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From: Dlw1el2 AT aol DOT com
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2011 18:50:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: April 1st
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I found my old article on that evening as it appeared in the Block Line,
Tri State Railway Historical Society's publication that I had named and
started back in Dec of 1972. It's a three page story that everyone will have
to download to read. I remember it like it was yesterday.

What was totally unexpected at the time, was that with in 18 months I would
be working in train service for this new company called Conrail, and would
for another 33 years. I would live through one more memorable occasion
that being the break up of Conrail and this time experience it as an employee
and not just a railfan. Though I watch it now from retirement, it all
reinforces the statement that NOTHING in Railroading is ever safe from change.

Bob Bahrs



In a message dated 4/1/2011 6:46:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
jfiorilla@capehart.com writes:

Bob as Assist General Attny for CNj at the advent of Conrail the CNJ held
a wake for CNJ on the evening of March 311976. A lot of hugging holding and
crying and drinking. A number of us had planned to ride the first CNJ
train into Cnrail when it left Roselle PK eastbound at midnight. However as we
left the Party to get a train to RP it was hailing and raining heavily so
we never got to make the trip. But I will never forget the day.

John
John K. Fiorilla, Shareholder
Capehart & Scatchard P.A.



____________________________________

Sent: Fri Apr 01 15:21:31 2011
Subject: April 1st


I got the following email today from friend Scott Snell reminding me of
this day many many years ago. I have my write up of the day some where that
I will have to dig out, but the question makes an interesting read. For all
of us that lived through it, it was a day that we will never forget. Like
Oct 18 th 1960, was for so many DL&W and Erie employees a short 17 years
earlier, it possessed so much anxiety and worries of the unknown. As a
young railfan I can truly say that anxiety extended beyond just the employee's.
They truly had a lively hood and the financial worries that go with it
at stake. As railfan's we were hit in the heart not the wallet, but it
sure was a hit.

I know this was brought up a few years back on the EL list, but for those
who can remember it clearly, would love to hear your thoughts on what you
anticipated happening leading up to April 1 1977, and then your thoughts as
you look back on 35 years of not having the EL, or your favorite railroad.

Bob Bahrs
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I couldn’t wait to get out of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School on April
1, 1976. The beginning of the end was here: Conrail, Day One. I was 15 years
old. My wife hadn’t been born yet. There was no internet, cell phones,
limited magazines so information was sparse. We had heard rumors that the CNJ’
s fleet of SD35s and SD40s were going to be moved west in one big power
move, so I of course headed to my beloved CNJ in Fanwood, NJ to wait it out.
Meeting up with Karl Kraus and Tom Baker, nothing seemed to be going on. The
commuter trains all looked the same and went by at the correct times. Then
we noticed an eastbound headlight sitting back behind the grocery store
just west of the Terrill Road bridge. I can’t remember if we biked or walked
down, but when we got there, we found a very exciting and new train led by a
gleaming new Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 right of the box. This thing was so
freakin’ clean it was scary! The train turned out to be one of the first
Apollo intermodal trains that were turned over to the D&H as a concession in
the Conrail deal. This was cool. Maybe Conrail wouldn’t be all that bad.
The fallacies of youth! The four units rumbled to life and headed east out
of the setting sun. In the distance a westbound commuter train appeared at
Fanwood station and as the Apollo pulled ahead, another commuter train
roared past heading towards Fanwood and eventually Newark. A train on every
track. This was cool too!
Of course we all know how Conrail turned out…
It’s been 35 years since that day. Conrail itself has already been gone
for 12 years, disappearing in 1999. The trains still run through Fanwood, but
only on two tracks. I still see Karl and Tom.
So where were you???





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