The rear helper on 21Q slows the train as it passes through the town of Summerhill, PA and under the classic former PRR signal bridge in town. This signal bridge is on borrowed time and will be di... (more)

A helper set slowly drifts off the mountain and through Alto Interlocking in downtown Altoona. The PRR signal lights mounted on the signal bridge are the westbound home signals for the interlockin... (more)

The helper on 11V pushes hard against the rear of the train to keep the heavy monster rolling through downtown Altoona. In the shot one can clearly see the start of the grade up the mountains near... (more)

The helper on NS 20T slows the train to a stop to cut off and then head back west for another eastbound train. This view was taken from the 17th street overpass in town.

With a SD40E normally assigned to helper operations out of Altoona, PA, NS 539 grinds west through Horningford, PA with an empty PPL coal train in tow.

A four banger of helper power drifts east through Sankertown, PA on the NS Pittsburgh Line.

A pair of helpers shove an Eastbound manifest trade with dozens of tractors headed for export up the steep grade of the Allegheny Mountains. The signal heads on the bridge were removed a week befo... (more)

NS 6314 and company gently ease NS 20Q into the Gallitzin Tunnel as they crest the top of the mountains west of Altoona, PA.

A pair of SD40E helpers shove hard on the rear of loaded corn train 40T to assist it over the grade in Cresson on the Pittsburgh Line.

With a helper ahead, NS 10G blasts through Portage, PA with the ex-PRR signals standing guard.

A pair of Norfolk Southern SD40E's run down grade after assisting an eastbound over the Alleghenies and are about to pass under the PRR signals just outside Cresson.

On a hazy April morning the rear helpers of NS 38Q pass MG Tower and interlocking. This control point has since been cut over as crews continue their way west on the Pittsburgh Line, removing inte... (more)

A set of Norfolk Southern SD40E helpers glide down the slope at Portage PA. These signals, along with all the other class PRR signals on the line, are quickly disappearing, as PTC installation cre... (more)

Norfolk Southern train 40T's helper set works hard to push the massive loaded unit corn/feed train up the mountain on the Pittsburgh line. The train is seen here under the 'bridgnal' signals at mp... (more)

The NS C65 local to Erie is working industries off the former mainline on the west side of Erie. On the head end of the train are flatcars loaded with GE ES43ACmi's from GE Transportation's Erie P... (more)