I've noticed that every seven years or so, events transpire that result in fairly radical changes from what railfans may have just accepted was a stable norm. While I was too young to see it firsthand, it was around seven years ago, starting in 2016, that Norfolk Southern and CSX began divesting themselves of their ex-Conrail SD60Ms and SD60Is. This glut of well-used but still serviceable and more advanced power resulted in a second-order change of the status quo - the Buffalo & Pittsburgh transferred its ex-SP SD45s and other second-generation six-axle power to other Genessee & Wyoming railroads. Many of the ex-CSX units retain their Conrail marker lights, so while the loss of the 45s was keenly felt, the SD60s were still interesting, at least for another, younger generation of railfans. But time is running out once again; rumor has it that the SD60Ms are themselves slated for replacement in a few years, as G&W rehabilitates Dash 9s likely acquired from BNSF/GE after their leases expire.
The same is true of the main reason I went out in June 2022; the ex-B&O color position light (CPL) signals that govern the former Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh route. It's no secret that after the fairly recent deactivation of the intermediate signals in favor of track warrants, G&W considers the few remaining CPL "islands" governing sidings as expendable on a line that sees two regularly-scheduled through freights, the occasional extra, and a few locals. While the Surface Transportation Board has denied B&P's case for the past few years, in 2023 it appeared that the B&P may finally get its wish. Thus, even these slim reminders of a heavily trafficked secondary route may fall by the wayside.
