FYI For Those Heading to Horseshoe Curve to see the 765..

Wow...steam on the curve= raised rates...

That's really not a bad deal for the rare opportunity.  You have to pay for admission to the curve and to the Railroaders museum anyway, so a few extra bucks for the preservation of steam seems OK to me.

 

I just have to arrange my time, transportation, scheduling and place to stay, but I pretty much think I'm gonna make it there.  Well worth the priceless photos that should be available.

 

Paul Fischer

I can't believe I lve in NE Pa and have never been to the curve. Im guessing seeing the 765 would be quite awesome. I think I will bite the bullet on the price since I have never been there before. I'd like to take the family. Anyone have any input if it's worth the trip? Would non train people (misfits) find the visit enjoyable?  Input appreciated. 

 

Im thinking of telling my wife there is a Coach purse outlet near it (ha ha).

 

Jeff 

trackside, well so much for getting the awesome picture of the 765 on the bend

This is sort of a repost which I've already made over at RYPN. Consider it a Public Service Announcement of sorts as to another factor which you may run into at Horseshoe Curve and again at Rockville Bridge.

 

Regardless of personal opinions as to whether helicopter photography is appropriate or not, everyone should assume that there will be at least one helicopter in the air during an event like this. When I last participated in a serious aerial shoot, 614 Moodna Viaduct in 1996, there were three plus two fixed wing aircraft on one of the trips all in the same area at the same time.

 

In as much as Horseshoe Curve has not seen steam for a lot longer than was the case in 1996 at Moodna, I believe the odds are high for one or more helicopters. Anyone attending may find that nothing happens in the air, but were I a betting man, I'd say it's going to happen, at least on August 20th at Horseshoe Curve.

BTW, if a helicopter does appear at either of the locations in question,  it will not be yours truly. I do not plan on participating this time around.

Below is a two minute video of the 614 Moodna event which shows all three of the helicopters which showed up that day. The third one stands off a bit more than the others, but can be seen in the upper left portion of the frame just prior to the 1:30 mark. The chopper I was shooting from appears just after the 1:30 mark and yielded, amongst others, the following image:



Full Sized View: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=123104

The two minute video clip, produced by Mark I Video, may be seen on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJkwkOVpNuo

Here is a link to a live streaming video cam at Cresson PA that I am going to watch.

 

http://www.railstream.org/inde...-100-cresson-pa-free

 

B&O946

i,for one would not pay that,seems like illegal price gouging to me.....there are far better places on the west slope to get photos. and the price is right too.-jim

And if you wait, there no doubt will be video(s) pop up here or commercially, which will be WAY cheaper than going to the curve for a one shot deal, as I am sure the 765 isn't doing runbys and no organized photolines etc.  And no guarantee that just as 765 goes by, its cut off by another NS moving past it blocking the opportunity.  To NS, this is just another train like that annoying Amtrak, to be gotten from point A to B quickly as possible and out of the way. 

 

But then again I could be wrong....

You guys are fussing over twenty bucks? Geez!

.....there are far better places on the west slope to get photos.

 

REALLY

I haven't really decided if I am going or not.  The extra few bucks do not concern me at all, and if they serve to keep the crowd to a manageable size, so much the better.

 

I just wonder *how* crowded it will be.

 

Andy

This is one gorgeous photo. Color wise, I was wondering how you got the trees to pop, then I checked the exif on rp.net, and saw you were using Provia. I miss shooting Velvia & Provia.   

To those who live near a mainline where the 765 will pass, consider yourself fortunate to witness something as historical as what NS is doing.  The closest I can get to seeing the 765 on its journey is 4-6 hours/ 200-300 miles away.  I would gladly pay $20 to witness the 765 going around HS Curve.

I would not expect to get the photo of a lifetime that will make the cover of TRAINS or come close to the John Corns photo of 759 from the park.  I want to be there to experience the power, sight and sounds of 765 personally.

 

And I don't mind paying extra.

 

But it SURE would be nice if I could buy in advance and know I'll be able to get up there for the event.  I'm planning to go, but I'll be driving a very good distance and it will be a bit of crap shoot if I'll actually make it up there.  The value here, if the museum hasn't realized it, is the reservation.  

 

Sigh.

In support of the museum, it will be money well spent.

 

Bob

For those who went out today, how did things go? Was it particularly crowded? I am hoping to go next week...

According to a post on TrainOrders, they departed Conway at 10:15AM Eastern Time.

Seems kind of funny that people crab about this fee which in the scope of things is pretty cheap.. but will spend thousands of dollars on a TOY train 

Appears 765 is at Gallitzen now... won't be too long now before it's on the curve.  I'm sure lots of excited folks enjoying steam in the Altoona area this afternoon!!!  Wish I could be one of them, but I'll have to settle for pics.

 

David

Through the curve and now sitting in downtown Altoona.

Anybody know appox. how many people were at the curve to see 765? looks like she was there at about 3:00. Any pics?

 

Rich

Bingo!  Give this man a prize!

Pics, video PLEASE!

 

First hand accounts???

It's double the normal daily price of admission, which includes the curve and the railroaders museum. $5.5million in taxpayer money built the curve park via the National Park Service, and I think it's rippin' off folks for the benefit of the museum.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=406126&nseq=2

 

It's all I can find so far.

why is it dated july 31, 2012.  didn't it just happen.

 

when I looked it did say july 31, 2012

but yes now it says Aug 13, 2012.

The photo I linked to?...Says August 13th.

It costs lotsa $$$$$$ to have any steam operate on mainline and if the PRR Horseshoe curve museum  makes a little $ that is the price you need to pay to see, feel, and hear mainline steam.

 

Larry

And it's just as well that folks who feel as you do stay home and leave the event open for those who really care about taking advantage of an opportunity that may not be repeated in their lifetimes.  If a few extra bucks to help support a railroad museum is too much to ask, you may well be in the wrong hobby.

I agree

I am wondering if there is extra security and cleanup requirements because of the potentially  large crowd ?

This would be an added expense to the museum.

According to Chris' posted picture, there don't seem to be to many people up at the visitors section of the curve.  Perhaps a few hundred but not the "thousands" that someone feared and mentioned on the forum.

 

That photo must have been taken from the block signal bridge on the north side of the curve.  Once had a station located there, too.  Apparently the shot was made by an official NS photographer who had permission to climb on to the bridge.  I wouldn't recommend that any of our guys attempt the same thing.  Likely to be developing your pictures behind bars!

 

Paul Fischer

Probably since NKP 765 & train were going DOWN HILL! I don't think that many folks would pay $20 to see her going down the Horseshoe Curve with the diesel in dynamic brake.

 

Now, when NKP 765 attacks "The Hill" up-grade,,,,,,THAT will be a different story!

Pardon my ignorance...I understand going uphill would make for more dramatic sound from the steam loco but what sound does the dynamic brake downhill make?

Here in Brooklyn I don't get to railfan much except for the subway and the newly active yard I noticed out in Bay Ridge. Need to try and get a pic of the SW unit hemmed in by chain link fence.

Thank you Pete

Pete thanks for posting the Video. Seeing the 765 running on the curve would be well worth the $20. Thanksdeo

For lack of a better term, dynamic brakes make a sound somewhat akin to a deep howl.

 

Curt

Paul:

 

Based on the times of postings, you didn't have the opportunity to see Pete's video.  You can clearly see Carl Massart (an NS employee according to the info accompanying his photo), standing on the signal bridge in Pete's video.

 

Curt

I did not shoot this video, I found it on youtube.

The video posted so far is pretty good. Even caught the man up top of the Slopeward signal bridge.

 

Me thinks someone might consider trimming those trees though.

 

Nice shots! Obviously DB on the Diesel and good smooth function on the steam.