Horseshoe curve pre York visit

Wow Steve, you sure took the long way to York. I will check the videos later. I want to make a trip there, and also get to Mercer Junction as part of a day trip with my wife.

Don

Don

Yes it added about 250 miles, If you and the wife go pack a lunch as there are some picnic tables. I think the p[ark admission is $8. you'll love it.

Also did not see you in the Orange hall in your usual spot, did you attend?

Steve

question or 2. 

does Norfolk southern have engines standing by to help a train move up and down the grade? 

I saw in the videos a lot of sd40's and sd60's. 

aren't railroads moving to es44's?

Yes, NS uses helpers on the line up and over Horseshoe Curve.  They keep them in Altoona and at Cresson.

It was great meeting you guys at the horseshoe curve. Plenty of train action. I was on my way to Pittsburgh on business. There was also plenty of Norfolk Southern action right outside my hotel room window in Pittsburgh at Station Square. I did make it to York today with my daughter. Picked up some nice treasures. Got to talk to the folks at MTH and Lionel. Great time.

Johnll

Lets try that again.

Video_Horseshoe Curve Pre-York Visit

Video Horseshoe Curve Pre-York Visit2

Steve,

We all had a ball at the curve and Tunnel.   Each train was over a mile long.    There were 3 intermodal trains,  1 tanker train, 1 gondola train and 1 train with  empty coal cars.    At the tunnel another intermodal train.    I have to find my notes as we counted cars and wrote down the engine numbers.  All the pushers were SD40Es   All engines were NS ones.  I was hoping for maybe a CR blue engine in one of the consists. 

Just got back from the curve today. Amazing. 

Just got back from the curve today. Amazing. 

Steve,

 Thanks for posting and for sharing your videos. I have not been back to The Curve since 1996, so I look forward to watching recently made videos. 

 Tom 

Thanks for posting the videos, Steve.  I don't recall having to pay an $8.00 fee when I visited the curve.  But that was back in the '90s.  

Nice videos Steve, thanks. I'm going to look for the "EFFIN" loud setting on my dash 8, then go to church to cleanse my ears!

Don

So, it looks like NS is cutting down trees so visitors will be able to see further up and down the curve. Is this ongoing?

Great videos, Steve.  Thanks for sharing.

Yes there was a 5 man crew cutting shrubs and trees.   They have a way to go.   

rail posted:

Nice videos Steve, thanks. I'm going to look for the "EFFIN" loud setting on my dash 8, then go to church to cleanse my ears!

Don

Don

The viewing platform at Gallitizen Tunnel crowded and I couldnt control the background noise. Glad you enjoyed the videos

Steve

Here are photos/artwork of the Horseshoe curve in earlier days. See original 4 track mainline on vintage Teller artwork.

I was there from 10am to 1pm on Sat., 4/16/2016.
About 10 trains were photographed, plus this movement of 8 helper engines (4 sets of 2) returning to their base at Cresson,PA. These are called SD40E models, originally SD50s that were rebuilt several years ago and derated to 3,000hp from the original 3,600 hp when new. These are the primary helpers used on the grades west of Altoona.
These older EMDs are a welcome sight and sound in the hordes of GEs on NS's roster.
Attached is video and a pic of the 8 units (2 running, rest in idle) going west.
Also a view of #6300 shot from my coach on the NKP765 trip on 5/26/2013.
WW Jenkins images

Randy T posted:

Yes there was a 5 man crew cutting shrubs and trees.   They have a way to go.   

It's already 10 times better than last year!