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What kind of grades are on the Strasburg line?

There was a discussion about this on the Strasburg Facebook page. 89 was steamed up for the day's passenger trips, but the train was more than 89 and 8618 could handle together, so they steamed up 475 just for this train.

Big Jim:

You're probably thinking the same thing I am: Rail condition (frost, condensation, etc) may have been a bigger factor than the grade.  As you well know, doesn't take much of a grade to cause grief under slick rail conditions... especially if your sanders have clogged or something like that.

The SW doing the shoving sounded like it was having some trouble with its footing, too.

I believe the ruling grade westbound is coming up out of Cherry Hill heading towards Esbenshade Rd.  The second video is shot from about the middle of the hill.  Not sure the actual percentage, but I'd say 2% or so.  It's very noticeable standing at Cherry Hill and looking towards Strasburg.  With that curve on the lower end, and dew on the rails, it's enough to cause problems with a heavy train.

There's also another hill coming out of Leaman Place/Paradise going up to Black Horse Road.  Longer, but I don't think it's quite as steep.

I checked out my old N&W timetables for my district on the Shenandoah Div. where grades max out at about 1.8%. The Class M (as in #475) was only rated for 700 tons.

It was not unusual for grain hoppers to be overloaded, so, I wouldn't doubt that the 1,300 tons mentioned could be a conservative figure.

Thanks for posting Kelly.

Jamie

Hope I run that well if I reach 108 years old.  It's great that Strasburg RR has been able to get freight traffic and its revenue.