JR Trip to the "West Slope"- Picture thread

[yutzk]

Heres a few of the JointedRail teams pics from our recent trip to the "West Slope". Were working on the route from Johnstown to Altoona so this was a full on research trip, with some fun times to boot!

The others will post their shots as well here so check back in a couple days as well as they add theirs!

At least for mine click on the thumbnail to see full size!

 

[yutzk]

 

[montanawestren]

Haha, nice pics guys!

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

5 out of 20 NS Heritage and 1 Amtrak heritage, I see potential for a "Heritage Headquarters" :hehe:

 

[deadpoolmx55]

 

[n8phu]

Deadpoolmx's Pics removed...

In that second pic, do I see the secret entrance to the JR offices off to the left?

 

[modeltrains]

Awesome shots guys! Looks like you all had a ball as well!

 

[deadpoolmx55]

In that second pic, do I see the secret entrance to the JR offices off to the left?

heck no! that tunnel is too creepy for us, we went to the other side where its open still and ill tell you what is one of the creepier things I've ever seen.

 

[4449tj]

I see you made it to the east side of the tunnels but, did you go to Bennington curve?
TJ

 

[deadpoolmx55]

I see you made it to the east side of the tunnels but, did you go to Bennington curve?
TJ

i mean we saw it from the cemetery parking lot, but we didn't go there, our guide said it was rattle snake infested

 

[Bluewater]

The D9 in the first pic is wearing a monocle!

 

[4449tj]

We have been up on the rock out cropping two or three times and have yet to see any.
TJ
P.S Who was your guide?

 

[yutzk]

We have been up on the rock out cropping two or three times and have yet to see any.
TJ
P.S Who was your guide?

Me....I've heard it has quite the population of snakes but im sure it depends on time of year too.

 

[n8phu]

Several Magazine articles warn of the Rattlesnake population at Benny.

 

[epa]

5 out of 20 NS Heritage and 1 Amtrak heritage, I see potential for a "Heritage Headquarters" :hehe:

And now you know why I want to move to Pennsylvania.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Several Magazine articles warn of the Rattlesnake population at Benny.

Timber rattlers and copperheads infest Pennsylvania, they usually hide, or slither away when they sence humans, but if they hide, and you further more bother them (railfanning) they will give you a poisonous wet bite. They don't really rely on their eyesight, as they mostly sence with their tongues, and vibrations ... their favorite places are RR tracks, hot grassy areas, and creeks or storm drains. Dogs will easily sneek up on a snoozing poisonous snake, while walking a gravel RR trailbed.

 

[simulatortrain]

I left most of the serious photography to the other guys, since I knew they have better cameras and the angles would usually be the same.

I did find this reporting mark interesting:

Reposting these from the other thread:

 

[deadpoolmx55]

Timber rattlers and copperheads infest Pennsylvania, they usually hide, or slither away when they sence humans, but if they hide, and you further more bother them (railfanning) they will give you a poisonous wet bite.

its mainly in the mountains, I have lived in northwestern PA my whole life, and I've gone 25 years without seeing one rattler. garden snakes and copper head and cotton mouths yes.

 

[cascaderailroad]

As this was a research trip, I will gladly try to answer any questions that you might have, via Skype.

I have often wondered what is left of the Packsaddle Narrows trackside watchbox garden park the crown jewel of the Pennsylvania Railroad, west of Johnstown ?

I tried to find any remains of the Cresson Flyover ... OMG ... there are absolutely no remains of it !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3njTDRvJ_B0

In this shot, the tracks to the left were the main (that once burrowed under the hump at Homer tower) ... the tracks on the right were at one time the freight main that wound a twisted trough the East Altoona yard(s), and rejoined together at Antis interlocking.
http://jointedrail.com/jrfm/files/screenshots/6cf0590b7824f638de407667a6989973.JPG

 

[GN1996]

Great shots everybody! That reporting mark is awesome! Too bad there isn't one that says ACDC.