Cumberland, MD
The Chessie System signage at the Cumberland engine terminal. There was even a diorama of the area on display!
Our journeys to the Sand Patch Grade always started in Cumberland, MD, the Queen City and gateway to the Alleghenies. ND Tower at Viaduct Junction was a great place for photography. Of course, we did visit the engine house to see what was on the scrap line and what engines were switching the yard. Cumberland was busy in those days. This is the Keystone Subdivision to Connellsville, PA..
A sad day for Western Maryland Alco fans. RS-3âs #198, 186, 189 on scrap line at Cumberland in September 1979.
I caught a westbound freight with GP40-2âs #4336 & #4340 at ND Tower in September 1980.
In September 1981, I photographed GP40-2 #4331 and the engineer picking up orders âon the flyâ at ND Tower, Viaduct Junction. The train is heading for the Cranberry Grade in the early hazy morning. As the train headed west, the conductor in Caboose #C3824 picked up his orders at ND Tower. He is concentrating on the pick up!
Before the #614 returned from a fan trip, a Chessie GP38-2 #3717 with an eastbound freight passed ND tower at Viaduct Junction in September 1980.
The ex-C&O #614 returned from a fan trip in September 1980 and I photographed her passing ND tower.
We went to the Cranberry Grade trackage at the viaduct and I took this photo of an eastbound freight with a myriad of power.
GP38 #3811, SD40 #7414 and GP40 #4048, all in B&O paint, lead a west hopper train across the Cranberry Grade viaduct in Cumberland in September 1980.
Our group went to the end of the Viaduct to photograph the ex-C&O #614 heading west on the Cranberry Grade in Cumberland in September 1980.
In September 1978, we saw the former Reading Company T-1 #2101 decked out in the Chessie System STEAM SPECIAL paint for a fan trip in Cumberland.
West of Cumberland, helpers SD40-2 #7613 & ex-Western Maryland SD-40 #7549 ( WM #7449) are pushing a westbound freight up Sand Patch grade towards Fairhope, PA at Ellersie, PA in September 1983.
Hyndman, PA
A visit to Hyndman, PA was always great! Q Tower in Hyndman was still an operating Armstrong tower. There were Western Maryland lettered SD40 units in the helper pocket. It was never a dull moment in those days!The helpers were busy back then, I photographed the Chessie SD40-2 # 7605 & ex- B&O #7592 pushers several times during the day at Fairhope, PA in September 1980.Of course, Hyndman, PA was a great place for photography in those days. Where else could anyone see a pair of Western Maryland SD40âs in pusher service? Western Maryland SD40 #7570 (former #7474) & #7545 (former #7445) pushing a westbound coal train up Sand Patch grade at Hyndman, PA in September 1980.
Even at night I photograped a Western Maryland SD-40 #7549 (former#7449) at Fairhope, PA in September 1983.
Variety of paint schemes was wonderful in those days!
At Fairhope, PA and Mance, PA we would see B&O, C&O and the Western Maryland helpers along with Chessie painted diesels on the grade.
The tower operator was a friendly guy with a lot of info about the Armstrong levers. In this photo, he is waiting the call to switch the helpers onto a westbound freight.
I took a photo of the model board for the Q tower plant in October 1986. Q Tower only had a few more years left in operation. When I was there, I took several photos of the Armstrong rod and bell cranks.
We did see Ross Rowlandâs C&O Greenbriar #614 in fan trip service. The sound was deafening as she climbed the grade at Fairhope.
I am quite happy I saw Sand Patch in those days!
It is not the same nowadaysâŚDPUâs, and no helpers being tied on at Hyndman. The Hyndman Tower is long gone.
Chessie. Western Maryland SD40 #7570 (#7474) & #7545 (#7445) pushing a westbound coal train up Sand Patch grade at Hyndman, PA in September 1980
Former Western Maryland SD40 #7545 & #7570 are crossing Center Street in Hyndman on a damp September 1979 morning.
The ex-C&O #614 is steaming west through Hyndman, PA in September 1981 on her way to Somerset, PA.
Former Western Maryland SD40 #7549 and Chessie SD40-2 #7613 are pushing a westbound piggyback train out of Hyndman in September 1983.
Fairhope, PA
Fairhope, PA was one of our stops when visiting the Sand Patch. Fairhope is a short distance from Hyndman. We have camped at this location a few times. The site offered a nice photo location. Our group always went there in September looking for the trees to start offering the Fall colors. Bill Price always got photos with the steam locos in September and October.
Of course, there were cabooses back in those days! This is a photo of caboose still lettered for the B&O. It is caboose #903819 eastbound at Mance, PA around 9PM in 1984.
The photos may not be perfect, but I could not afford the slave flash units in those days. This is the âpoor manâs night photosâ!
In those days, our group would camp on the grade on Saturday nights. The tower men would tell us of the best places to camp! I shot a former Baltimore & Ohio GP-9 #6506 that was westbound at Fairhope, PA. September 1980. Even the crews always waved to us!
I took a photo of Chessie GP40-2 #4125 heading eastbound on Sand Patch grade in the early evening in September 1981. I used a Nikon FM-2 film camera in those days (and I still do) with Kodak Ektachrome 200 ASA. The camera settings were 1/125th sec, f 1.4 with the Vivitar flash set on manual discharge.These settings allowed me to take photos in the dark of night anytime!
I photographed Chessie SD-40 #7605 & #7592 helpers pushing a westbound freight on Sand Patch Grade. Fairhope, PA in September 1980.
The GP40-2 was a workhorse for Chessie in the day. I photographed GP40-2 #4299 leading a westbound freight up the grade at Fairhope in September 1979.
We never knew what we would see in those days. I took a photo of an ex-Western Maryland GP-9 #6415 (ex WM #40) along with an ex-C&O SD40 #7521 & GP30 on Sand Patch. this train is westbound at Fairhope, PA. in September 1980.
Western Maryland paint schemes were plentiful in those days. I photographed ex-WM GP35 #3577 (WM #502) and other units that are eastbound at Fairhope, PA in September 1981.
Ex-C&O SD40-2 #7518 pushes a west freight up Sand Patch Grade at Fairhope, PA as Charles âSnuffyâ Smith and his girlfriend watch the action at night in September 1980.
Pushers on the Sand Patch Grade. Chessie SD-40 #4375 & an SCL unit, number unknown, at Fairhope in October 1986. the effects of CSX are appearing.
Sometimes a derailment happens on the Sand Patch grade derailment. We heard the bangs and photographed this problem in September 1978.
Falls Cut
Our group went to the Falls Cut Tunnel a few times. There is a short tunnel which enhances the photographic opportunities.
Ex-Western Maryland SD40 #7545 in the red & white paint scheme is west at Falls Cut tunnel in September 1979.
Chessie System GP40-2 #4437 leads #4127 & 3rd unit with a west freight at Falls Cut Tunnel in October 1986.
Chessie SD40 #7569 & #7518 (ex-C&O built in July 1970) cross the bridge at Falls Cut tunnel, heading eastbound as they return to Hyndman in October 1986.
Chessie System SD40-2 #7569 and another unit are pushing a westbound freight at Falls Cut at night in October 1988.
Glencoe, PA
Glencoe was another âquaint villageâ on the Grade. In the steam days, Foley (FO) was nearby. There was a 3rd track that was located at FO Tower in the steam days. The 3rd track went to Manila back then. The 3rd track is gone and the ballasted road is used by the area residents.
The road between Fairhope and Glencoe took us through some beautiful Southwest Pennsylvania scenery. This farm is near the town of Glencoe in September 1982.
I had to take this photo of the Glencoe Post Office and general store. This building served the Southwest Pennsylvania area in September 1980. I think it is gone now. Memo to everyone - when you see a nice old building, take itâs photo. It might disappear soon!
Another view of the village of Glencoe. Chessie. Glencoe, PA. this is a view from Carter Road and the Glencoe Road crossing is visible in the distance in this October 1986 view.
A former B&O GP-30 # 6906 & caboose are westbound at Glencoe, PA in September 1982.
I caught a westbound being pushed by SD40-2 #7605 & ex-WM SD-35 #7574. The freight is on track 1 while track 2 is being maintained at Glencoe, PA in September 1982. the new ballast has the westbound freight creating some âdustâ!
Heading west from Glencoe, our group traveled the 3rd track. Ed Kaspriske took this photo on the bridge near Philson. I took his photo as he was taking photo of photo of my van in September 1980. If that bridge held the big EM-1âs, it will hold our vans!
Mance, PA
Mance, PA offers some nice photographic opportunities back in those days. This is one of my favorite scenery photos with the farm in the background. The Fall colors are starting to appear in this October 1986 scene.
The Fall colors were much better as this westbound freight with a lot of power. CSX has already re-numbered many of the diesels now. There is a lot a different paint schemes on this train! The work crew is installing new fiber optic cables along side the right of way.
The westbound freight is on the Horseshoe Curve, passing the farm at Mance, in October 1986.
This eastbound freight caught us by surprise at the Mance Road crossing. The Mance Post Office is on the right side in the photo that I took in October 1988.
Nightfall is approaching in September 1982 and I took this photo of this westbound freight led by GP40 #4025 with my Nikon FM-2 and the flash set on manual discharge. I feel night shots offer a different photographic appearance.
In those days, a Norfolk & Western night eastbound train with a high nose SD45 #1734 and SD40-2 #6128 came down around 10:30 PM. The light mountain rain was shown in the headlight.
The Amtrak eastbound capital Limited would pass us at any time. All we knew that it was a morning eastbound train! This train had 2 dome cars in the consist.
I took a photo of a GP-9 #6557 & other units leading a westbound coal train up Sand Patch grade in September 1980. The train is crossing Mance Road with the post office on the right side of the picture.
Ex-B&O SD40 #7599 & ex WM SD40 #7595 & SD35 #7540 are drifting east in the early evening as they return to Hyndman for another job pushing a train west. I took this photo at with the old âPâ signal in view at Mance in September 1979.
Ex-C&O SD40-2 #7509, ex-Western Maryland SD40 #7547 & 2 other units are helping an eastbound grain train descend the Grade at Mance in the early evening in September 1979.
GP-9 # 5982 & caboose are westbound at Mance in September 1980.
Chessie SD40-2 #7617 & 7613 are pushing a westbound freight at Mance on moon lit night in September 1980.
Manila, PA
Our group rarely went to Manila, PA back then. I did take a few photos during the times we visited the area.
I caught former B&O GP38 #4815 with a westbound freight in September 1983.
I took a photo of an ex-C&O SD40 #7510 and a former B&O unit powering an eastbound out of the Sand Patch tunnel at Manila, PA in September 1981.
I was able to photograph a meet at Manila on the Sand Patch grade. GP40-2 #4306 has a westbound and an ex-C&O #7534and another unit lead an eastbound in the October 1986 photo.
Ex-B&O GP-40 #6582 with the CSX renumber, is approaching Manila, PA. June 13, 1992. I was on the way back from Dayton, Ohio and followed the Sand Patch from Connellsville, PA to Cumberland on that June day.
Sand Patch, PA
The town of Sand Patch, built primarily along the tracks, once included a post office (established in 1873), the Sand Patch Hotel, at least two stores and as many as twenty dwellings (one is facing the tracks). Railroad structures included a switch tower, a depot, coal and water stations as well as a âwyeâ to turn the steam engines that pushed trains up the Grade. Sand Patch is located within the Township of Larimer which is a minor civil division (MCD) of Somerset County.
Sand Patch, PA back in the day was a great place for photography. The Deal Road bridge offered some photographic opportunities as did many other Sand Patch areas.
Our group visited the town of Sand Patch, PA a few times.
Chessie. Sand Patch Tower, interlocking & helper siding looking west in September 1981.
A. view of the east end of the Sand Patch tunnel in October 1986.
Chessie. Sand Patch tunnel with a freight approaching. The tunnel is 4475 feet long. This is the west end of the tunnel in September 1980.
This is what 4475 feet look like. The inside of the Sand Patch tunnel in September 1980.
The west end of the Sand Patch tunnel with B&O GP-35 #3581 & GP40-2 #4257 in September 1980..
GP-40 # 4216 leads an eastbound freight from the Sand Patch tunnel in October 1986.
Chessie SD40-2 #7510 & former B&O GP40 #4814 are westbound at Sand Patch. The concrete sign proudly proclaims âSummit of the Alleghenies 2258 feetâ in this September 1981 photo.
GP-9 #6538; GP-38 #3701, GP-40 #4040, GP-40 #4299 are pushing a grain train under Deal Road at Sand Patch, PA in September 1982.
Sand Patch helpers SD40-2 #8392, SD40-2 #8077 & GP40-2 #6166 are westbound in the light rain in October 1988. The Fall colors brighten up the scene.
Chessie SD40-2 #7613, ex-Western Maryland SD-40 #7549, ex-B&O SD-40 #7599 & #3780 are working hard as they approach the Sand Patch Tunnel in September 1983.
Chessie SD40-2 #7613, Western Maryland SD-40 #7549, B&O SD-40 #7599 & #3780 are heading into the Sand Patch Tunnel in September 1983.
The helpers are being cut off the westbound train at Sand Patch, PA. The old Deal Road bridge is overhead. It was replaced with a concrete bridge in later years.
SD50 #8556 and SD40-2 #8388 lead an eastbound freight at Sand Patch on a rainy day in October 1988.
A former B&O GP30 #6909 is westbound with a ballast train in September 1982.
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