RAILROAD TIME CAPSULE, PENNSYLVANIA'S HARRISBURG & ENOLA YARD

Some reflections from the fifties and some still images from the 70's and 80's.
Next there's video from 2012 taken from the north stem of the yard and from 2015 a “foamers surprise” for me anyway at Harris tower. (Hint it's NS repainted Wabash #1070)

[@geraldwilson681]

My Dad's father and my Mother's father both worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad back in the day!! Thank you for this wonderful video!!

[@tomt9543]

I made quite a few trips from NC up there to photograph all the action during the 80’s. My favorite place was always what was referred to at the time as the Iron Bridge. The man lift is going over the bridge that replaced the iron bridge, and it was very thoughtful of the city of Harrisburg to build openings into the fence for photography by rail fans! Another item I loved to see in operation from the iron bridge was the so called Pimple track”. A stub end track that came off of the outbound lead, it ran uphill clear to the end of rail, and they’d shove cabooses up on that hill. When a train departed northbound out of England yard, they’d pull the rear car beyond the switch to the pimple, line the switch for the diverging route, and the conductor would ease off the handbrake on the caboose and roll it down to a coupling on the rear of the train! It’s been at least a couple decades since I’ve been there, but I’d imagine the pimple disappeared with the cabooses that used it! Those were great times! What’s out there on the rails now doesn’t interest me at all!

[@BoxcarJerry]

You did a very nice job on this video , enjoyed the look back at the photos of the past . Thanks and keep them coming .

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

The GG1 was retired at least 7 years before I was born, but damn, watching videos online of the Gs (including a video my Dad purchased on the GG1, and a recording of a TV documentary of sorts on 4877/the GG1's last run), and seeing them in person at the RR museum in Harrisburg, it's hard to not feel a sense of awe, or reverence at the size, and power of those locomotives - and a pleasant chill down the spine hearing the Leslie A200 horn blow.

[@pauleyplay]

Many thanks I fish at Marysville. My Grandpap was a middle division engineer He would take me to Vans diner in Enola. I cant find it now. Was 60 years ago. I miss him ! Thanks again

[@donise8406]

I remember as a kid in the late 50's on a summer night sitting at the Whistle Stop ice cream drive in having a soft ice cream and watching all the trains go by in the yard.

[@jazzmandan50]

Truly one of the best videos I have ever seen on railroad's past and present. Keep up the great work, and I hope to see more in the near future, Thanks, Again.

[@Siren851]

Great presentation. Some wonderful shots and fun juxtaposing of old and new.

[@mikeklaene4359]

Good video - thanks for posting. I am a retired SEPTA IT guy from near Downingtown but grew up on KY side of river by Cincy.

[@pabassfisherman]

I loved working in Enola yard as a conductor. I remember one evening my engineer was so tired that he let me run the locomotive. A lot of good memories made while railroading there.

[@doubleutubefan5]

Wow look at all those Gp38s, SD40s and such very cool

[@FredFagan]

Brings back many memories from a time long ago. My grandfather was a conductor on freights from Enola to Philly for around 45 years. I lived in Wormleysburg in mid 40's till early 50's and his train would pass thru each run. Some times they would stop the train and he would leave crates of oranges, grapefruit, etc. on a wooden work platform for us. Even took me to Enola a couple of times in the caboose. A family friend was an engineer on switching locomotives there and let me "drive" a locomotive. he had to pull the brake on because I didn't have the strength as a 9 year old. My dad was a baggage man at Harrisburg from around 1940 until he passed in 1968. Used to enjoy hanging out down there in the workers snack bar as a teenager. Really missed that after I took off for the military and didn't get back home for 24 years.

[@g.marlandmilliken9443]

I grew up, and live in Southern Maine. Boston & Maine, and Maine Central's Rigby Yard is on Route 1, in So. Portland, with an over pass so you can see the entire operation. My Pop would say to my brother and I "Rigby up ahead, get on the passenger side, and keep your eyes open, you MIGHT see something"!

[@johncox2284]

I rode a train between Baltimore and Philly that had 3 GG1s on the head end. I spent most of the time in the vestibule of the lead coach sucking up the sight and sound of those marvelous motors.

[@Creeperboy099]

I remember how on the way to my rowing team boathouse, I would pass over a train yard in downtown and also gaze at the GE’s coming in and out with trains and some SD40 lashups switching, some hooked to remote controlled cabless slugs

[@JawTooth]

We got to visit these locations in 2015. We spent 4 nights at the Bridgeveiw Inn

[@Sandsculptor]

In the early 1970s, I was Manager of the PennCenRail Credit Union and we catered to the railroaders from all railroad companies in the Central PA area. The Engineers, Conductors, trainmen, mechanics and support staff were a proud and good group of men and women at that time. Our office was based at the Rutherford Yards, but I spent many days at the Enola Yards conducting educational and membership drives for the financial needs of the railroaders... Bill Comrey

[@davidn6124]

Awesome video!

[@highlife0586]

OK this is somewhat of a history lesson to me since I only moved into the Harrisburg PA area in 1976.

[@LibertyRailfan]

Great video & fantastic narrations..