The 2500 horsepower U25B (and C) was General Electric's entry into the domestic freight locomotive market in 1962. It was a worthy opponent to the EMD GP-30. The success of GE was enough to drive the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) out of the business in 1968. Conrail inherited its 179 U25B's from The Penn Central (152 ;58 PRR, 68 NYC, 26 NH) and Erie Lackawanna (27). These units were used on mainline trains for a few years, and then in secondary service. All units were retired by 1983.
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Still in full Penn Central paint, U25B 2524 (NYC 8/64) poses at Northampton, Pa. on July 30,1978 |
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U25B 2666 (NH, 10/64) at Abrams Yard on January 7, 1979. Photo by Mike Szilagyi |
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Another former New Haven unit, Ex-PC U25B, 2674 (NH 10/65) is seen at Abrams Yard on January 7, 1979. Note the Ex-RDG SW-1500 and brand new SD40-2 also in this rainbow era picture. Photo by Mike Szilagyi |
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GP-40 3014 and ex-PC U25B 2546 (NYC 1/65) lead a train a Abrams Yard in June, 1979. Photo by Mike Szilagyi |