Berkshire helpers

SD40-2 6432 heads west through Bancroft, MA. as a light engine move at 19:37 on the evening of July 1, 1982. This is the last photo of a Washington hill helper I got, as ConRail terminated regular helper service within days of this photo. The six stall roundhouse and concrete coaling tower of the helper engine terminal still stand in Chester today, mute reminders of a decades-long service which is seldom, if ever, needed in this day of 4-5,000 hp locomotives.