Looking at the mileage/time involved, I need to scale back on some of my plan. It looks like we'll be hitting these places for sure in Pennsylvania: Horseshoe Curve; Sand Patch Grade; Gettysburg. In Ohio: Defiance; Deshler; Fostoria; Tiffin; Willard. If there is time, I really want to get to the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad in WV. Now I need to figure out in what order to hit this places.
Hey Tim, about the D&G. You won't find much except of weekends when the passenger trains run. Much of the line between Belington, Elkins and Bergoo has been used to park out-of-service cars from CSX (mostly coal hoppers) Some have been removed due to an increase in coal traffic, so you could get some shots. [ 21. July 2004, 17:29: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]
Even better than Salisbury Viaduct is Yoder, just a few miles to the west. ***** Sand Patch is a cool spot, but since the tower was removed there are better places for photography on the line. ***** The horseshoe curve at Mance is probably the coolest spot on the line today and offers the best camping in the region. ***** East of Cumberland, Magnolia is the spot to beat. Great camping and great scenery. Nothing could be better. ***** For a quick history lesson swing by HO tower north of Berkley Springs and see one of the last armstrong lever towers in operation in the country.
I would disagree with that one. Since the Curve became a national park it has greatly gone downhill. Now you have to pay just to get trackside and they run you out at night when the most trains run. Your best bet would be to skip it entirely and spend more time around Cumberland.
Make sure you have a full day (plus) for Gettysburg if you want to truly see and feel the history their. I was there in 1999 as well as when I was a child and it's a real eye opener to be there in person.
At the Durbin & Greenbrier, remember they have three separate operations - the FP7 powered excursion train between Bellington and Elkins (usually parked at Bellington), the Durbin & Greenbrier Climax running at Durbin, and the "Salamander" Edwards car running out of Cheat Bridge (US 250 crossing). Cass is just south of there; if you've never been to Cass and like geared steam you've really blown it if you are that close. With the Western Maryland Scenic at Cumberland, the three West Virginia Central operations, Cass, and the Potomac Eagle at Romney, there are six very different operations within about three hours of each other. You can easily blow a week just in WVA, which was kinda the goal of the state. Best way to find out what's running on the West Virginia Central operations on any given day and time is just to call the office in Durbin and ask! They are great people and will help. http://www.mountainrail.com/ Yeah, and take 15 minutes off of I-68 and see Hancock tower. It is 5 minutes off the interstate, easy to see, easy to get to, and a true operating museum. Busy, too.
Pat: I think we'll try to hit the D&G on Friday (July 30) - D&G website says they run then. BrianS: Great pics!!! Darren: We'll be spending 1 day and night at Gettysburg - I think this will be our 5th (?) trip there. My 16 year old son wants to check out some particular places there. Randgust: Does the D&G have a BL2 and FAs? Everyone: Thanks for the posts so far - before we take off on the 25th, I will make a PDF file of this site and upload it to my Pocket PC - that way I can have access to any directions and suggestions you all come up with!
Tim, you can probably find Myersdale, Pa, with your maps. The viaduct is just CSX west of Myersdale. You take Rt 219 out of Myersdale, and you'll go under the viaduct. Go slow because as soon as you go under it, you have to make a hard right turn up the hill. There is a left turn off that road...take it and go on up the hill. You will come to the trail, and you can see the south end from there. It is really something...I hope the weather is perfect for you. Ed
The operation at Bellington/Elkins has the "dummy" FA, which is the "Push" cab car for the short-distance Elkins trains. It has no prime mover - it is cosmetically restored from the ex-Long Island power car it was. But it sure looks good. Normally they run the passenger trains with the FP7 power set in WM. The BL2 is normally the 'freight' locomotive, and I haven't even seen it outside the shed yet. Bellington is about six miles off of Rt. 33 west of Elkins; not too long a delay and it is a hoot with all the WM stuff there even if you don't ride it. But I really advise to check with the D&G and find out what is moving where when if you really want to spot specific units. Belington also has an interesting collection of passenger cars on site including a beaver-tail stainless observation - ex ACL I think.
Back from a great vacation! Saw Horseshoe Curve; Gallitzin tunnels; Harpers Ferry; Cumberland Narrows; Sandpatch and Summit of the Alleghenies; Mance; Willard Ohio; Tiffin; and finally Fostoria. Also spent a day at Gettysburg and had time to stop by Antietam. Seems like we would just arrive somewhere and a train would appear almost immediately - great luck, I guess. Maybe I'll try to figure out how to post a few photos. Thanks to everyone.
Finally - I have started to add pictures - here's the link: http://www.railimages.com/gallery/timloutzenhiser Some fall pictures and a few from this years' vacation.
Mance: Did you venture around the horseshoe or just stay at the crossing? Tiffin: Did you find the Northern Ohio & Western shortline power on the north side of town? Fostoria: I see you were shooting from the closed crossing at Lewis St. Did you trek around town to see anything else?
I just saw the dates of your trip... I see you didn't have much better weather than I did when I was around Mance and Sand Patch three days before you were. Kinda glad I left early now.
If you had time someday I would recommend Railfanning in the Chicago area has a varity of RR's, Lots of Trains and lots of Railfans to yip-yap with. AmtrakFan
Brian: Mance - just stayed near the the crossing - we weren't sure who owns what - wanted to keep our "trespassing" to a minimum! Tiffin - we were there just long enough to catch one freight train and then we hurried along to Fostoria. Fostoria - we shot from a couple locations, including near the NS yard.
