Erie Lackawanna (EL) 3365 - GE U34CH

Inbound commuter passes freight power. And a TDI cigarette ad too!

I can't imagine that these big GEs were ideal commuter train locomotives, given how painfully slow they were to load up. They were used in freight service on the weekends, however, and at that they excelled. Date of photo approximate.

A timid U34CH unit peeks out from the engine house. Built by GE in April of 1971, it was one of 32 built for the joint effort between the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Erie Lackawanna. The partnership was one of the possible solutions to the growing EL debt problem but unfortunately it was too little, too late. To show their NJDOT ownership, the units were painted in a dark blue and silver paint scheme with NJDOT logo and were often called "Bluebirds" by rail enthusiasts. The U34CHs on the weekends were sometimes used in Erie Lackawanna freight service, often being on freight duty from Saturday to Sunday and returning to commuter service Monday morning. In 1976, they came under Conrail control. Unknown photographer

The scene at Hoboken in August, 1977 is still all EL with an ancient EL MU on the near track, and U34CH 3365 (CR 4165) and NW-2 418 (CR 9225) behind.

A GE U34CH rests at Hoboken on July 30, 1976.

Brand-spanking new 3365 -- a GE U34CH -- gets a westbound train underway over the complex interlocking at Hoboken Terminal in 1971

The 3365 is on rear of an Eastbound local starting out from Waldwick station. On the next track train 1671, a local freight that worked west on the Pascack Vally Line, across the Piermont Branch to Suffern, and now is heading back to Croxton at the end of the day.

Inbound commuter passing lite freight power.

A Westbound makes a station stop at Waldwick. I'd love to go back and check out the cars in the parking lot.

Hoboken Terminal

A westbound rounds the curve at Hohokus station.

Harvy Khan Picture Date Unknown Location Assumed.