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Viewing Album: PRR: New Portage Branch Action ~ 1900-1978
By:
Thomas C. Ayers
Dates:
1/1/1959 - 1/31/1968
Album Info:
Here are several photos that were taken at various points along the Pennsylvania Railroad's New Portage Branch Line between 1962 and 1966. At the same time that the Pennsylvania Railroad was building the Horseshoe Curve, the State of Pennsylvania was constructing the New Portage Railroad to replace the weather-dependent inclined planes of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The New Portage Railroad was opened in 1855-1856, but the PRR never used it ~ routing all traffic over its own main line. The PRR bought the State-owned Pennsylvania Canal/Allegheny Portage Railroad system in 1857, and promptly abandoned both. In 1904, however, the PRR reactivated the New Portage right-of-way to provide a relief route for extra traffic both up and down the Allegheny Mountains. The New Portage Branch Line was abandoned for the second and final time in 1981.
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Title:
PRR 3700, HC-1S, c. 1925
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo by Bruce D. Fales. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #3700, an HC-1S (2-8-8-0) "Articulated" built in Juniata during June of 1919 and retired in August of 1929 after just a decade of service. In this context, the Flagman may have just uncoupled #3700 from the train after a successful "pusher" run up the New Portage Branch line. Note the antique truck on the N-5 cabin car. The Flagman's name, the date, and the location are not recorded. (#8,800)
Photo Date:
5/5/1925
Upload Date:
4/20/2022 10:34:01 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Steam
Locomotives:
PRR 3700(UNKNOWN)
Views:
193
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 3481, I-1Sa, 1947
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo by Bruce D. Fales that was taken near Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in June of 1947. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #3481, an I-1SA (2-10-0) "Decapod" built in Juniata as an I-1S during January of 1919, rebuilt as an I-1SA in October of 1941, and retired in January of 1952 after 33 years of faithful service. In this context, it's just passed through the New Portage Tunnel with a mixed-cargo freight train and is about to enter "The Slide" on its way down the Allegheny Mountains to Altoona. The girder bridge spans the westbound leg of the New Portage Branch line. The name of the person at the right is not recorded.
Photo Date:
6/21/1947
Upload Date:
4/23/2022 11:05:09 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Bridge,Steam
Locomotives:
PRR 3481(2-10-0)
Views:
150
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 6173, J-1, 1947
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo by Bruce D. Fales that was taken near Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in June of 1947. Shown here is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #6173, a J-1 (2-10-4) "Texas" built in Juniata during October of 1944 and retired in October of 1957 after just 13 years of revenue service. In this context, this westbound train is about to pass under "The Slide" and enter one of the Gallitzin Tunnels after a successful climb up the Allegheny Mountains via the New Portage Branch line. Note the middle part of the train rounding the curve at the left, just above the J-1's tender. Wave to the Fireman!
Photo Date:
6/21/1947
Upload Date:
4/20/2022 10:32:40 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Steam
Locomotives:
PRR 6173(2-10-4)
Views:
176
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR "Hippo Pushers," 1947
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo by Bruce D. Fales that was taken near Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in June of 1947. Shown here is a pair of unidentified Pennsylvania Railroad Class I-1SA (2-10-0) "Decapods" serving as "pushers" on a westbound train that's already part way through one of the Gallitzin Tunnels after a successful climb up the Allegheny Mountains via the New Portage Branch line. The "pushers" will uncouple on the other side of the Tunnel and return to Altoona for their next runs.
Photo Date:
6/22/1947
Upload Date:
1/20/2022 6:10:53 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
RollingStock,Steam
Locomotives:
Views:
132
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 5899, EP-22, 1962
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo that I took at the Muleshoe Curve on the New Portage Branch Line near Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 08 April 1962. Shown here is the "Railfan Special to the Horseshoe Curve" ~ sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society ~ as it rounds the heart of the Muleshoe Curve. In the lead is Pennsylvania Railroad engine #5899, an EP-22 built by GM-EMD in March of 1951 and rated at 2,250 horsepower.
Photo Date:
4/8/1962
Upload Date:
9/28/2017 4:21:07 PM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Passenger
Locomotives:
PRR 5899(E8A)
Views:
647
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 9683, EH-15, 1964
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo that I took of a Pennsylvania Railroad train near Foot-of-Ten on the New Portage Branch Line west of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 14 June 1964. Shown here (R to L) are PRR engines #9683, #7255, and another "F" unit whose number is not recorded. All were built by EMD. #9683 is an EH-15 built in 1949 and rated at 1,500 horsepower. #7255 is an EFS-17M built in 1959 and rated at 1,750 horsepower. Total head-end horsepower: 4,750. They are pulling a 77-car freight train up the New Portage Branch Line to Gallitzin, where it will merge with the mainline and head West. Most of the cars in this train have just been produced at the PRR's Samuel Rea Shop in Hollidaysburg.
Photo Date:
6/14/1964
Upload Date:
6/18/2016 11:53:59 AM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Action
Locomotives:
PRR 9683(F3A)
PRR 7255(GP9)
Views:
555
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 9683, EH-15, 1964
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo that I took of a Pennsylvania Railroad train near Foot-of-Ten on the New Portage Branch Line west of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 14 June 1964. Shown here (R to L) are PRR engines #9683, #7255, and another "F" unit whose number is not recorded. All were built by EMD. #9683 is an EH-15 built in 1949 and rated at 1,500 horsepower. #7255 is an EFS-17M built in 1959 and rated at 1,750 horsepower. Total head-end horsepower: 4,750. They are pulling a 77-car freight train up the New Portage Branch Line to Gallitzin, where it will merge with the mainline and head West. Most of the cars in this train have just been produced at the PRR's Samuel Rea Shop in Hollidaysburg. Note the two newly-built gondola cars. Very shiny!
Photo Date:
6/14/1964
Upload Date:
6/18/2016 11:55:47 AM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Action
Locomotives:
PRR 9683(F3A)
PRR 7255(GP9)
Views:
644
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 9683, EH-15, 1964
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo that I took of a Pennsylvania Railroad train near Foot-of-Ten on the New Portage Branch Line west of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 14 June 1964. Shown here are two of the three PRR locomotives pulling this westbound freight train. Both were built by EMD. #9683 is an EH-15 built in 1949 and rated at 1,500 horsepower. #7255 is an EFS-17M built in 1959 and rated at 1,750 horsepower. They are pulling a 77-car freight train up the New Portage Branch Line to Gallitzin, where it will merge with the mainline and head West. Most of the cars in this train have just been produced at the PRR's Samuel Rea Shop in Hollidaysburg. Note that the Head-end Brakeman is leaning out the GP-9's cab window!
Photo Date:
6/14/1964
Upload Date:
6/18/2016 11:59:59 AM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Action
Locomotives:
PRR 9683(F3A)
PRR 7255(GP9)
Views:
422
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR 477842, N-5C, 1964
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original photo that I took of a Pennsylvania Railroad train near Foot-of-Ten on the New Portage Branch Line west of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 14 June 1964. Shown here is PRR N-5C Caboose #477842 at the end of a 77-car westbound freight train. Most of the cars in this train have just been produced at the PRR's Samuel Rea Shop in Hollidaysburg. Note the big yellow circle on the newly-built hopper car; this new H-43 can carry 100 tons of cargo! Wave to the Conductor!
Photo Date:
6/14/1964
Upload Date:
6/18/2016 12:03:59 PM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
RollingStock
Locomotives:
Views:
376
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR "Gallitzin Tunnels," #1 of 3, 1965
Description:
New Portage. Here is the first of three photos by John M. Prophet III that were taken near the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on 11 June 1965. It was published originally in his (2009) book entitled "Prophet's Pennsy," page 57. Photo Caption: "EP22 #5708 and two others on a westbound [mail and express] train at 'SF,' approaches the summit of the grade, just east of Gallitzin, Pa., June 11, 1965." Shown here (L to R) are PRR engines #5708 and two more units whose road numbers are not recorded. All are EP-22's built by GM-EMD and rated at 2,250 horsepower each. #5708 was constructed in September of 1952. Visible in the foreground is the westbound connecting track from the New Portage Branch; it passes under the two eastbound tracks ~ often called "The Slide" ~ which pass through the New Portage Tunnel.
Photo Date:
6/11/1965
Upload Date:
11/14/2021 7:27:28 AM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel,Signal
Locomotives:
PRR 5708(E8A)
Views:
200
Comments:
1
Title:
PRR "Gallitzin Tunnels," #2 of 3, 1965
Description:
New Portage. Here is the second of three photos by John M. Prophet III that were taken near the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on 11 June 1965. It was published originally in his (2009) book entitled "Prophet's Pennsy," page 47. Partial Caption: "AF27 #6309 'helper' on the rear of Train #9, mail and express, at 'SF,' just east of the tunnels at Gallitzin, Pa., June 11, 1965." #6309 is an AF-27 built by the American Locomotive Company in April of 1965 and rated at 2,700 horsepower. Immediately in front of it (R to L) are two of the PRR's "Railway Express" cabin cars: N-5 #5025 and N-5C #5033. In the foreground is PRR 70-ton hopper car #275226 carrying iron ore.
Photo Date:
6/11/1965
Upload Date:
11/13/2021 8:14:47 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
RollingStock,Tunnel,Signal
Locomotives:
PRR 6309(C628)
Views:
305
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Gallitzin Tunnels, #3 of 3, 1965
Description:
New Portage. Here is the third of three photos by John M. Prophet III that were taken near the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on 11 June 1965. It was published originally in his (2009) book entitled "Prophet's Pennsy," page 48. Photo Caption: "Paralleling the express train into the tunnels at the summit of the Alleghenies in the previous photo, an ore train comes off the New Portage Branch at 'SF,' Gallitzin, Pa. At the rear are more AF27 snappers shoving against N8 cabin #478175; #6300 and #6307 are operating in the more common arrangement of a pair on this heavy freight." #6300 and #6307 are AF-27's built by the American Locomotive Company in March of 1965 and rated at 2,700 horsepower each; after passing through the tunnel, they will uncouple and return to Altoona for another run up "The Mountain."
Photo Date:
6/11/1965
Upload Date:
11/13/2021 8:25:15 AM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
RollingStock,Tunnel,Signal
Locomotives:
PRR 6300(C628)
PRR 6307(C628)
Views:
349
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Gallitzin Tunnels, 1966
Description:
New Portage. Here is a photo by Robert Hatch that was taken at the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on 21 October 1966. It was published originally in David R. Sweetland's (2000) book entitled "Pennsylvania Railroad Color Pictorial: Volume Two ~ St. Louis To New York," page 40. Photo Caption: "On the east side of Tunnel Hill, EF-36 #6111 plus a GF-25a and an EF-30a pushed an ore train off the New Portage Branch through the Allegheny Tunnel on October 21, 1966. Ore trains out of Philadelphia going to the Pittsburgh steel mills would often use the New Portage line due to slightly easier grades, and to keep these slow and heavy drag trains off the main tracks of the east slope." Prominent here is PRR engine #6111, an EF-36 built by GM-EMD in October of 1966 and rated at 3,600 horsepower.
Photo Date:
10/21/1966
Upload Date:
8/14/2021 7:10:41 AM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel
Locomotives:
PRR 6111(SD45)
Views:
338
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR Gallitzin Tunnels, 1960
Description:
New Portage. Here is a photo by David R. Sweetland that was taken at the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in October of 1960. It was published originally in his (2000) book entitled "Pennsylvania Railroad Color Pictorial: Volume One ~ Altoona To New York City," page 16. Partial Caption: "Standing on top of the east portal of the [New] Portage Tunnel, the [eastbound] Muleshoe line diverted from No. 1 Track to Hollidaysburg, PA." The westbound Muleshoe line passed under Tracks 1 and 2 a little further on, and then merged with Track #3 just before the latter entered the Allegheny Tunnel (not visible at the left)..
Photo Date:
10/21/1960
Upload Date:
8/14/2021 7:08:23 AM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel
Locomotives:
Views:
177
Comments:
0
Title:
CR Gallitzin Tunnels, #1 of 2, 1978
Description:
New Portage. Here is the first of two images of photos by Edward Kaspriske that were taken at the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in 1978. This photo shows that the New Portage Tunnel has been single-tracked, and that the mainline turnouts to the New Portage Branch line are still intact. Edward Kaspriske Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1978
Upload Date:
6/26/2023 5:16:16 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel,Signal
Locomotives:
Views:
46
Comments:
0
Title:
CR Gallitzin Tunnels, #2 of 2, 1978
Description:
New Portage. Here is the second of two images of photos by Edward Kaspriske that were taken at the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, in 1978. In this telephoto view, a pair of Conrail locomotives are about to pass through one of the Gallitzin Tunnels with a manifest freight train bound for the Conway Yards. Edward Kaspriske Collection.
Photo Date:
8/15/1978
Upload Date:
6/26/2023 5:17:19 PM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel,Signal
Locomotives:
Views:
57
Comments:
0
Title:
CR Gallitzin Tunnels, 1978
Description:
New Portage. Here is an original 35mm color slide (converted to B&W) by A.J. Reinschmidt that was taken at the tunnels under Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, on 28 April 1978. This is a Fireman's side view from a moving Conrail GM-EMD GP40-2 diesel-electric locomotive about to pass under a signal bridge and through the Allegheny Tunnel on its way West to the Conway Yards. Note that the Gallitzin Tunnel no longer has smoke-blower machines.
Photo Date:
4/28/1978
Upload Date:
7/20/2022 8:01:50 AM
Location:
Gallitzin, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Tunnel,InCab,Signal
Locomotives:
Views:
70
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR "New Portage, 1903"
Description:
New Portage. Here is a map labelled "New Portage, 1903," as redrawn by Chuck Blardone. It was published originally in Ken Kobus & Gary C. Rauch's (2020) book entitled "The Pennsylvania Railroad's Muleshoe, Horseshoe, Altoona, And Beyond," page 38.
Photo Date:
8/15/2020
Upload Date:
8/13/2021 6:36:38 PM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
148
Comments:
0
Title:
PRR New Portage Railroad Right-of-Way, c. 1903
Description:
New Portage. Here is a portion of an unidentified map that depicts a small part of western Blair County, Pennsylvania. Shown here is the upper part of the New Portage Railroad's right-of-way. At the bottom is the Muleshoe Curve and at the top is the New Portage Tunnel near Gallitzin. The New Portage Line was constructed to replace the Allegheny Portage Railroad with its ten inclined planes, but was paid for by Pennsylvania taxpayers. Construction of the Line began in 1852 and was completed in 1855. It was then purchased by the privately-owned Pennsylvania Railroad in 1857 and promptly abandoned. It was later rebuilt and double-tracked by the PRR in 1903. The second or eastbound track was torn up by the PRR in 1955, while the remaining track was torn up by Conrail and the line abandoned once again during 1981.
Photo Date:
8/15/1903
Upload Date:
1/23/2020 8:14:49 PM
Location:
Duncansville, PA
Author:
Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
130
Comments:
0
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