Strasburg Rail Road is best known for its steam excursions, but the railroad is a common carrier and operates a thriving local freight business.
On our visit to the Strasburg, PA area last month, I was lucky to catch one of their freights on the move. This was led by the railroad’s former New York Central SW8 diesel 8618.
This classic General Motors Electro-Motive Division swticher was built for New York Central System c1953 and carried the number 9618. It is painted in a neo-New York Central scheme, and was Conrail 8618 for many years.
In the 1980s, I made many photos of Conrail switchers, and I wonder if somewhere among my slides and negatives I may have a photo of this locomotive in its former existence.
![](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Strasburg_8618_DSC_0409.jpg?resize=474%2C316)
![](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Strasburg_Rail_Road_freight-DSC_6220.jpg?resize=474%2C315)
![](https://i0.wp.com/briansolomon.com/trackingthelight/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Strasburg_Railroad_8618_w_freight_at_Leaman_Place_DSC_0544.jpg?resize=474%2C248)
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