The Illinois Terminal Heritage unit lead NS train 20K past the closed Alto Tower.

Juniata Terminal's matched PRR E8A's pass the now closed Alto Tower during the public excursion from Altoona, PA. to Gallitzin, PA.

"Passing Alto Tower"

Three NS GE's lead a lengthy intermodal train down the mountain as the train passes a no longer manned Alto tower.

Alto Tower is in its last days (or nights, in this case) as a helper set drifts by. I wanted to get here while the tower was still open because I knew the blue ALTO sign would vanish almost immedi... (more)

An eastbound Conrail TV (for Trail Van--and old Pennsy term) intermodal drops downgrade into Altoona after negotiating Horseshoe Curve just a few miles back upgrade.

The Nickle Plate Road 765 passes by Alto Tower as it eases into Altoona after the return trip through Horseshoe Curve.

A helper set begins their shove out of Altoona as they pass Alto.

The NS 6303 helps push another Intermodel west out of Altoona by ALTO Tower and soon through Horseshoe Curve.

The Amtrak Pennsylvanian has not one but two B32-8s for power. Also in the consist behind the head end is the Ohio Central private car "Sugar Creek". Pictured passing the former ALTO tower slowing... (more)

The NS 6763 leads an Autorack train east by ALTO Tower and into Altoona. In the left side background you can see the NS Police waiting for the arrival of the Nickel Plate 765.

Amtrak 822(Phase III) leading AMTK 42 pass ALTO Tower.

Time continues to tick away on the clock but the time for Alto operating as a manned tower was coming to a slow end as the NS was planning the towers closure. A SD40E helper set rolls past Alto as... (more)

A pair of SD40E's provide dynamic braking for a loaded coal train as they roll by the now closed Alto Tower.

A pair of SD40E's pass ALTO Tower, headed west.

A classy Phase IV Dash 8 passes ALTO Tower, which was the last manned tower in the state of Pennsylvania. Just over a year before this photo was taken, the tower was officially closed and a new co... (more)