I’m a newbie. I’ll be in Pennsylvania for a couple of days. I’m going to check out Horseshoe Curve. I would also love to see a yard in action.
I read that they “rebuilt the steel bridge” at Enola yard, and there is room for people to check out the action, take photos, park thier car, etc. And its legal.
Is this true? I would love to watch the yard action for a while. Any info on checking out Enola yard?
Any tips on visiting Horseshoe Curve? Can I assume that the traffic at Horseshoe Curve, and Enola yard, will be more busy on a Monday than a Sunday?
How about a scanner? Will it make it more fun at the curve, or the yard? Can you recommend an inexepensive scanner, or important features that I need? Or do you need to get an expensive one for good results? How about frequencies?
Thanks alot for any info, guys (and girls). I’m new to this, and this trip to Harrisburg/Altoona Sunday was just sprung on me, and I don’t really have much time to research stuff myself.
I lived in the Altoona area for a short time last year and visited the Curve many times. I recommend you get there in the morning. Traffic seems to be heavier early, peaking at noon or so till about 2pm. Then there seems to be a lull for a few hours. Stop at the snack bar first and pick up a train schedule. It tells you not only about when to expect a train, but also where it came from, where it’s going and in general terms what it is carrying. Amtrak trains are listed along with freight. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Altoona Railroaders Museum. Adjacent to the museum there is a large trackside parking area and a very nice pedestrian crossover from which to view the action. Have fun!
Hello again Ironmine. I just noticed your question about a scanner. Again I can only speak about Horseshoe, but there you won’t need a scanner. They have a P. A. system that brings you most of the local rr radio chatter, plus the hotbox detectors which have computer generated voices. Of course anywhere away from the Curve a scanner would be a real asset. Sorry I don’t know anything about frequencies, but I’ll bet the friendly people at the visitor’s center will be glad to help.
What was formerly called “The Iron Bridge” was rebuilt recently, and it has camera ports for photographers in the chain link fences on both sides of the bridge. The best photos are from the northbound side of the bridge of inbound trains to the yard. The I 81 bridge over the north end of the yard cuts off the views of trains departing from Enola. There is legal parking on the left end of the bridge.
A scanner is a plus. The frequencies in use are 160.800, 161.070, and 160.980.
