Clinging to Life

The PRR's position lights are an endangered species. A few vintage examples still cling to life on the mountainside above Altoona, such as this one at PT 244. As an... (more)

Black Snake

A westbound oil train climbs the east slope of the Alleghenies, rounding AG Curve just west of MG ('Mid-Grade') interlocking.

The Beginning of the End

A westbound oil train climbs the east slope of the Alleghenies, passing up the silent sentinel of the mountain, MG tower. The interlocking and tower were ins... (more)

Juniata Nights, City Lights

The companion photo to this photo and my 100th contribution to this database provides an... (more)

I should have had an order hoop to hand on treats to Mail 3H as it climbed the mountain between Horseshoe Curve and MG on an overcast October afternoon. Fuji Sensia.

A Critter Keeps Earning

Union Tank Car's Altoona facility keeps an anachronistic piece of power around. While most repair facilities opt solely for a trackmobile these days, UTLX kee... (more)

The Works

Autorack 27N rolls thru CP WORKS in Altoona. The railcar facility in the immediate background began life as the Pennsylvania Railroad's Altoona Car Shop, and today is opera... (more)

NS 21T lights up the signals at MG. With 2 Clear indications for 2 Westbounds displayed.

On a dreary early afternoon, I thought my road trip to Altoona and to see the curve wouldn't turn anything worthwhile with the chilly temperature, cloudy skies, and lack of color in the trees. Boy... (more)

The Shops Never Sleep

Just because night has fallen doesn't mean a railroad shop can hang up the tools for the day and go home. The Juniata Locomotive Shop is a 24/7 operation, and t... (more)

Coming Around the Mountain

One of Norfolk Southern's AC44C6M units, rebuilt from a D9-40C by GE Fort Worth, leads an empty coal bucket out of the west leg of Horseshoe Curve. The Cur... (more)

A westbound passes MP 242 a short distance west of the visitors center at Horseshoe Curve.

Two sets of helpers help a loaded coal train around the

A pair of helpers on an eastbound freight aid in holding back the train for its downhill glide into Altoona.

A one unit wonder rounds the curve working its hart out up the grade with 10 loaded tie cars in tow