PRR six-axles had a short reign on the mountainous route, though by the time Penn Central became reality, traffic had been relegated to the old four axles.
Not even a decade later and the route was much busier and with many more motors online than the Pennsy ever utilized on the same trackage. As catenary is all strung out across the three divisions, the railroads six-axles are pressed into service in great numbers to help move the huge influx of traffic. SD40s and SD45s have become a staple, but the 125 new SD40-2s are already well-loved on the steep and winding mountain route. In a few years, despite electrics going strong, the railroad will order an additional 250 to supplement them all.
Here, seven of the SD40/45/40-2s lead empties across the West Virginian division as a bonus power-move. The return trip will see all seven and then some, stretched to their limits, to move back up the even steeper northbound grades.
And meanwhile, back in the midwest, SLRR 2955 hosts a special guest as the northbound train rockets through Fisher, IL. One of a handful of the railroads S4s - only twelve on the roster - leads a GP9, both in their now dying breed of phase 1 paint, putter towards the grain elevator with a short collection of hoppers to be loaded.
Cheers,
SM