Today we rail-fanned the most popular spot along the Norfolk Southern Pittsburgh Line the “Horseshoe Curve”. We rolled in a few minutes after they opened 9AM. I couldn’t wait to get up there so I climbed up the stairs rather than taking the Funicular. Trust me you get quite a workout going up those stairs to the summit. We got to see a few trains first thing. We learned from the scanner that eastbound Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian was delayed in Jeannette, PA due to a pedestrian struck by a passing freight train. The trains were traveling through but not as frequently coming from the eastbound direction. Later that morning the late eastbound Amtrak made its way around the curve with the Pennsylvania “Colonial Crafts” private car attached.
Yesterday one of the Facebook groups I belong to gave a heads up that the “Illinois Terminal” heritage unit would be making an appearance on the Pittsburgh Line. Cell phone service was a bit spotty up on the curve but a fellow railfan gave me a heads up it was about 20 minutes away. I was ready and alert to get this unit. The green and yellow “Illinois Terminal” made its way around the inside track of the curve so there was no worries about it being blocked by another passing train.
Later in the day we made a stop in Gallitzin to scout out a new location for taking photos then we made our way to Cassandra. Cassandra Railroad Overlook Park is a great location for getting westbound trains with a great curve approaching the park. I was able to get a few trains here but the heat was sweltering so we decided to get an early dinner. We made our way east into Cresson to Vito’s Restaurant & Pizzeria a rail-fan favorite conveniently located across the street from the Heritage Railfan Park. This is the second time I’ve been there and the food is great!
Looking at tomorrow’s forecast the heat will be sticking around so we hope to get an early jump on rail-fanning in the morning. Then cooling down in the AC in some local stores maybe even a few train shops.
