Chasing Delaware Lackawanna PO-74 with DL

Delaware Lackawanna (DL) is a shortline operating numerous jobs in and around Scranton, PA. The railroad is extremely unique in that its active roster is solely comprised of Alco/MLW locomotives, most of which are well over 50 years old.
Delaware Lackawanna's longest route is PO-74, which is based out of Scranton and services numerous industries in the Poconos, the largest of which is Ardent Mills in Mount Pocono. PO-74 usually runs with the largest locomotives in DL's fleet, and often runs with four or five units.
On the bitterly cold morning of Monday, January 20th, 2020, some friends and I drove to Scranton in hopes of catching PO-74 on its eastbound run to Ardent Mills. We started our day at Ridge Row in Scranton, and it wasn't long before PO-74 passed us with three Alcos pulling three centerbeams for Bestway Enterprises in Cresco. Leading the way was DL #414, an ex-LV/DH/SRNJ Alco C420 built in 1964. When DL #414 was owned by SRNJ, it was painted back into Lehigh Valley colors by SRNJ's owner, who was a rail enthusiast. Trailing second was DL #3642, an ex-PC/CR/DBT Alco C636 built in 1968. Last was DL #3007, an ex-BCOL/GECX MLW M630 built in 1970. DL #3007 still wears its GECX scheme from when it was in service as a testing/leaser unit for GE. It is the only MLW M630 left in active service.
Once PO-74 passed us at Ridge Row, we headed to Myrtle Street and waited for the train to pick up a cut of 26 hoppers for Ardent Mills at CP Cobb. It wasn't long before the bars went down and PO-74 crawled past us, before stopping to wait for the conductor to walk the train. This gave us time to chase PO-74 to Elmhurst, where we got the train as it barreled through town. Since we had plans to see other trains, Elmhurst would end up being our last location for PO-74.
8:23 AM-9:58 AM: DL PO-74
DL #414 (C420) 'LV paint'
DL #3642 (C636)
DL #3007 (M636) 'GECX paint'
Thanks for watching!

[@BVERailer]

Nice video! Thanks for having me along, I’m glad we saw 414 leading.

[@nynjrailvideos7198]

Thanks! It was great having you, that trip was amazing.

[@northjerseyrailroadproduct2770]

Nice video. I have been wanting to see the ALCo's on the route of the Phoebe snow for a while no, bit plans never materialized. When do they run on the Pocono main? Also, I thought the PT-97/98/99 are the longest trains on the main, going from scranton to Slateford.

[@nynjrailvideos7198]

Thanks. PT-97/98 was abolished two years ago. PO-74/75 is the only train that runs on the Pocono Main, and it usually only goes as far as Cresco since DL no longer interchanges in Slateford (everything is interchanged with NS in Scranton). PO-74 generally runs 3-4 times a week (usually every other day). It usually goes on duty at around 8 AM at Bridge 60 in Scranton. I recommend joining the Delaware Lackawanna Railfans Facebook group for more info.

[@northjerseyrailroadproduct2770]

@@nynjrailvideos7198 wow, thanks! So the line past Cresco is abandoned? Unuesed?

[@nynjrailvideos7198]

There are still three customers past Cresco; two in East Stroudsburg and one in the Delaware Water Gap. These customers are usually only switched once every few weeks, so you’d be very lucky to get a run past Cresco.