After the Conrail startup in 1976, the former Erie Lackawanna main line from northern New Jersey to Buffalo was thrown open to the combined operations of three colorful railroads. Supposedly in the name of competition, Conrail, the Delaware & Hudson and the New York, Susquehanna & Western operated an eclectic fleet of new and secondhand power along this scenic route and home trackage of D&H –NYS&W. Erie Railroad authority Bob Collins had the “inside track” on the goings-on and was there to capture the action.