On a beautiful fall morning, Norfolk Southern train 11K (Allentown, PA-Conway, PA manifest) slowly bends around the trackside observation park at the world-famous Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The NS Pittsburgh line is well-known among railfans as the most active line in the Norfolk Southern System. The most well-known spot along it by far is Horseshoe Curve. Here, the line makes a complete 180 degree U-turn, allowing visitors in the park to see a train wrap completely around them. The curve was completed in 1854 as a way of reducing the grade up the Alleghany Mountains of the then Pennsylvania Railroad Mainline. Since then, the curve has passed under the ownership of three more railroads, The Penn Central Transportation Company, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern.
Here NS 10K can be seen attacking the grade. On this portion of the line, it’s very common to see helper engines pushing heavy freights like 10K up the slope. Although with DPUs becoming more common, they are not needed as much.
It was certainly a wonderful trip, and one that I had planned for a long time. Thanks for all the likes, follows, and shares! I hope you all have enjoyed.
