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I'll be driving through PA and looking for places to stop and get some time in for rail photography. I was thinking about going through Altoona PA from the Washington DC area on my way to Ohio near PA (Youngstown). I know I'll stop at the horseshoe turn (is there ability to stop and get photos there) and I hear about a great repair shop in Altoona. Then from there I'll go to turnpike to Ohio or follow 422 thought the mountains. I'll go basted on what I learn as the best route to enjoy the rail sights.
Any thoughts would be great.
Dave
There's a huge viewing area at the Horseshoe Curve. It has become quite a tourist attraction although I imagine the crowds have thinned out now that it's 25 with snow.
You can take all the photos you want as long as stay behind the fence and off the right of way.
From what I've read recently, the Altoona Works have become very unfriendly. The NS has constructed new fencing even around disused portions of the shop and the NS police have been very diligent about arresting trespassers. There are some overpasses and a few public streets where you can still get some shots but you need a good camera, lens, and tripod because most of the action will be at least a 1/4 mile away.
The PA and Ohio turnpikes are boring and the closest thing you'll see to trains is four of the tunnels and the grade of the long defunct South Pennsylvania RR, which did all this work in the 1880's and then went bankrupt before it could lay any track. The state bought the grade and tunnels in 1935 and used part of the grade and six of the seven tunnels for the original Turnpike. The Ohio Turnpike doesn't even have an interesting history.
US 422 is a more interesting road since you can follow some older sections of road that parallel the tracks. A lot of the newer sections go away from the tracks so it's best to follow the business routes if you want to see trains. If the weather is really bad, hole up for a few days or stay on the Turnpikes as there are parts of 422 that are still a tough drive when it's icy and snowing.
Thanks Jim! It's lucky for me that I get off the Ohio T-Pike at the first exit for Youngstown. I'll post any photos I get from the trip.
Dave
There's a nice place to watch the Altoona Yard and get some good pictures. If you follow the tracks north from the rail museum about 2-3 miles, you will come to an overpass over the yard. There is a pedestrian bridge where you can set up a tripod or use your handheld. Here are a few of my pics from there.
Chip,
Thanks for the posting, good shots there. What type of camera and lens do you have? I ask so I know if mine will be enough as I figure it will but if you have something like 400 zoom then I'm out of luck.
Also, it's not my lucky trip as the museum will be closed then - I was checking and it is closed over the holidays and I'm thinking this will be the time I travel up there. Gotta do more planning.
Dave
Spacemouse, is that overpass just past the turntable, at the back of the Sheetz gas station?
Ron
Chip,
Thanks for the posting, good shots there. What type of camera and lens do you have? I ask so I know if mine will be enough as I figure it will but if you have something like 400 zoom then I'm out of luck.
Also, it's not my lucky trip as the museum will be closed then - I was checking and it is closed over the holidays and I'm thinking this will be the time I travel up there. Gotta do more planning.
Dave
I have a Fuji 5200 FinPix 5mp w/ 10x optical zoom. You can get a lot of shots without zoom.
Spacemouse, is that overpass just past the turntable, at the back of the Sheetz gas station?
Ron
I don't know. This was the one and only time I went and I just kinda felt my way to it.
You will enjoy Altoona , I am there many time through out the year..
A few miles south of Altoona on Rt. 22(??) is the Everett RR. When I was there in November, the Everett 44 tonner was there as well as a GP (7/9) and a heavyweight observation car. You can drive right past the equipment - also the end of track. This is located just south of the "WYE Motel".
Also next to the museum is a medical center ( & a McDonalds with a Sheetz almost across the street). There is plenty of parking & you are only a few feet from the tracks & across from the Amtrak Station.
Across from the former Hollidaysburg car shop is a scrap yard. They have what appears to be a 45 ton switcher. I missed shooting it by a minute as it was backing into the yard.
Between Altoona & Harrisburg is Lewistown - refurbished station.
If you get as far as Harrisburg, there is Enola yard - formerly PRR. There is room to shoot from the "cliff" down into the engine area. This is almost at the intersection of I-81 & Rt. 11/15. There is also the steel mill in Steelton (Steelton & Highspire RR.). It's been awhile but power WAS shootable from the road,
Just east of Harrisburg is Hummelstown - home of the Middletown & Hummelstown. They have an Alco T-6 and a centercab. They may also have a few trolleys. This is an ex-Reading line. The tracks are easy to find.
Too bad East Broad Top is closed for the winter - narrow gauge.
My wife and I just took a trip to the Horseshoe Curve last month. We met some of our friends from the Eastern part of the state and stayed at a place called the Tunnel Inn. What a great place to stay.. It was overlooking the Gallitzen Tunnels and we sat on the deck and watched trains all evening. We saw a lot of CSX, Amtrak, and cargo haulers. I highly recommend you stay there when you are in Altoona.
If you can make it to Lancaster PA you'll find the Strasburg RR, which is home for a very large railroad museum. You won't be disappointed.
My wife and I just took a trip to the Horseshoe Curve last month. We met some of our friends from the Eastern part of the state and stayed at a place called the Tunnel Inn. .
This is Cresson. The inn is across the tracks from the RJ Corman interchange. There is also a nice viewing platform at track level.
If you are into history, there is also the Alleghany Portage historical site in Portage.
Spacemouse, is that overpass just past the turntable, at the back of the Sheetz gas station?
Ron
It looks like that is the location - about a block past the turntable. There is a former bakery building across the street from the yard. There are also many freight cars stored on both sides of the bridge.
It looks like that is the location - about a block past the turntable. There is a former bakery building across the street from the yard. There are also many freight cars stored on both sides of the bridge.
I was at the turntable last year, but I did,nt know the bridge was just around the corner, I should have paid more attention to my maps !!
Ron
A few miles south of Altoona on Rt. 22(??) is the Everett RR. When I was there in November, the Everett 44 tonner was there as well as a GP (7/9) and a heavyweight observation car. You can drive right past the equipment - also the end of track. This is located just south of the "WYE Motel".
Theres also a pretty good model railroad store close by, Genes Trains,
www.genestrains.com/
I only had chance to go in a couple of times, but I,ve made a big list of stuff I want for next time !!
Ron
I know this is probably out of your way, but Stradsburg is a great place for train "nuts". The PRR museum is there & across the street is the Stratsburg RR, which I believe is the oldest operating Rr in the US. The RR also has a new strictly trains hobby shop. Down the street is another train shop that stocks Z thru G. Upstairs is a shop with used trains, videos, books & clothes. Also upstairs is a well stocked Thomas Shop. Jerry
Jerry,
Thanks for the info and I'll be sure to keep it in mind as it's the other direction from where I'm heading this trip.
Dave
Dave,
Will we be seeing a trip summary upon return??
Jay
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