Thank you, 765 Crew

Sounds like you enjoyed yourself . I went last week to see 765 at the curve on the last trip of the day. Even got to hear a little slippage coming up the dew covered track. Pretty neat.

ReadingFan, they deserve our thanks indeed! Wasn't it a fantastic day?  I was two cars behind you in Franklin Inn. Here's a view I got out the window sometime before the curve, engineer's side.

ReadingFan, were you wearing a Reading 2102 shirt?  I think I saw you (but wasn't sure it was you, so I didn't say anything.) 

This is my dad and I in the 7409 Dome:

We lucked into being upgraded to Dome seating, and I don't know if I can ever ride an excursion in coach again!

Here's my video of #765 and consist departing Lewistown eastbound for Enola after the trip.  What a machine!

And here's the meat: 765 attacking the Curve:

The trip was wonderful in every regard (although I thought serving Potato Salad to a group that was about to be confined to a train for 2 hours a bold and risky move, haha) and I can't speak highly enough about the FWRHS and all their members/volunteers. 

Glad to see riders are having such a memorable experience.  Weather is absolutely fabulous today (Sunday) here in Eastern PA and should be just as nice tomorrow (Monday) as well.  Hope it's equally nice in the Altoona area.  It's one of the rare days with absolutely "picture perfect" crisp, blue skies!!! 

I do feel badly however for the non-rider, "photographer enthusiasts" who may have made the tremendously steep hike/climb on the far side of the curve to capture stills and/or video of the train rounding the curve from that angle yesterday.  From the looks of this on-board video, it appears 765 was riding one of the inner tracks (probably the middle one) going up the curve, and a NS container freight was on the outer track -- which would have completely ruined your chances for decent photos -- much less optimal photos to truly commemorate the event.  

I guess last year's 765 trip was done in a bit more of what we'd refer to as "controlled conditions", with NS holding back regular freight trains so that 765 could have the curve all to itself -- for both the overall effect as well as NS being able to capture great PR photos of the event.

Can't wait to see more still-pics and videos from riders as well as trackside viewers.

David

It did cross my mind, considering that anyone on the outside of the curve was trespassing, that NS might have somewhat intentionally put that stack train on the outside track.  Still, I feel bad for those folk.

From onboard it was kind of neat to race that stack train up the hill (and win.)

Not sure these days exactly where the NS right-of-way ends back there.  But there sure are a couple of FABULOUS viewpoints in the brush (if you're a photographer and you stay far enough back from the tracks).  LOTTA work to get back there though, as I recall the incline is VERY steep -- not to mention carrying photo equipment.  Best to keep everything packed in a backpack so you have full use of both arms/hands to make the steep hike.  

Years ago, the way to get up there was much less publicized, and you REALLY needed to know the path was there -- otherwise you'd miss it.  But nowadays there're all kinds of videos on YouTube for the searching that show the way.  I haven't been back there in decades (and I was a lot younger then), but rumor has it some of the locals have even left a rope back there along the hiking trail to help climbers pull themselves along the steep climb.  It's not for the casual climber.  That's why I say I'd feel particularly bad if someone made the effort to get there... only to have another train come along to block the view.

David

Rich,

   Please thank the entire 765 crew for a truly amazing experience! Everything was very well organized, professional and first class all the way.

I was in the park.  When that double stack started crawling past us, I figured they would run 765 behind it.  I've been hoping to see a long, slow "on her knees" climb.  

When the stacker was wrapped around the curve, I looked over to see steam above the trees! With the squealing noise from the freight, you couldn't hear 765 approaching!  But once 765 came out from behind the trees, she was REALLY loud and VERY impressive.

Here is a still:

765 was moving, I'm guessing track speed.

Later, I realized we had likely just witnessed the first time a steam powered passenger train had overtaken a freight on the curve since the mid 1950's.

After it passed, many commented on the bad luck of those on the ridge.  I wonder it was all that bad or not.  Later, before 765 came back down, an oil train came up and for a bit we wondered if they were going to get skunked a second time!  But that didn't happen.

I saw the run up the mountain last August.  It was striking how different this run was... and that you can't predict what you might see!

Bob

Wowak,

    I was wearing my 2124 shirt and my Iron Horse Rambles souvenir cap. I was looking for you but I must have looked the wrong way in the crowd. Next time I'll try to talk my way to your seat in the dome.

   Thanks again for upgrading my T-1. I saw your photos and the valve gear and whistle look GREAT!

bbunge,

   Years ago, I was riding an eastbound passenger train approaching Horseshoe Curve. We were passing a freight rumbling along on a track to our right. After our train passed Bennington Curve, I figured I would see the Curve only through spaces between the freight cars. But just as our train entered the western approach, the freight train's diesels growled by and I enjoyed a full view of the Curve.

   Recently I read of a photographer who made his way to the ridge. He heard a PRR 2-10-4 climbing up the Curve. But a freight came just in time to block his view. He could glimpse (and hear) the 2-10-4 stop, so he thought he had a chance. But the mighty Texas started again, and all he could see and hear between passing freight cars was a stack going by, a huge black tender, and then the cars. The freight cleared just in time for him to see the back of the caboose go out of sight.

Quite a few people didn't seem to mind walking up into the dome and standing at the front taking pictures despite not having tickets.  I generally don't let things like that bother me, but I was annoyed when a fellow was standing at the top of the stairs trying to take a picture, and two passengers with seats in the dome were trying to come up the stairs and he admonished them "Hold on, I'm trying to get a picture", not concerned that whatever he was getting a picture of, the paying dome passengers weren't getting to see at all.  (I didn't have much room to complain with my free upgrade, though.)

I would also like to extend a warm thanks to all involved. We also were in the New York and Tom our Carhost was so gracious and entertaining. Great trip, great crew. For this boy whose usual steam experience consists of a little 0-4-0T going 5 mph, seeing the 765 roar by at track speed was an absolute thrill. 

Saw Rich when we pulled into Altoona but he didn't stick around long enough for me to ask if there is a special OGR forum member cab ride!

I've posted a thank you on another post but, I'll add one again here.  We rode the Saturday trip in MRLX 9407, the dome car just ahead of Dover Harbor at the end of the train.  The on board staff were fantastic!  I'd also like to thank all the volunteers who did the behind the scenes organizing of these trips; the people who made sure there was sufficient parking, porta-toilets in Lewistown and Altoona and lunches for all who ordered them. 

I've ridden employee and shipper specials in the past however, this was my first public main line steam excursion.  I thought everything from the planning to the execution was very well done and I'd most certainly ride a FWRHS / NS excursion again! 

Curt

I was listening to the radio on Sundays trip, and specifically heard 765 head end tell dispatch that they where going to hang back on approach to the curve to let the freights clear so we "don't have a repeat of yesterday" Thought that very nice of them.  Looking at the very fact that they had to run 3 crews to start and end in Enola, picking lewistown in the middle of nowhere to board, just to solve the logistics of running the train over a half mile section of track speaks tremendously to effort placed in offering something special to the railfans. Only thing I wasn't impressed with was the one-piece injection molded non adjustable commuter style seats in NS 47 car. Not ideal for an all day trip.

I didn't see the inside of all the NS cars, but I did hear some people who had been on previous trips saying the same thing about the plastic seats. I don't know the Heritage of the cars. Franklin Inn was also used in commuter service after its days on the PRR, but fortunately retains the original PRR seats. True, they no longer recline, but they are still relatively comfortable. The reclining mechanism is still there, and the Washington DC Chapter, NRHS is looking to find a way to have the release levers re-fabricated, so they can once again recline.  But, when you restore something, you "get what it was." PRR left the Roomette windows intact, so the seats actually give the best views when in facing foursomes.  Families and groups like that, but others do not.If you've never seen the car, here's the outside and inside.

Unseenthings, I was also on the Sunday run in NS 47 and agree on the seat issue.

Aside from that, the trip and staff were great and well organized. Great Trip !!!

NS-26 was very nice. Cloth seats and well finished. But as we were told NS-26 is a NS training and exec cars so it's no surpise it was decent.

Considering what all is involved in a trip of this magnitude on a very busy major rail line.....getting enough equipment that meets the standard of the Feds and NS....just the time, effort and cost up front and all the work for the entire weeks the loco and crew were in PA.....it's amazing. 

I agree, Thank you 765 Crew. My friend Jim and I had a great time. We met so many new people and one came from Switzerland just to see and ride the train. We met up with him on Sunday out side of Altoona.

765 leaving Lewistown May 25, 2013

Pentax K2000 w/ 100mm Lens ISO 1600 

This photo was taken at Roundhouse Road Crossing Lewistown.

Pentax K2000 w/ 100mm Lens ISO 1600 

My friend James Kaufman, Jr. 

Rounding the curve at "MG" 

Pentax K2000 w/ 15-55mm Lens ISO 800

Rounding the curve at "MG" 

Pentax K2000 w/ 15-55mm Lens ISO 800

765 and MG Tower

Pentax K2000 w/ 15-55mm Lens ISO 800