Railfan & Railroad Magazine June 2023

The second of a three-part series visiting Northeastern commuter rail agencies celebrating their 40th anniversaries continues with NJ Transit serving the suburbs of New Jersey. Kevin Phalon recounts the history of the pioneering General Electric U34CH, one of the first diesels built new equipped with head-end power to usher in an era of modern commuter service in 1970. Wayne Johnson takes us to the north shore of Boston for the final days of freight on the Peabody Branch. Dave Stanley takes us back to the days of Southern Pacific operation on the Oakdale Branch. All this and more in the June issue of Railfan & Railroad!

FEATURES:

• NJ Transit at 40
• by Steve Barry — In the 40 years since the Garden State took full control of its commuter rail system, NJT has expanded while facing challenges.
• U34CH: New Jersey’s Diesel
• by Kevin Phalon — The sole survivor of a pioneering passenger diesel fleet is now being restored by volunteers in New Jersey.
• North Dakota Branch Lines
• by Jeremy Seimbida — Traditional railroading can still be found on BNSF’s network of former Great Northern branch lines in North Dakota.
• Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO
• by Marcus W. Stevens — Now a full decade in service, these GP38 rebuilds have proven a worthy successor to the venerable GP9 switcher.
• Boston North Shore Finale
• by Wayne Johnson — The closure of a major customer could mean the end of freight service on Boston’s North Shore now served by CSX.
• Riding the Iron Horse to the Cowboy Capita>
• by Dave Stanley — Southern Pacific’s Oakdale Branch was a colorful operation 60 connecting Stockton, Calif., with rural cowboy country.