On my way to a trainshow in Altoona PA, I saw a long coal train heading west up grade to Horseshoe Curve. About a mile behind the coal train were two engines following but going so slow that I doubt they would catch the train at that speed before it reached the summit.
What were the engines doing?
If they were SD40-2’s, they were helpers (I assume, having been to Altoona almost a dozen times [:)]). The NS Pittsburgh Line (which Horseshoe is on) is one of the few places in the country today that uses manned helpers.
They certainly could have been SD-40s. Like I said it didn’t look like they were trying to catch the train.
I guess they could have been done, but htey were still several miles from the top.
If it was the same 2 engines I saw under the bridge they were SD70’s I think. Way to small to be a SD40’s. I can tell you that 98% of the helper service is done by Altoona station, actually about 1/2 mile past it. I guess it was following the train. I have been to the curve countless times and can’t remember how many engines round the curve alone. As I was comming home from the show I was going over the 17th bridge and saw a second unit that was Union Pacific that I could have swore was a SD90MAC. I went around and stopped up ahead of it by the tracks and was mistaken. What a sight that was.
Maybe they were “Just in case” units If the train bogged down on the hill they would be there, Or maybe just light units going to Pittsburgh?
They were undoubtedly helpers being repositioned. It is not unusual to see light power moving in that area. There is a helper base at Cresson others get added at Johnstown and some even get all the way to Altoona from Pittsburgh and then they have to go back.
Chances are they were a helper set. What some people fail to realize is that it
is just as important to use helpers for the added dynamic braking ability on the downhill run. And I have seem them run “light” uphill to be added on a heavy train to control the
descent.