he
route from Altoona to Johnstown on the Pittsburgh line
traverses some of the steepest grades east of the Mississippi.
This area is unique due to the combination of mountain railroading and the sheer density and variety of traffic here - it has long been known as the busiest helper district in the country.
Among railfan attractions in Altoona are The Railroaders Memorial Museum, Alto Tower (17th St.), the pedestrian bridge near the AMTRAK station, Juniata Shop, Rose Yard, and The Brickyard at Walnut & 34th St.
NS Pittsburgh Division - Pittsburgh Line
| MILEPOST | STATION |
| Pittsburgh East Dispatcher - AAR 46 (160.800 MHz) | |
| 232.4 | CP-ANTIS...R-ALTO |
| 234.0 | CP-HOMER...R-ALTO |
| 235.7 | CP-WORKS...R-ALTO |
| 236.1 | ALTOONA |
| 236.7 | ALTO |
| 237.2 | CP-SLOPE...R-ALTO |
| 238.4 | HBD-DED 1-2-E |
| 239.7 | McGARVEYS |
| 241.0 | HBD-DED 2-3-W |
| 241.0 | SWD-1-2 |
| 242.0 | HORSESHOE CURVE |
| 243.5 | CP-MG |
| 243.7 | DED |
| 244.4 | ALLEGRIPPUS |
| 246.3 | BENNY |
| 247.3 | SF New Portage Tunnel No. 1 Allegheny Tunnel No. 2, 3 |
| 248.1 | GALLITZIN |
| 248.4 | CP-AR |
| 248.4 | CP-UN |
| 250.5 | CP-MO |
| 251.0 | CRESSON (The Station Inn) |
| 253.1 | HBD-DED-2-3 (Lilly) |
| 253.1 | HBD-DED-HWD-1 (Lilly) |
| 255.9 | CASSANDRA |
| 256.8 | BC |
| 258.3 | PORTAGE |
| 258.8 | DED |
| 259.0 | NY |
| 260.5 | WILMORE |
| 263.9 | SUMMERHILL |
| 264.6 | CP-W |
| 266.1 | CP-SO |
| 268.1 | HBD-DED (Mineral Point) |
| 271.2 | CP-AO |
| 273.2 | CP-C |
| 274.5 | CP-JW |
| 275.1 | JOHNSTOWN |
Timetable Key
- HBD
- Hot Box Detector
- DED
- Dragging Equipment Detector
- HWD
- Hot Wheel Detector
- R-Alto
- Remotely controlled from Alto Tower, Altoona
West of Altoona, on the way to Cresson, is the World Famous Horseshoe Curve (on 40th St.). Further west, at the top of the grade, are the Gallitzin Tunnels.
When you reach Gallitzin, you’ll know you are in friendly, railfan territory. At the tunnels you will be welcomed at a small, pleasant park that sports a beautiful 1941 PRR cabin car. The car is open to visitors. Tunnels Park also has picnic tables, an adjacent museum and restrooms.
Cresson lies three miles west of Gallitzin. Cresson is on the western slope of the Allegheny Front, just west of the Eastern Continental Divide. Cresson is in the Mississippi watershed. Its neighbor, Gallitzin, straddles the Divide and is in the Chesapeake watershed.
The engine terminal at Cresson services helper, mine run and local engines. Cresson’s Front Street observation platform is nearby and provides a good location to photograph terminal operations and mainline traffic.
RJ Corman RR brings coal trains into Cresson off of its Cresson and Irvona branches.
Further west, coal trains are loaded at Portage. On the South Fork Secondary, crews are moving coal from Windber and Central City to the main line at South Fork. SD80MACs handle most of this South Fork traffic.
Between Cresson and Portage there are well known photo locations at Carney’s Crossing in Lilly and at the Iron Bridge in Cassandra.”
Scanner Frequencies
- Road 1: 160.800
- Road 2: 161.070
- Yard: 160.980, 160.995
- MOW: 161.430, 161.055
- Carmen: 161.340
- NS Police: 160.680, 160.560, 160.545
- RJ Corman: 160.845
Local Maps
Railpace Newsmagazine has published several feature articles on the East and West Slopes. Copies of these are available to guests and make railfanning the area relatively easy. Books, magazines, and maps are available in the Common Room to assist guests in making the best use of their railfanning time.
For Additional Information:
Railpace Newsmagazine - "Hot
News" Page, Online Store, Many Links to Rail Websites
Relevant Railpace Issues:
- May, 1992 - Horseshoe Curve
- September, 1995 - Conemaugh to South Fork
- January, 1996 - Summerhill to Cassandra
- February, 1996 - Lilly to Gallitzin
- September, 2002 - Sand Patch East Slope
- January, 2003 - W&LE East End
Trainorders.com - Railroad Discussion, Features
The Railroad Press - TRP Magazine; books and publications focusing on the Northeast U.S.