New video -- Empty Coal Train from South Fork to Mine 78 in Windber!!
See all the action here: https://youtu.be/KHJPkV-rxXI
See all the action here: https://youtu.be/KHJPkV-rxXI
NS South Fork Secondary - Large Images - WIP
- Thread starter billm001
- Start date
80 Minutes in Sidman
80 Minutes in Sidman - Part 1
Railfanning between 7:45am - 9:05am on July 8, 1984
in Sidman, PA on Conrail's South Fork Secondary
See all of the action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
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745 a.m. As I arrive at Sidman, a crew with the Sidman Local is already switching out boxcars on the spur serving Penn Traffic. The spur leaves the Beaver Secondary right nears its junction with the South Fork Secondary. Performing the switch is Conrail engine #1970, a B23-7 while sister #1788 awaits to attach herself the consist for the haul back to South Fork. Tracks visible from right to left: Penn Traffic Spur; Beaver Secondary (#1970 is on the switch); Llanfair Branch (which departs from the Beaver Secondary); and South Fork Secondary main track.
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747 a.m. Engine #1970 is shoving back the boxcars from Penn Traffic to connect to #1788. My vantage point is from the double track bridge over the South Fork Little Conemaugh River. The bridge carries South Fork Secondary track and the Llanfair branch – which serves the coal mines near Dunlo, PA.
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754 a.m. Having just completed switching chores in Sidman and assembled their train, #1788 leans into her consist heading to clear up the main track. The Sidman local will hold on the Beaver Secondary in anticipation of a northbound loaded coal drag on the Llanfair Branch. In the background above the box car is looking southbound at the South Fork Secondary to Central City, PA and the Llanfair Branch.
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801 a.m. Three EMD SD45s, one still in Penn Central patched paint, storm around the curve – its horn blaring for the crossing. This empty hopper train is enroute to Mine #40 near Windber PA. Evidence of a tie replacement program is in view with new ties stacked on the right next to the tracks.
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806 a.m. Rumbling by at every bit of the 20-mph limit, the end of the local is punctuated with CR caboose model N-7E. Blue paint can’t hide its EL ancestry. This model was the last new caboose the EL built in 1969 by the International Car Company. Yes – train in the background is the Sidman Local holding in the clear on the Beaver Secondary for the Llanfair coal drag.
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822 a.m. The loaded coal drag finally shows up. Steep grades on the Llanfair Branch as high as 4.12% restrict northbound trains to 6 mph. GP38-2 #8224 is in heavy dynamic braking as it crawls into town. The red house on the right certainly is treated to a daily dose of horns, diesel exhaust, and brake shoe smoke from is close quarters neighbor.
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END OF PART 1 -- TO BE CONTINUED
80 Minutes in Sidman - Part 1
Railfanning between 7:45am - 9:05am on July 8, 1984
in Sidman, PA on Conrail's South Fork Secondary
See all of the action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
________________________________________________________________________________________________
745 a.m. As I arrive at Sidman, a crew with the Sidman Local is already switching out boxcars on the spur serving Penn Traffic. The spur leaves the Beaver Secondary right nears its junction with the South Fork Secondary. Performing the switch is Conrail engine #1970, a B23-7 while sister #1788 awaits to attach herself the consist for the haul back to South Fork. Tracks visible from right to left: Penn Traffic Spur; Beaver Secondary (#1970 is on the switch); Llanfair Branch (which departs from the Beaver Secondary); and South Fork Secondary main track.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
747 a.m. Engine #1970 is shoving back the boxcars from Penn Traffic to connect to #1788. My vantage point is from the double track bridge over the South Fork Little Conemaugh River. The bridge carries South Fork Secondary track and the Llanfair branch – which serves the coal mines near Dunlo, PA.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
754 a.m. Having just completed switching chores in Sidman and assembled their train, #1788 leans into her consist heading to clear up the main track. The Sidman local will hold on the Beaver Secondary in anticipation of a northbound loaded coal drag on the Llanfair Branch. In the background above the box car is looking southbound at the South Fork Secondary to Central City, PA and the Llanfair Branch.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
801 a.m. Three EMD SD45s, one still in Penn Central patched paint, storm around the curve – its horn blaring for the crossing. This empty hopper train is enroute to Mine #40 near Windber PA. Evidence of a tie replacement program is in view with new ties stacked on the right next to the tracks.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
806 a.m. Rumbling by at every bit of the 20-mph limit, the end of the local is punctuated with CR caboose model N-7E. Blue paint can’t hide its EL ancestry. This model was the last new caboose the EL built in 1969 by the International Car Company. Yes – train in the background is the Sidman Local holding in the clear on the Beaver Secondary for the Llanfair coal drag.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
822 a.m. The loaded coal drag finally shows up. Steep grades on the Llanfair Branch as high as 4.12% restrict northbound trains to 6 mph. GP38-2 #8224 is in heavy dynamic braking as it crawls into town. The red house on the right certainly is treated to a daily dose of horns, diesel exhaust, and brake shoe smoke from is close quarters neighbor.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
END OF PART 1 -- TO BE CONTINUED
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80 Minutes in Sidman - Part 2
Railfanning between 7:45am - 9:05am on July 8, 1984
in Sidman, PA on Conrail's South Fork Secondary
See all of the action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
823 a.m. Flanges squeal, dynamic brakes whine, and creosote fills the nostrils as four engines carefully lead the coal drag northward to South Fork.
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827 a.m. Vantage point looking westward shows the Sidman Local waiting patiently for the Llanfair drag to get out of town. Beans and a hot shower wait for the crew who are nearing the end of their 12-hour work day.
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834 a.m. The end of the coal drag finally appears with four additional Geeps on the rear. With the stiffest grades behind them, speeds are increased to 20 mph enroute to the end/beginning of the line in South Fork, 5 miles to the north.
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905 a.m. There they go, with switches restored to normal and branch lines cleared as the summer morning heat begins even this early in the day. In just 80 minutes, I have been able capture on film a “short turn around” switching job on the Beaver Secondary with the Sidman Local; a “fast” moving empty hopper southbound on the South Fork Secondary; and a heavy coal drag northbound coming off of the Llanfair branch. Now if only there were still passenger trains….
Railfanning between 7:45am - 9:05am on July 8, 1984
in Sidman, PA on Conrail's South Fork Secondary
See all of the action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
823 a.m. Flanges squeal, dynamic brakes whine, and creosote fills the nostrils as four engines carefully lead the coal drag northward to South Fork.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
827 a.m. Vantage point looking westward shows the Sidman Local waiting patiently for the Llanfair drag to get out of town. Beans and a hot shower wait for the crew who are nearing the end of their 12-hour work day.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
834 a.m. The end of the coal drag finally appears with four additional Geeps on the rear. With the stiffest grades behind them, speeds are increased to 20 mph enroute to the end/beginning of the line in South Fork, 5 miles to the north.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
905 a.m. There they go, with switches restored to normal and branch lines cleared as the summer morning heat begins even this early in the day. In just 80 minutes, I have been able capture on film a “short turn around” switching job on the Beaver Secondary with the Sidman Local; a “fast” moving empty hopper southbound on the South Fork Secondary; and a heavy coal drag northbound coming off of the Llanfair branch. Now if only there were still passenger trains….
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For a change up, I made the photo essay into a video: https://youtu.be/GZkb7XBnNmQ
Thank you all for all your kind words over the past year of this route progress!
Thank you all for all your kind words over the past year of this route progress!
Some more Pennsy action on the Secondary. The prototype of this branch was pulled up decades ago. But we are running a time machine!!
Catch more action with us: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
Catch more action with us: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
A pair of Alco switchers rumble into town to swap empties for loads at the Eureka Store Spur in Windber, PA. Trainz 2019.
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/kiOrMcCMfvY
Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/kiOrMcCMfvY
Railwoodman
Well-known member
Vary well done route . Loving the shots posted .
Matt
Matt
I think you are referring to the blue shed beside the train?
There is stacked lumber against the wall that may appear like an opening - however, the opening is facing away on the other walls.
This is what it looks like where to find it:
https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?146929-Lumber-yard-queston&p=1687466#post1687466
Bill
There is stacked lumber against the wall that may appear like an opening - however, the opening is facing away on the other walls.
This is what it looks like where to find it:
https://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?146929-Lumber-yard-queston&p=1687466#post1687466
Bill
I believe it's an unreleased JR Building
As the evening approaches, another batch of black diamonds leaves PBS Coals Shade Creek Prep Plant near Central City, PA. It's June of 1985 and an Ex-Erie Lackawanna caboose brings up the rear of the northbound heading towards South Fork at 10 mph.
Join us for more action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
Join us for more action: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
Must railroad photos always include trains??
Join us for action trackside: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
Join us for action trackside: https://youtu.be/862YBZY4vpU
