Rudy Garbely ~200 pages hardcover
When Conrail began operations in 1976,
it inherited a patchwork fleet of weary first-generation EMD Geeps —
locomotives like the GP7, GP9, GP9B, GP18, and GP20 — from its six
bankrupt predecessor railroads. First-Generation Conrail Geeps
tells the story of these classic locomotives and the roles they played
in keeping Conrail’s system running during its earliest and most
challenging years. Drawing from extensive rosters, detailed research,
and hundreds of rare photographs, this book chronicles how these
dependable workhorses served in every corner of the system, from
bustling main lines to the most remote branch lines.
The book also covers Conrail’s
extensive rebuilding efforts that produced the GP8s and GP10s — programs
designed to extend the lives of aging Geeps at a fraction of the cost
of new power. With in-depth coverage of both the original and rebuilt
locomotives, First-Generation Conrail Geeps offers readers a
complete look at how Conrail’s shop forces, contractors, and management
transformed a worn-out roster into a reliable backbone of local, yard,
and secondary service. This volume is an essential addition for fans of
Conrail, EMD locomotives, or American railroad history.
