CSX Transportation Historical Society

-->

Summer Vacation 2021 - Altoona and Horseshoe Curve

Rail Fan Adventure --

After a busy Thursday, 06-24-2021, we checked into a motel in Altoona. Heading out to find a place to eat, I headed downtown and to the locomotive shop.

1. Looking through the fence at the east side of the shop. NS 4202. Altoona PA. 06-24-21.
Looking through the fence at the east side of the shop. NS 4202. Altoona PA. 06-24-21.

2. NS 4202. View 2. Altoona PA.
NS 4202. View 2. Altoona PA.

3. NS 4202 is now a “AC44C6M”, an AC conversion by Wabtec/GE at Fort Worth TX. Previously it was Dash 9-44CW 8992 built by GE in 1996. Altoona PA.
NS 4202 is now a “AC44C6M”, an AC conversion by Wabtec/GE at Fort Worth TX. Previously it was Dash 9-44CW 8992 built by GE in 1996. Altoona PA.

4. NS SW1001 2103 is one of 3 left on the roster. They are all listed as Altoona shop switchers. 2103 is ex-Reading 2613. Altoona PA. NS 4202-6199.
NS SW1001 2103 is one of 3 left on the roster. They are all listed as Altoona shop switchers. 2103 is ex-Reading 2613. Altoona PA. NS 4202-6199.

Friday morning, 06-25-2021, we went up to the Horseshoe Curve. We arrived about 0930 but discovered the park had not opened yet. In the meantime Amrack No. 42, the Pennsylvanian, hustled down the hill for its 0957 arrival in Altoona. Then the park opened at 10:00!

5. NS 4286-BNSF 5217 comes down the steep grade with an oil train. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 4286-BNSF 5217 comes down the steep grade with an oil train. Horseshoe Curve.

6. NS e/b 66E-21 (Trenton ND-Chicago-Eddystone PA) with 102 loads of crude oil. NS 4286-BNSF 5217. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.
NS e/b 66E-21 (Trenton ND-Chicago-Eddystone PA) with 102 loads of crude oil. NS 4286-BNSF 5217. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.

7. NS 4286-BNSF 5217. View 3. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 4286-BNSF 5217. View 3. Horseshoe Curve.

8. NS manned helpers 7241-7245. Horseshoe Curve.
NS manned helpers 7241-7245. Horseshoe Curve.

9. NS 7241 and 7245 are classed “SD70ACU”. They are ex-UP SD90MACs. NS 7241 was built 01-1996 and rebuilt 02-2017. NS 7245 was rebuilt 06-2016. Originally 6000 HP they are now rated 4500 HP. These are 2 of 15 that are equipped with “Helperlink” for Altoona pusher service. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 7241 and 7245 are classed “SD70ACU”. They are ex-UP SD90MACs. NS 7241 was built 01-1996 and rebuilt 02-2017. NS 7245 was rebuilt 06-2016. Originally 6000 HP they are now rated 4500 HP. These are 2 of 15 that are equipped with “Helperlink” for Altoona pusher service. Horseshoe Curve.

10. When new, these PRR GP9s were the “Queens of the Fleet” and assigned to priority freights and piggyback. They were set up to run long end forward. NS PRR 7048. Horseshoe Curve.
When new, these PRR GP9s were the “Queens of the Fleet” and assigned to priority freights and piggyback. They were set up to run long end forward. NS PRR 7048. Horseshoe Curve.

11. NS 8062-1038 round the curve with w/b 25Z-24 (ERail to Chicago 47th St.). NS 8062 is a GE ES44AC built 2011. NS 1038 is a SD70ACe also built in 2011. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 8062-1038 round the curve with w/b 25Z-24 (ERail to Chicago 47th St.). NS 8062 is a GE ES44AC built 2011. NS 1038 is a SD70ACe also built in 2011. Horseshoe Curve.

12. NS 8062-1038. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 8062-1038. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.

13. NS 8062-1038. View 3. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 8062-1038. View 3. Horseshoe Curve.

14. NS 7236-7254 are also “Helperlink” equipped SD70ACU engines in the Altoona pusher pool. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 7236-7254 are also “Helperlink” equipped SD70ACU engines in the Altoona pusher pool. Horseshoe Curve.

15. Maybe they are not steam for vintage diesels, but it is still a thrill to watch trains negotiate “the curve.” NS 7236-7254. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.
Maybe they are not steam for vintage diesels, but it is still a thrill to watch trains negotiate “the curve.” NS 7236-7254. View 2. Horseshoe Curve.

16. NS 4440-4118 have w/b 651-25 (Baltimore to Shire Oaks PA) with 128 empties for a Southwest Pennsylvania mine. Horseshoe Curve.
NS 4440-4118 have w/b 651-25 (Baltimore to Shire Oaks PA) with 128 empties for a Southwest Pennsylvania mine. Horseshoe Curve.

17. NS Horseshoe Curve marker. Click here for a larger image.
NS Horseshoe Curve marker.

18. We were heading for the car to leave about 11:30 when e/b coal 590-23 (Bailey Mine-Baltimore) came down the hill with 130 loads. Pushers 7249-7232 are also in the pool. I saw 6 of the 15 “Helperlink” pushers. Horseshoe Curve.
We were heading for the car to leave about 11:30 when e/b coal 590-23 (Bailey Mine-Baltimore) came down the hill with 130 loads. Pushers 7249-7232 are also in the pool. I saw 6 of the 15 “Helperlink” pushers. Horseshoe Curve.

We headed for Kentucky,

19. Holidaysburg topo 1:24,000 scale for 2016 showing climb from Altoona to Bennington curve and new US 22 coming up Sugar Run. Hollidaysburg, PA, 1:24,000 quad, 2016, USGS. Click here for a larger image.
Holidaysburg topo 1:24,000 scale for 2016 showing climb from Altoona to Bennington curve and new US 22 coming up Sugar Run. Hollidaysburg, PA, 1:24,000 quad, 2016, USGS.

20. Holidaysburg 1:62,500 scale for 1902 that also includes the New Portage Branch (Mule Shoe curve) coming up from Hollidaysburg. Hollidaysburg PA, 1:62,500 quad, 1902, USGS. Click here for a larger image.
Holidaysburg 1:62,500 scale for 1902 that also includes the New Portage Branch (Mule Shoe curve) coming up from Hollidaysburg. Hollidaysburg PA, 1:62,500 quad, 1902, USGS.

21. PRR Horseshoe Curve postcard.
PRR Horseshoe Curve postcard.

22. PRR Horseshoe Curve. Back of postcard.
PRR Horseshoe Curve. Back of postcard.

23. Two post cards I purchased at the Horseshoe Curve gift shop in 1970. I was on vacation with my parents. PRR Horseshoe Curve.
Two post cards I purchased at the Horseshoe Curve gift shop in 1970. I was on vacation with my parents. PRR Horseshoe Curve.

24. Penn Central 6522-6000 with a westbound freight pass the site of “Slope” tower leaving Altoona on 05-10-1972. The 10 mile 1.75% grade up to Gallitzin starts here.
Penn Central 6522-6000 with a westbound freight pass the site of “Slope” tower leaving Altoona on 05-10-1972. The 10 mile 1.75% grade up to Gallitzin starts here.

25. PC 6522-6000 Slope.
PC 6522-6000 Slope.

26. Lowell Suttman and I were able to beat the slow moving freight to “The Curve”, run up the steps and get PC U-28C 6522 and “class” SD35 6000 growling past on track 4 (westbound freight track). The U28Cs were part of PRR’s 1966 engine order that included the 2800 HP U28C, the 3000 HP ALCo C-630 and the 3600 HP EMD SD45. The last few GEs on the order were delivered as 3000 HP U30Cs. The SD35s were part of the 1965 order and numbered 40 units. Horseshoe Curve.
Lowell Suttman and I were able to beat the slow moving freight to “The Curve”, run up the steps and get PC U-28C 6522 and “class” SD35 6000 growling past on track 4 (westbound freight track). The U28Cs were part of PRR’s 1966 engine order that included the 2800 HP U28C, the 3000 HP ALCo C-630 and the 3600 HP EMD SD45. The last few GEs on the order were delivered as 3000 HP U30Cs. The SD35s were part of the 1965 order and numbered 40 units. Horseshoe Curve.

27. PC SD40 6097 and SD45 6170 push the ex-NYC bay window caboose. Horseshoe Curve.
PC SD40 6097 and SD45 6170 push the ex-NYC bay window caboose. Horseshoe Curve.

28. PC SD45 6140, SD40 6263 and SD45s 6229 and 6155 power another westbound freight. This train is using track 3 that was previously used for westbound passenger trains. But we are a year into Amtrak, so passenger trains are not a factor anymore. A lite helper drops down the hill. Horseshoe Curve. 05-10-1972.
PC SD45 6140, SD40 6263 and SD45s 6229 and 6155 power another westbound freight. This train is using track 3 that was previously used for westbound passenger trains. But we are a year into Amtrak, so passenger trains are not a factor anymore. A lite helper drops down the hill. Horseshoe Curve. 05-10-1972.

29. PC 6190-6263-6229-6155, Horseshoe Curve.
PC 6190-6263-6229-6155, Horseshoe Curve.

30. PC SD45 helper 6167 drops down the grade on track 2 formerly used by e/b passenger trains. Horseshoe Curve.
PC SD45 helper 6167 drops down the grade on track 2 formerly used by e/b passenger trains. Horseshoe Curve.

31. PC SD40 6103 and SD45 6139 drop downgrade with company ballast. Horseshoe Curve.
PC SD40 6103 and SD45 6139 drop downgrade with company ballast. Horseshoe Curve.

32. Lowell and I go up to Gallitzin (Tunnel Hill) and figured how to drive down to “Benny” the east portals of the summit tunnels. PC GP9 7245 and ALCo RS27 2411 have a train of empty hoppers heading to Spangler. Benny.
Lowell and I go up to Gallitzin (Tunnel Hill) and figured how to drive down to “Benny” the east portals of the summit tunnels. PC GP9 7245 and ALCo RS27 2411 have a train of empty hoppers heading to Spangler. Benny.

33. PC 7245 is heading into the westbound Gallitzin Tunnel. In the foreground is the New Portage Branch which comes up the mountain from Hollidaysburg via the Mule Shoe Curve. PC 7245-2411. Benny.
PC 7245 is heading into the westbound Gallitzin Tunnel. In the foreground is the New Portage Branch which comes up the mountain from Hollidaysburg via the Mule Shoe Curve. PC 7245-2411. Benny.

34. My first visit to the Horseshoe Curve was on a misty 08-09-1970 with my parents. Penn Central 2615-7324-6145 handle a w/b freight. Horseshoe Curve.
My first visit to the Horseshoe Curve was on a misty 08-09-1970 with my parents. Penn Central 2615-7324-6145 handle a w/b freight. Horseshoe Curve.

35. PC U25B 2615 is ex-PRR 2515 built in 1962. Horseshoe Curve.
PC U25B 2615 is ex-PRR 2515 built in 1962. Horseshoe Curve.

36. PC GP9 7324 is ex-NYC built in 1955. Horseshoe Curve.
PC GP9 7324 is ex-NYC built in 1955. Horseshoe Curve.

37. PC SD45 6145 is ex-PRR from the 1966-67 order. 08-09-1970. Horseshoe Curve.
PC SD45 6145 is ex-PRR from the 1966-67 order. 08-09-1970. Horseshoe Curve.

38. Penn Central. Horseshoe Curve.
Penn Central. Horseshoe Curve.

39. PC SD45s 6200-6239 and SD35 6020 shove hard. Horseshoe Curve.
PC SD45s 6200-6239 and SD35 6020 shove hard. Horseshoe Curve.

40. I can’t find anything on 6239 as being ex-PRR. It was probably ordered by Penn Central. 6234 was PRR’s last SD45. Horseshoe Curve.
I can’t find anything on 6239 as being ex-PRR. It was probably ordered by Penn Central. 6234 was PRR’s last SD45. Horseshoe Curve.

41. Penn Central. Horseshoe Curve.
Penn Central. Horseshoe Curve.

42. K-4s 1361 would later be restored to service and replaced here by GP9 7048. It is being rebuilt again! Horseshoe Curve.
K-4s 1361 would later be restored to service and replaced here by GP9 7048. It is being rebuilt again! Horseshoe Curve.

43. Before leaving I heard the whine of pushers dropping downgrade. PC SD40 6045 and U25C 6510 were both ex-PRR. Horseshoe Curve.
Before leaving I heard the whine of pushers dropping downgrade. PC SD40 6045 and U25C 6510 were both ex-PRR. Horseshoe Curve.

Vacation over!

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young