Back before Amtrak made all of its seating "reserved", many peak period Regional trains would run standing room only. While most travelers probably found this sub-optimal, I saw a distinct silver lining in having an excuse to ride in the rear vestibule. While normally frowned upon, crews would let it slide, if they could even get back there, if the train was sufficiently SRO. During one such occasion in 2003 I wound up with a pretty good set of photos running between Baltimore and Philadelphia.
We'll kick things off exiting the Union Tunnels north of Baltimore Penn Station. Unlike the problematic B&P tunnels, the "old" two track tunnel was supplemented by a new one in the 1930's as
part of the electrification project.
BAY interlocking was no longer is service on main tracks #2 and #3, however the old tower still stands behind the Milepost 91 intermediate signals.
Two former Conrail GP38-2's at Bayview Yard, #5304 still wearing Conrail colors.
Passing an AEM-7 hauled southbound Regional near milepost 79 north of the Gunpowder River bridge.
Closed WOOD tower at Edgewood, MD.
Bush River Movable Bridge. Unlike the bridge over the Gunpowder River this span still opens once each in the morning and afternoon on summer weekends. However it requires an MoW crew to un-bolt the rails.
Some sort of MoW vehicle on the center track near Aberdeen.
Movable span on the Susquehanna River bridge and adjacent PERRY tower in Perryville, MD.
Kicking up dust passing the closed Elkton. MD station.
NS GP15-1's #1414 and #1418 at the Newark, DE yard serving the adjacent Chrysler assembly plant that was still in operation. Former Conrail units, the GP15 was a oil crisis era attempt by EMD to offer a light switcher that got better fuel economy with a V-12 engine instead of a V-16.
DAVIS tower in Newark.
Acela Express power car #2008 just south of Wilmington.
All sorts of random power at the Wilmington Electric Shoppes including E60 #603, an SW600, GP40TC, MoW GP7 #773 and Phase IV heritage painted P42DC #102.
BELL tower before the roof completely caved in.
HOOK tower, shortly before the point machines were changed from pneumatic to electric.
NS C44-9W #9775 behind a Conrail C40-8W just north of HOOK interlocking.
LAMOKIN tower would ultimately be demolished along with the bridge next to it around 2017.
Adjacent PRR era towers, BALDWIN and BRILL, named for long defunct railroad equipment builders.
Well if the vestibule ride wasn't fun enough, catching LVANIA Silverliner II #218 at 30th St station was the cherry on top.
Well I hope you enjoyed the set, that's all for now.
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