Assisting two C36-7’s making a pickup in Reading, Pennsylvania, Conrail GP40-2 3276 is visiting its original home base. Originally a Reading unit of the same number, it was one of five GP40-2’s purchased by the Reading Company in 1973. The new EMD’s were financed by Bethlehem Steel to ensure reliable power for iron ore shipments between Bethlehem’s Grace Mine, about twenty railroad miles from Reading on the Wilmington & Northern branch, and its flagship mill in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Generally three of the units were on the ore train, leaving two free for maintenance or system-wide use. After becoming Conrail assets, they were placed in the system pool, and visited Reading much less frequently. Today, this unit is still around, as CSX 6982.
