The date is the 29th of May, 2013. The 765 has completed her public and employee appreciation specials out of and going to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Here we see the big berk storming up and around the 1.7% grade on the world famous Horseshoe Curve. This day was a historic day for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and in Horseshoe Curve history alike. Thank you to all those at the FWRHS who made this possible. Without the volunteers efforts, this scene would not have been possible. I was very privileged to have gotten to ride the excursions and shoot the deadhead, (Thank you Stephen for driving and leading the way up the trail to this spot.)
I know people got better shots of the 765 on Horseshoe, but this one is mine. For that, I am grateful in a way that words can not express. As a Pennsy fan, and a steam fan, this photo, right here, well, it can't get much better than this, and to think that I lived to see it. This is one day, that I will never forget. I can still hear her stomping up the grade, the exhaust and whistle echoing around the curve in my mind today. It was practically an out of body experience. I am lucky I remembered to press the shutter button!
Taken the 29th of May, 2013 on the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Division, (former Pennsylvania Railroad, at the Horseshoe Curve.
The Van Swearingen Brothers standarized freight power for their railroads with nearly identical 2-8-4 Berkshires. Two of these engines are still in excursion service.
