December 29th, 2006
We took off from Altoona northward searching for shortlines, stopping to check the NS/Nittany and Bald Eagle interchange at Tyrone and their base at Lock Haven, shot the RDCs at Bellefonte, and returned to the other side of Altoona to hunt for the Everett at Hollidaysburg, following their tracks until we found them switching at Roaring Spring before heading to Gallitzin for one coming out of the tunnel and wrapping up the day at Cresson and Lilly.
Tyrone, Pennsylvania
(map) About 15 minutes north on interstate 99 from Altoona is the town of Tyrone, the northern limits of the Nittany and Bald Eagle's operation and the site of a second interchange with NS, right at the town's Amtrak station.
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
(map) Bellefonte is a small town serviced by the Nittany and Bald Eagle a few miles off interstate 80 near where interstate 99 will eventually intersect with it. There is an RDC-based tourist operation there at the old station.
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
(map) An hour and change north-east of Altoona, Lock Haven is the interchange point between NS and the Nittany and Bald Eagle and the northern end of the Nittany and Bald Eagle's operation.
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A Nittany and Bald Eagle local pulls into the yard at Lock Haven.
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Nittany and Bald Eagle GP16 1601 leaves the yard light power.
Unionville, Pennsylvania
(map) Unionville is a small village along the Nittany and Bald Eagle between Bellefonte and Tyrone.
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Nittany and Bald Eagle 1602 crosses a private crossing in the community of Unionville.
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
(map) Just outside of Altoona to the south, Hollidaysburg is the site of an enormous, totally abandoned freight yard and freight car shop. There is a second, smaller car shop that is still in service. The town is the interchange point between the Everett Railroad and Norfolk Southern.
Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
(map) A few miles south-west of Holidaysburg near Altoona, Roaring Spring is a small town with a large rail-using facility serviced by Everett Railroad.
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Two Everett Railroad Company geeps switch a plant in Roaring Spring.
Gallitzin, Pennsylvania
(map) Just west of Horseshoe Curve on the NS is a 3000 foot tunnel which comes out in the town of Gallitzin.
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An SD70M-2 led intermodal train accepts help climbing through Gallitzin tunnel.
Cresson, Pennsylvania
(map) Cresson is the summit of the hill for which Horseshoe Curve exists. There is an engine facility where several sets of helper units park, the SD80MACs that work in nearby South Fork spend their weekends there, and NS interchanges with R. J. Corman on the wye. There is even a city-owned railfan observation platform at the tracks across from the wye.
Lilly, Pennsylvania
(map) Just outside of Cresson to the west on the NS line, Lilly is a small town with a couple of good locations for railfaning.
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A three-unit intermodal westbound glides down the hill by Lilly.
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Three units pull and four units push this loaded coal train upgrade.
