Pittsburgh Line Adventures 2001-2015 Published 10-25-2021
Audio Narration coming soon. (Low priority post).
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Hello Readers. This is Ryan Casey and welcome to Pittsburgh Line Adventures 2001-2015. As the premier railroad mainline of the Eastern United States, the Pittsburgh Line is a vital rail link between the Midwest, and the Delmarva Peninsula. Originally constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Pittsburgh Line hosts lots of Norfolk Southern freight train action, and a daily Amtrak train in each direction. The most well known, and heavily traveled portion of the railroad, can be found between Altoona and Pittsburgh on the western end of the line. But the area that many rail buffs come to see the most, is the famous Horseshoe Curve, the Gallitzin Tunnels, and Cresson. The Allegheny and New Portage Railroad National Historic Site is also located in this region. With three visits in fourteen years, and in a time before precision scheduled railroading was even thought of, the Pittsburgh Line hosted plenty of railroad action.
Altoona 2001
On a summer vacation out to Pennsylvania in August of 2001, we visited the Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania like in years past. But this time we decided to explore a new location. Altoona, Pennsylvania and the Horseshoe Curve. On Saturday August 18th, 2001, my father and I took westbound Amtrak train #43, the Pennsylvanian from the Lancaster Amtrak station. The tracks still had wooden ties, as the Keystone Corridor was not yet rebuilt for high speed operations. At 8:01 AM EST, the train arrived and we boarded for the three and a half hour trip to Altoona, arriving there at 11:46AM EST. From there, we walked the footbridge overtop the Norfolk Southern mainline. We explored the Altoona Railroader’s Memorial Museum, which has a yard with rail equipment displays, and a freight house, which is now the main museum display building. We took a taxi cab from downtown Altoona to the world famous Horseshoe Curve. A shrine, and the number one train watching location of the United States.
Originally built in 1854, the Horseshoe Curve is a vital part of the former Pennsylvania Railroad mainline. Lots of people died building this stretched of railroad track, as all the material was excavated entirely by hand, and black powder was the only thing strong enough to blast through the rock. In 1942, Eight Nazi spies entered the United States with the intention of destroying vital transportation links and industrial centers in an effort to sabotage the U.S. War Effort. Before any sabotage could happen, two spies betrayed the other six, and the six who were turned in, were all brought up on espionage charges and executed (Keely, 2019). Also mentioned in the Extreme Trains Coal Train episode, originally produced by the History Channel, the Horseshoe Curve in particular was targeted by these Nazi spies. Horseshoe Curve, along with the Southern Railway Shops in Spencer, North Carolina, were the two main industrial centers targeted by Hitler during World War II. A Nazi Germany air raid on either one of these locations would have devastated the entire U.S. economy, and this trip report would have never been written in English.
Fast forward nearly sixty years later, the Horseshoe curve survived into modern times. Once operated by Penn Central, then Conrail, Horsehoe Curve is now operated by Norfolk Southern on it’s Pittsburgh Division. But the line is still called the Pittsburgh Line from the Conrail Days. No less than two trains could pass by here at any one time. On our visit in 2001, the trees and shrubs overtook the view of the track approaching the east end curve. So it really lacks in photo opportunities. The last time they were cut was in the early 1990s, so we had to guess which way the trains were coming. There was also a GP9 Diesel on display at the curve, which replaced K4 Pacific Steam Locomotive #1361. The 1361 was restored to operating condition for use in Pennsylvania, but it only ran in the late 1980s. The Main Bearing and Driving Axle were totaled, resulting in nearly thirty-three years of storage and uncertainty in it’s restoration. However, as of 2021, there is now movement to bring #1361 back to operating condition. Hopefully someday we’ll be able to ride behind or see it run on the Horseshoe Curve once again.
Later that afternoon, we returned to Altoona to board our Amtrak train back to Lancaster. Our train was #40, the Three Rivers, which was supposed to arrive at Altoona at 11:12 AM EST, but was running several hours late. The Pennsylvanian was supposed to arrive here at 7:04PM EST, but it was delayed also. So we took advantage of the extra time to see some more freight trains from the footbridge and platform of the Altoona Amtrak Station. The United State Post Office in Altoona is also located within the station. At almost 8:30PM EST we boarded the Three Rivers, which was still running earlier than the Pennsylvanian, back to Lancaster. It was dark by the time we returned to Lancaster, arriving at 12:45AM August 19th, 2001, just 15 minutes before the station depot closed for the night!
Gallitzin and Cresson 2013
It would be another eleven and a half years before our return to Western Pennsylvania. But in January of 2013, we made that trip while I was on Winter Break from College. On January 10th, 2013, we made our first trip of the year, and drove out to Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, and the Tunnel Inn, where we would spend two nights. Along the way, the scenery gradually went from “Green Winter” to “White Winter” as we drove west of Harrisburg. That evening we found snow on the ground, as the Allegheny Summit was at a higher elevation than the Atlantic Ocean. A stack train of domestic containers was the first train sighting upon arrival at Gallitzin. Before turning in for the night, we waited for Westbound Amtrak train #43, the Pennsylvanian to pass by. Sure enough, the Amtrak train came by, but unfortunately there was no more light to get any good pictures. The train was powered by Dash 8-32BWH #513 in the Phase IV paint scheme, a rarity in the Northeast.
Next Morning, January 11th, 2013, we got up to see a few freight trains, and waited for the Eastbound Pennsylvanian, Amtrak train #44 to pass Gallitzin. The first train of the day was a westbound manifest freight, powered by two Dash-9s with an SD70 sandwiched in between. This train had a former Rock Island Hopper Car, and a string of steel coil cars, most likely returning to one of Pittsburgh’s last steel mills. Next was a westbound stack train, with a GEVO and Dash 9. The first Eastbound of the day was a train of domestic containers, mixed with stack and piggy back cars. A set of SD40Es, rebuilt from former Conrail SD50s, rushed by Westbound as the intermodal train, with two Dash 9s and an SD60, approached Allegheny Tunnel. Standard cab SD60s were becoming rare as Norfolk Southern began its SD60E rebuild program in the early 2010s.
Our next train to pass was the Amtrak Pennsylvanian train #42. The same locomotive that was on train #43 the night before, was now powering this morning’s eastbound as it approached Allegheny Tunnel, beginning an interesting day of exploration. The owner of the Tunnel Inn led us out to an overlook called Bird Eye, where the east end of the New Portage and Allegheny Tunnels meet. During the winter, the rest of this road is closed to motorists looking for the Horseshoe Curve, and out to Laurel Run, a former strip mine. With the temperature between 46 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit and there being a lot of snow, whatever melts creates fog. A spooky but spectacular phenomenon. The fog could be seen down the valley, and made for a picturesque opportunity. Continuing from the overlook, we were then taken to the former AR Tower Junction, and CP UN, where a tower, and a balloon loop track for steam locomotives once existed. But we’ll get back to that later. Then we were taken to the eastbound approach to New Portage Tunnel, where a manifest freight led by an SD60I was about to pass through the wintry mist. After the eastbound passed, the owner took us back to the Tunnel Inn, and then we set out on our own the for rest of the day.
Our next stop was Cresson, the helper base and western end of the Allegheny slope. Here, the tracks are straight, and the village’s strip of business all face the mainline. We stopped for lunch near the Station Inn, another Bed and Breakfast in the area. For the next hour or so, we saw some more trains from a viewing platform, built by the town. Upon closer inspection, we observed the Cresson Engine House and Maintenance of Way yard on the north side of the mainline. There, sitting in that yard, was a pair of SD40E Helper units, and a Jordan Spreader, still lettered and numbered for Conrail. Our first train movement was an eastbound intermodal train led by three Dash 9s, captured on video. This was the first train video I ever took with the then new-Nikon Camera. The next train was another westbound mixed stack and piggyback train carrying domestic containers, including UPS and FedEx shipments. It was led by an SD70M-2, a Dash 9 wide nose, and a Dash 9 standard cab. two SD40Es brought up the rear. Next was a Westbound mixed stack and piggyback train of domestic containers. Including UPS and FedEx shipments. Led by an SD70M-2, a Dash 9 wide nose, and a Dash 9 standard cab. two SD40Es brought up the rear. Our final train through Cresson was an Eastbound Freight destined for Enola Yard, carrying goods from Canadian Pacific and Canadian National. This train was led by a Dash 9, and two GEVOs, and pushed by a pair of SD40Es. More photos of these trains can be found in another one of my albums on rrpicturearchives.net at the end of this report.
The last thing we saw in Cresson was a WW II era Sherman Tank. Before heading to our next destination, we decided to stop at AR Junction one more time to see if anything came by. Sure enough, another pair of SD40Es, heading eastbound back to Altoona, passed by. Our next stop was the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site just east of Cresson and south of Gallitzin. There was a winch house and a slope where trains loaded with canal boats were once transported. Unlike other historic railroads, there are not many remaining ancestors of those who operated the Allegheny Portage Railroad. As a result, stories of things related to the operation of this railroad, like payroll and labor issues, are scarce, and often off the mark. But the only facts about the Allegheny Portage Railroad that are substantiated, were scheduling and how much time it took for each train to travel the line. It would take 9 hours to transport one canal boat over the mountain, and down to each side of the Pennsylvania Canal each way. Today, Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian takes 9 hours to travel from New York to Pittsburgh each way. Once the railroads opened, the canal boat lines closed.
Also part of this historic site is the fabled Staple Bend Tunnel. We had to drive nearly twenty miles out from Cresson to access it. Upon arrival, the trail was slushy and snowy for the four mile walk round trip, two miles each way. We caught up with the Pittsburgh Line again along the trail and saw a few trains on the way to the tunnel. The Staple Bend Tunnel is the oldest railroad tunnel in the United States, being built in 1833. The east portal is a stone arch entrance, while the west portal was ornately adorn. Walking through the interior of the tunnel, was very dark and quiet, except for a few bats and other hikers. My flashlight was absorbed by the darkness. We reached the west portal and then returned through the tunnel again to our car. Returning to Gallitzin for the evening. We saw a couple more trains, including a West bound intermodal and that night’s version of train #43, pulled by a P42DC this time. But the light was disappearing by the time it came through. Next morning January 12th, 2013, we departed Gallitzin, but not before encountering one last eastbound. An intermodal train powered by an ex-Conrail Dash 8-40CW, and two standard cab SD70s. Ending a short but exciting road trip.
Altoona 2015
For the final Altoona visit of this trip report, it was summer once again. A month after our Boston trip, we decided to venture out to Western Pennsylvania again, but just to Horseshoe Curve this time. On July 31st, 2015, we set out to Altoona, Pennsylvania by car, along I-78 and I-80. It was a four hour drive with no traffic, and we reached our motel by sundown. On August 1st, 2015, we then drove into the city of Altoona, passing by a mall with a J.C. Penny store on the way in. First stop was Horseshoe Curve. There used to be a gift shop in the visitor’s center, but now a model railroad diorama of the area is now on display. One of the more unique things about Horseshoe Curve, is that there is a funicular railway line that hoists visitors up the cliffside. Upon arrival, we saw that the GP9 #7048 was still there. The gate was partially open, so people climbed up into and upside the engine. Over the years, the locomotive’s painted deteriorated. But the main reason for our visit was to experience the never ending wonder of big time railroading.
Our first train of the day was a westbound Manifest Freight from the Delaware Peninsula, bound for Chicago. This train consisted of two Dash 9s, steel coil cars, tank cars, and a line of RailBox boxcars. Next train was an Eastbound mixed of double stacks and piggybacks, carrying domestic containers, led by an ES44DC #7591 and a Dash 9 #9569. A rail buff from Colorado was also there on the day we visited, and shared a great deal of train information throughout the day. A short time later, another eastbound train descended the grade, led by an SD70ACe and an ES44AC and was being pushed by a set of SD40E helpers. It was a loaded Crude Oil or Ethanol train, bound for Delaware, and originating in North Dakota. Hence the BNSF buffer cars. In the mid-2010s, there was an oil boom in North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. As a result, lots of Crude Oil was being shipped by rail via every Class 1 railroad, and traffic was booming. In previous years, most gasoline imported by the United States, came from Britain or the Arabian Peninsula. In 2012, the highest gas prices of all time were an average of $3.62 per gallon. With the oil boom occurring between 2012 and 2016, the United States saw the lowest average gas prices since 2004, with 2016’s average at $2.14 per gallon. When the US became a “net exporter” of oil in 2018, the gas prices went up again slightly, but the overall averages remained below $3.00 per gallon (Carlier).
The next train through Altoona was a Westbound Intermodal with combined piggybacks and Double Stacks. This train was mixed of Domestic and Overseas containers, which were mostly empty, so no helpers were on the rear. After that, we drove into the City of Altoona to visit the Railroader’s Memorial Museum once again. On this visit, a turntable and roundhouse were constructed, where an open field once was. Most equipment that was outside in 2001, was placed inside this new structure. Pieces of Pennsylvania Railroad K4 Pacific Steam Locomotive #1361 were all lined up awaiting restoration. As mentioned earlier, the #1361’s restoration was on hiatus for many years. But it is certain that we may see it run again over the next ten years. Who knows? Someday, it may even double head excursion trains with the soon to be constructed T1 4-4-4-4 #5550. Returning to Horseshoe Curve, the sun came out, and lots more trains were soon to come.
Upon returning to Horseshoe Curve, the Colorado rail buff mentioned that a train with one of the brand new GP33ECOs in its consist passed by. Then we encountered a westbound empty Crude Oil Train, returning to the Midwest. Led by two ES44ACs built in 2008, 8133 and 8085. No helpers were needed on this train. Shortly after the westbound disappeared, another eastbound Crude Oil train descended the grade. NS Dash 9-40CW #9872, upgraded to 4400 horsepower that year, a Union Pacific SD70M-2 #5215 and SD70M #4571, were on the point. UP #4571 was one of 1,000 units ordered as part of the largest single order of SD70Ms placed by Union Pacific. A set of helpers passed by the eastbound as two more brought up the rear. They were SD40Es #6307 and #6321. The sun gave way to clouds later in the day, as another eastbound freight descended the grade with a whopping ten locomotives leading! They were two SD40Es, #6328 and #6327, two SD70M-2s, #2766 and #2777, a Dash 9, #9615, three SD90/43MACs, #7253, #7232, and #7311, one ES40DC #7718. and a High Nosed GP38-2, quite possibly heading for the Juniata shops just east of Altoona. Two empty Amtrak ballast hoppers were returning to Delaware and the Northeast Corridor. As a bonus, four SD40Es brought up the rear of this train. #6329, #6323, #6311 and #6305.
Another westbound piggyback train led by Dash 9 #9556 and SD70Ace #1007, was next. Bringing up the rear were SD40Es #6333 and #6312. Action is heavy here! No sooner than the piggyback train cleared, and eastbound stack train led by Dash 9 #9436, SD70M-2 #2626, and former Conrail/LMS Dash 8-40CW #8426 descended the mountainside. Bringing up the rear was another pair of SD40E helpers #6325 and #6310. Soon, another westbound train passed by. It was an empty grain train led by Dash 9 #9164 and SD90/43MAC #7281, with no helpers needed. The lead unit was no ordinary loco. By an astonishing coincidence, we encountered this same exact unit in the exact same place leading another train, fourteen years earlier! You know never know what you might find on the railroads! It’s this kind of variety that makes the railfanning hobby more bountiful than plane spotting or ships in the long run! The final train we caught was another eastbound stack train, led by the SD70ACe class leader #1000, and Dash 9 #9912. After that, it was time to call it a night. Next morning, August 2nd, 2015, we returned to New Jersey, ending three great adventures to the Pittsburgh Line! Hopefully we’ll be back again someday soon.
Thanks for reading!
Coming soon: Strasburg and Lancaster: Retrospective, August 2010 Road Trip, and lots more!
To catch up on my previous post, click here: https://empireofrails.com/index.php/2021/10/12/upstate-new-york-2021-road-trips-travel-stories-volunteer-experiences-and-insight-cacvrr/
To see more pictures about my trips to the Pittsburgh Line, visit this album here: http://rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=87533
References
Carlier, Mathilde. “Gas Prices by Year in the United States 1990-2020.” Statista, 10 Sept. 2021, www.statista.com/statistics/204740/retail-price-of-gasoline-in-the-united-states-since-1990/.
Keely, M. (2019, June 14). Historians recall HITLER’S foiled attack on ALTOONA. WJAC. https://wjactv.com/news/local/historians-recall-hitlers-foiled-attack-on-altoona.
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Strasburg and Lancaster: Retospective - Empire Of Rails - Memoir · November 21, 2021 at 4:27 pm
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