Our group visited the Altoona, Horseshoe Curve and Bennington Curve areas many times in the Conrail era. We camped out at Bennington Curve before it became popular. Side trips to Cresson to see what was in the engine house was a must. We never went further west in those days.
Those were days that we saw different engines on the west slope…who ever thought we would see CNJ SD35’s and SD40’s, or Erie-Lackawanna or Reading Company paint schemes on the Grade!
We camped at Cove, PA on a Friday night and got up early on Saturdays to head to Altoona.
Lewistown, PA
Conrail. A snowy Lewistown, PA. February 17, 1977. We were on our way to the East Broad Top Winter Spectacular and stopped at the Lewistown, PA station on February 17, 1977. There was no snow when we left Harrisburg, but in the mountains is was a different story!
Ex- Penn Central SD-40 #6163 & #6241 with a westbound freight at Lewistown in the snow on February 17, 1977.
A westbound freight is passing Lewistown station in August 1977.
The westbound freight at Lewistown with a 211 series caboose trailing in August 1977.
Early morning at Lewistown. Barry jr, George Mailander, Ron & George Kaspriske and Ed K is in his van in the hazy July 1978 morning.
GE 2931; #2520 & #2286 units lead an eastbound freight in the early evening at Lewistown on July 16, 1976.
GP-38 #7900 and 2 other units with a westbound freight at Lewistown in July 1978. #7900 is a former Penn Central unit built in February 1971.
East Altoona, PA
One of our first stops is at the East Altoona scrap tracks.
A sad day for ALCO RS-3 fans. The East Altoona scrap line in August 1977.
More Alco’s being scrapped. A sad day for ALCO-haulics!
BLW VO-1000M #9312, SW-1 #8485 and NW2 #9182 are forlorn on August 16, 1978.
Ex-Ironton Railroad Baldwin switcher #751 is on the scrap line on August 17, 1977.
Former Penn Central Baldwin #8279 is on the scrap line on August 17, 1977.
Ex-Reading Company C424 #2494 on the East Altoona scrap line on July 18, 1977.
Some of the many engines on scrap line in July 1978.
Another view of the diesel scrap line in July 1978.
Conrail. Altoona, PA. Engines being scrapped. Aug 16,1978.
Ex-Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line #6017on the scrap line in August 1977.
Penn Central F-7 #1796 is on the scrap line on August 16, 1977.
The engine scrap line at the Altoona roundhouse in 1981.
Cars on the scrap line
I photographed several freight, passenger and other cars on the scrap line. This is probably the last time they would be seen unless they were preserved.
An ex-PRR steam locomotive coal tender on the scrap line on August 16, 1977.
Ex-PRR REA refrigerator car #3531 on the scrap line on August 16,1977.
Ex-PRR RPO car in the scrap line on August 16, 1977. Hope all the mail was sorted and delivered!
I saw another former PRR RPO car on the scrape line in August 1980.
Ex-PRR outside brace gondola #357531 sits in scrap line on August 16, 1977.
A former PRR round top boxcar that was in maintenance of way service. MW #60778 on the scrap line on August 23, 1980.
Ex-PRR X-29 boxcar in maintenance of way service. MWM #60145 on August 23, 1980.
A former Penn Central cylindrical hopper #884326 was on the scrap line in November 1987.
Then I saw a New York Central cylindrical hopper #885959sitting on the scrap line in November 1987.
PRR H41 covered hopper #261003 lanquishes on scrap line in November 1987.
Former Penn Central hopper #483252 in on the scrap line in November 1987.
A former PRR baggage car #9052 is on the scrap line on August 16, 1977.
Altoona, PA
We saw many freights at Altoona during our visits. Some are eastbound while others are westbound that will struggle up the grades to Horseshoe Curve and onward to Cresson, PA.
The Altoona Juinata Shops sign in September 1981.
Conrail SD40-2 #6385 & #6453 are westbound at CP Works in Altoona on August 16,1977.
SD45-2 #6691 & friends on westbound trailer train at CP Slope, Altoona on August 16, 1977.
SD-40 #6339 and other units are eastbound in Altoona and passes CP Works on August 16, 1977.
SD-40 #6029, #6330 & others are westbound at CP Works in Altoona on August 16, 1977.
SD45 #6182 & #6179, eastbound at CP Works on August 16, 1977.
SD40 #6291, which is a former B&O #7488 & CNJ #3067 that was built in May 1967, along with another unit are east with a freight near CP Works in Altoona on August 16, 1977.
Conrail GP35 #2333, Canadian National GR-20b #5517 & Conrail U23B #2742 are westbound at CP Works on August 16, 1977.
Horseshoe Curve, PA
Model of Horseshoe Curve on display at the PRR Railroaders Museum in Altoona, PA in September 1981.
The City of Altoona water reservoir in May 1986.
A pair of SD45’s with #6177 as the last unit are pushing a westbound freight up Horseshoe Curve at night in May 1977.
SD45-2 #6665, ex-EL #3680, #6654 ex-EL #3669, B36-7 #5029, #5044 & 5th unit are westbound at Horseshoe Curve passing GP-9 #7048 in May 1986. the GP-9 replaced the PRR K-4 Pacific #1361 that was on display for many years.
An RDC train set is westbound on the Horseshoe Curve in September 1983Sept 1983.
GP-40 # 3280 & # 3331 with an eastbound freight on Horseshoe Curve. The water reservoir can be seen to the left in this May 1986 scene.
Eastbound TV train led by B36-7 #5038 passes westbound freight led by SD45-2 #6665 at Horseshoe Curve on May 1986. The crowd enjoys this scene.
Conrail SD45 #6138 is a former PRR and Penn Central unit that was built in November 11, 1966 is shoving a westbound freight up Horseshoe Curve on August 17, 1978.
MG Tower
In May 1986, we got a tour of MG Tower. One of the guys in our group worked for Conrail as a systems engineer was as responsible from Harrisburg to Altoona. He gave us a tour of the Tower.
MG Tower (Mid Grade) on the west slope on Horseshoe Curve on May 5, 1986.
The MG Tower U.S. Geodetic Survey marker on May 5,1986.
The communications equipment inside MG Tower.
The MG Tower model board.
MG Tower and new operator Barry Trogu being ‘qualified’ by Robbie Robinson on May 5, 1986.
GP 40-2 #3280 & #3331 on eastbound empty coal train at MG Tower on the west slope of Horseshoe Curve on May 5, 1986.
Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian is westbound in May 1986 with F-40PH #272. #272 was built in December 1977 and was in a wreck and scrapped in December 1990.
B36-7 #5009 leads a westbound TV train past MG Tower on May 5, 1986.
SD40-2 #6461 & #6469 are westbound with a freight at the MG Tower signal bridge on May 5, 1986.
SD40-2 # 6401 and #6292 are eastbound at MG Tower on May 5, 1986.
Eastbound freight at MG Tower on May 5, 1986.
The crew at MG Tower. The guy in white & blue shirt has speed radar he uses to check the train speed on May 5, 1986.
Pushers SD45-2 #6663 & mate pass MG Tower as the return to Altoona for another assignment on May 5, 1986. #6663 was built for the Erie-Lackawanna in November 1972.
Bennington Curve
A view of the Bennington Curve and Interlocking from the town of Tunnel Hill, PA. I am standing on top of the Gallitzin tunnels in May 1986.
Former PC SD-35 #6017 leading an eastbound freight at Bennington Curve on July 16,1976.
SD40-2 #6284, #6355 & another unit are eastbound at Bennington Curve on July 16, 1976.
SD45 #6081, C30-7A #6595 & 4 other units are eastbound at Bennington Curve in July 1978.
Ex-PC U33B #2962, #2907, #3061 & another unit lead an eastbound coal train at Bennington Cruve in July 1978.
SD45-2 (EL#3674) #6665 at Benny on track 4 in July 1978.
GP40 #3135, SD45-2 #6670 & a GE unit power an eastbound freight towards Altoona as they head downgrade at Bennington Curve on September 15, 1977.
Ex-PC SD40-2 #6382, GP40 #8081 and 2 other units are westbound with a TV train at Bennington Curve in the afternoon of August 15, 1977.
SD40-2 #6469 is leading an eastbound train at night at Bennington Curve as her headlight reflects in the mountain haze in September 1981.
Conrail E-8 #4022 on eastbound Train #40, The Broadway Limited, round the curve at Bennington Curve in August 1977.
Former Penn Central SD-40 #6259, SD40 #6291 is ex-CNJ #3067 and an SD45 are eastbound at Bennington Curve in May 1977.
Former Erie-Lackawanna GE U25B #2596, which is ex-EL #2521, an ex-PC GP38-2 #8121 & others are westbound with an early morning freight train at Bennington Curve on August 16, 1977.
GP40 #3244 eastbound in the night at Bennington Curve in September 1982. The mountain haze is reflected in the headlight.
An ex-Reading Company GP40 #3652, GP40 # 8032, ex-PC SD-45 #6145 and another unit are eastbound with a TV train at Bennington Curve in August 1978.
SD45-2 #6695 & #6671. Both are ex-Erie-Lackawanna units heading eastbound at Bennington Curve in afternoon of July 17, 1977.
Conrail SD-45 #6095 & #6191 are westbound at Bennington Curve heading back to Cresson, PA for another assignment in August 1978.
Amtrak E-8 #431 with late Train #41 at Bennington Curve on a foggy night on July 15, 1978. The mountain haze creates a spooky scene!
Members of our group at Bennington Curve in August 1977. “The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Railfans”! My apologies to the Sound Of Music!!!
Meal time at Bennington Curve in August 1977.
Ed Kaspriske, Charlie (Snuffy) Smith & Fred (Opie) Malchow sit on the flat rock out crop waiting for trains at Bennington Curve on August 16, 1977. Unfortunately, all 3 are no longer with us.
A Conrail maintenance hi-wheeler truck is eastbound at Bennington Curve in September 1982. Track 2 has been removed!
Amtrak E-8 #449 on eastbound Train 40 at Bennington in the morning of August 17, 1978.
SD-40 #6345 & SD-45 #6177 are drifting down the grade at Bennington Curve as they run eastbound to Altoona on August 31, 1977.
GP38-2 #8060, ex-RDG SD45 #6103, that was built in August 1968, ex-PRR SD45 #6165, which was built in January 1967, & a 4th unit are eastbound at Bennington Curve in the early morning in May 1977.
SD40 #6347, SD45 #6177, C430 #2443 & RS27 #2407 are eastbound at Bennington Curve in September 1977.
SD-45 #6156 & 6125 are pushing a westbound freight with caboose #21150 towards Gallitzin tunnels in August 1980.
Former Reading Company GP35 #3634 & 2 other units lead a westbound TV train at Bennington Curve on a hot day in July 1978. #3634 was built in August 1964 for the Reading Company. I took this photo from the rock ‘shelf’. That flat rock outcrop was a favorite of rail fans for photography.
Ex-Erie-Lacawanna SD45-2 #6069 and other unit pushing a freight westbound at Bennington Interlocking in the evening on July 17, 1977.
Ex-PRR and PC SD-35 #6015 with westbound freight at Bennington in the late evening just after dusk on August 16, 1977. Her serial number is 30403 and was built in March 1965 on order number 7795.
Amtrak E-8 #447 leads train #40, The Broadway Limited, eastbound at Bennington Curve, on August 15, 1977.
Bennington Interlocking
Bennington Interlocking is just before the Gallitzin Tunnels and the location offered a nice place for photography.
Bennington Interlocking near Near Bennington Curve with an eastbound freight in September 1982.
SD-40 #6282 & 7 other units are with a westbound freight at Bennington Interlocking near Gallitzin, PA on August 16, 1977.
GP-40 #3211, U-30-B #2516 and GP-38 #7899 with a westbound freight at Bennington Interlocking and they are approaching the tunnels. July 15, 1978.
Ex. Penn Central SD-40 #6301 & #6305 are pushing that westbound freight and ex-PC caboose #21714 at Bennington Interlocking on July 15, 1978.
Amtrak F-40 #276 with the westbound Pennsylvanian at Bennington Interlocking on August 16, 1977.
SD-40 #6350 & GE U28-C #6528 are westbound near the tunnels at Bennington Interlocking in August 1977..
Ex-Penn Central SW-9 #9123 is at the Bennington Interlocking, near the Gallitzin tunnels on May 5, 1977.
Action at Bennington interlocking near Tunnel Hill, PA. SD45 #6152 & other SD45 are returning to Altoona to push another train up the grade as they pass several west bound diesels running light to Cresson in July 1977.
Former Penn Central SD35 #6309 & other units are powering a westbound freight at the Bennington Interlocking on May 5, 1977.
Gallitzin Tunnels
The Pennsylvania Railroad The Allegheny Section No. 3 Tunnel marker.
A look inside of the tunnel at Gallitzin on August 16, 1977.
SD-45 #6191 at the Gallitzin tunnel on August 16, 1977.
An eastbound freight is heading east from the Gallitzin tunnels going toward Bennington Curve in this view taken from Tunnel Hill, PA in August 1978.
SD45 #6141, SD40 #6114, SD40-2 #6438 & another unit are westbound as they approach the Gallitzin tunnels in September 1978.
SD40-2 #6375, SD45 # 6150 and 3 other units are westbound near the Gallitzin tunnels in July 1978.
Former E-L SD45-2 #6664 & ex EL SD-45 pushing freight at Gallitzin Tunnels on July 15, 1978.
Train leaving the Gallitzin tunnels heading east. The track to left is branch to Hollidaysburg, PA in August 1977.
SD40-2 #6360, SD45 & another are westbound at the Gallitzin Tunnels in September 1980.
Conrail SD40-2 #6383 leads a trailer train into the tunnel at Gallitzin on Aug. 16, 1977.
A westbound freight goes into the tunnel on August 16, 1977.
Into the tunnel! The caboose of the westbound TV train is in the Gallitzin tunnels on August 16, 1977.
SD-40’s #6245 & # 6303 have exited the tunnels at Gallitzin and are assisting an eastbound coal train heading for Altoona. they will provide extra air and braking for the trip down the Grade on July 17, 1977.
GP-40 #8090 & 7812 are helpers used as dynamic braking for the train that is heading down grade at Gallitzin in July 1977.
Ex-PRR & PC SD-35 #6012, ex-EL SD45-2 #3680, #2332 & another unit are eastbound from the Gallitzin tunnels in August 1977.
Cresson
Cresson is the westbound engine terminal for the helpers on the grade from Altoona. AR Tower controls the interlocking in this location.
SD-45 #6226 with an eastbound freight at AR Tower in Cresson, PA in June 1977.
Cresson, PA on August 17, 1978.
Charley “Snuffy” Smith & Paul Wilson are talking with one of the guys at the shack in Cresson on August 17, 1978.
The engine terminal in Cresson on August 17, 1978.
Another view of the Cresson engine terminal on August 17, 1978.
GP38-2 #8233 resting at the Cresson engine terminal in September 1979.
A line of diesels in the Cresson engine terminal on August 17, 1978.
Conrail SD40-2 #6374, built in July 1977, is in the Cresson engine terminal on August 17, 1978.
Conrail SD40 #6288 which is former B&O #7485 which became Central Railroad of New Jersey #3064 sits in the engine terminal on August 17, 1978.
Our group never ventured past Cresson back then. We were satisfied with the Horseshoe Curve and the west slope areas.
