Hi everyone
On our way back from Ohio to Nova Scotia in late Sept we are going to see Altoona and the Curve via the Gallitzin Tunnels and then over to Scranton for Steamtown. We are doing this over two days and don’t have a lot of extra time but could anyone recommend some ‘must see’ railfan stuff in that area. We know about the EBT, Sandpatch and Strasburg but those will have to wait for another trip. We were thinking of chasing trains from possibliy Johnstown or Jamestown to Gallitzin early on the first day and then from Danville to Scranton later that first day.
Are we wasting our time or are we missing some awesome action somewhere else?
Thanks in advance
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Originally posted by RicHamilton
Hi everyone
On our way back from Ohio to Nova Scotia in late Sept we are going to see Altoona and the Curve via the Gallitzin Tunnels and then over to Scranton for Steamtown. We are doing this over two days and don’t have a lot of extra time but could anyone recommend some ‘must see’ railfan stuff in that area. We know about the EBT, Sandpatch and Strasburg but those will have to wait for another trip. We were thinking of chasing trains from possibliy Johnstown or Jamestown to Gallitzin early on the first day and then from Danville to Scranton later that first day.
Are we wasting our time or are we missing some awesome action somewhere else?
Thanks in advance
Hi Ric: I live just east of Toronto in Pickering and we just returned last week from our annual visit to Lancaster County home of the Strasburg RR. Too bad you have to miss this incredible little RR and the PA Railroad Museum across the road. We have visited Strasburg every year for the past 10 years and it just keeps getting better. It is about 5 hours south of Scranton. I can’t comment on the train chasing you want to do but Scranton was worth a visit the last time we were there in 2001. Great restoration and some good steam and rolling stock.
This Forum is new to me so maybe your email address is available but can’t find it. Send it to me and I will send you the latest pic of my favourite Strasburg Engine.
davidandrosemary@thebennetts.com
Regards
David Bennett
[quote]
Originally posted by David Bennett
[Hi Ric: I live just east of Toronto in Pickering and we just returned last week from our annual visit to Lancaster County home of the Strasburg RR. Too bad you have to miss this incredible little RR and the PA Railroad Museum across the road. We have visited Strasburg every year for the past 10 years and it just keeps getting better. It is about 5 hours south of Scranton.
Unfortunately that is why it will be saved for another trip[:(]. It is five hours in the wrong direction. Thanks for the confirmation on quality stuff in Steamtown.
Hi Ric
We just got back from that area,and a suggestion I would make is not try to do too much. We went to Altoona (museum and the curve), EBT, Strasburg (3 days- Toy train museum, Choo choo barn, steam ride and museum) and Steamtown for 3 days. There are so many things to see at all stops, especially Steamtown. On one day we took the Tobyhanna excursion so it basically took the day so on the other two days we just spent enjoying the sites. There are many things planned during the day by the park that it keeps you busy. One demonstration they have was kind of neat was a ride on a caboose. They also did a work shop on railroad photography and at the end of it they did a double-head run-by with the two engines running that day. It was pretty impressive.
After the caboose ride they let you go up and talk to the engineer and go up into the cab; my kids got to blow the whistle, They are 4 and 6 so you can imagine how they loved that.
We spent one day at the curve as well, just took a picnic up there and sat and chatted with the railfans while our kids ran around. All in all we were very busy but left enough time to enjoy each aspect of it.
The big NS action is at Cassandra located on Route 53 between Johnstown and Gallitzen. The little village is located off the main road. You will find roadside signs directing you to the pedestrian bridge overlook. From the bridge you can look west two miles. The east view is about 1000 feet. Bring lounge chairs. Consider this a three track mountain version of the pedestrian bridge at Bayview. Spend a couple of hours and see 20 trains all with big power and working hard. When you become overdosed head northeast to Cresson and Galitzen. The tunnels are neat at Gallitzen but you will miss either east or west action as there is a 2000 foot distance between tunnels. There are two pedestrian bridges near the museum in Altoona. But Cassandra is still tops.
tom
I will verify that cassandra is a top place. I live in Gallitzin, above the tunnels, and also must throw in a good word for them as well. If you can make it to the east end of the tunnels you will eliminate the gap between the “Slide” (east traffic) track and the other pair of mainline tracks. Here the trains are always moving slow, as it is the most significant grade.
Cresson, Pa is a good place.
My favorite places to head to when I go to that area are Altoona and Cassandra.