Three big NS GEs lead 11K up track one, also known as "the slide", towards New Portage tunnel and the summit of its climb over the Allegheny mountains.
A pair of SD45-2 helpers provide braking assistance as a unit coal train disappears into the darkness of New Portage Tunnel on its downhill trip towards Altoona.
An eastbound mixed frieght starts its way down the east slope on track two toward Altoona, the train can be seen strerched out through Bennington Curve in the distance.
The helpers on this eastbound coal drag are in full dynamic as they are in the teeth of the 2.1% grade of "The Slide'. Weather conditions were very interesting as the sun was shinning while a sudd... (more)
After stopping to test the brakes, NS 9580 starts it's decent eastbound on track 2 toward Horseshoe Curve as NS 9426 rolls past on track 3 toward the east portal of Allegheny Tunnel and Gallitzin.