Conrail inherited 222 GP38-2's from the Penn Central and purchased an additional 118 units between 1977 and 1979. One hundred of the PC units were leased from GM for 15 years. In July, 1987, GM demanded the return of the locomotives, much to power-short Conrail's dismay. Conrail retaliated by not taking delivery of a single EMD locomotive for over three years.
The 2000 horsepower locomotives are used for all sorts of local, branch, and mine run service.
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ex-PC GP38-2 8105 at Portland, Pa. after hauling a unit coal train for the PP&L power plant located there. The diesel is standing on the old Main Line of the DL&W in late summer 1983. |
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GP38-2s 8121, 8174, 8159, and several more of their brethren lined up on a siding at R tower at the west end of Allentown Yard for the weekend. June, 1992. |