknow's been around for awhile.  Back in PRR days they probably cut up and disposed of more old freight and passenger cars than anyone else in the country.

[rswinnerton]

Lucknow's been around for awhile.  Back in PRR days they probably cut up and disposed of more old freight and passenger cars than anyone else in the country.

We were told by the MOW Superintendant that it'll stand for quite a while longer also as it would cost them more to tear it down that it would get them in scrap value. Many of the buildings have been cannibalized though. It's a shame, but at least some if it's still there.
Russ

[railbuilderdave]

and they let you walk around the place for 3 hours.  that had to be great.  I think I would have run out of batteries on my camera if I had 3 hours and I would have more photos than I would know what to do with
d

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It was an awesome trip.

There actually wasn't that much there, but sometimes you've got to explore to see.

It was a cool opportunity. There's something good to be said for legitimacy.

BTW, here's the monster:


The pic sucks because we were shooting right into the sun here.

Don't miss the Dash9:

[rswinnerton]

and they let you walk around the place for 3 hours.  that had to be great.  I think I would have run out of batteries on my camera if I had 3 hours and I would have more photos than I would know what to do with
d

I know Kris Klemick (Conrail6055) took 200+ pics and I took some video that will soon be on YouTube.

Ed- Nice pic of the Dash 9...Looks like he's "ready to go"?
Russ

[3rdrail]

Ed, do I see what I think I'm seeing in this photo? PRR-type position light signals on a new style signal bridge?? If so, that's most interesting and wonder why??

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh yeah, those are PRR position lights.

I'm not sure what the story was, but I'd put dollars to donuts that they were replaced under big blue.

[rswinnerton]

Not sure why the bridge was replaced, but if they weren't ready to convert it to the Amish Bonnnets, they may have put the old heads back on until they're ready to convert the signal controllers. When they switch to new signals, they have to install new electronics. Unfortunately, they will fall one day.

[Mark5]

FWIW, in some cases NS has actually installed new Postion Light Sigs on the old N&W ...