Producer: Big E
Locations: Altoona, Horseshoe Curve, Cresson, Lilly, Portage
Timeframe: 1998
Length: 3 hours 25 minutes
Source: Dick Eisfeller
Conrail is still operating on and around Horseshoe Curve. Besides the nearby vicinity of the Curve is featured in a 24 hour period. In fact a small percentage of film is actually at Horseshoe Curve. Filmed in July, 1998. This is the original Conrail. Of course, Big E shows the entire train.
A two DVD-R set. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live environmental audio.
Main Chapter Menu list is detailed with the trains. Map is included. Narrated by Jim Eisfeller.
To the Trains… 👉
Disc One- 1:56 minutes
July 22nd, 1998. Filmed in front of The Station Inn at Cresson, Pennsylvania. The first train of this show. Train PIMO. CR 6472 leads 3294 and 3280 as it travels upgrade. Pittsburgh to Morrisville which is near Philadelphia. The consist has 88 cars. Two SD40-2 helpers shove on the rear.
Altoona is next. Conrail freight CAPI bears down on the upgrade as it meets an SD40-2 helper pair near Alto Tower.
Amtrak Lionel Train Collectors Special pulled by engine 106. This passes the display Pennsylvania Railroad 7048 (GP-9) on Horseshoe Curve. Destination is a Philadelphia return.
LMS 712 heads Train PILA. Routed from Pittsburgh to Lancaster. This Eastbound is on Horseshoe Curve. A good example of the intricate details that Eisfeller may have on specific trains. Conway Yard to Lancaster, PA. 8800 tons. He can detail original and destination of each individual or group of cars. Even includes what the loads are on the cars and blocks. Educational and highly interesting.
The pair of Allegheny Tunnels are still in service here. Conrail helper units 6412/6398 exit.
A trio of SD60i locomotives 5578/5580/5627 front a 17,000 ton 130 car Coal Train. They are running wide open and are loud! Two sets of SD40-2 motors provide helper assistance. Symbol is ULK34E. Former Monongahela traffic. May 1998. Detailed lesson on nomenclature for Coal moves. The E designates a non-standard size train. Destination is Baltimore.
Eastbound Triple Crown Roadrailer appears within a flurry of various Intermoals. 137 The daylight is fading fast now. 5515 leads 6739. RR262 slows due to traffic just ahead. Lilly is a hotspot
Obligatory night footage shot at Lilly. Engine 3303 (GP 40-2) with an SD40-2 are barely visible. Poorly lit night scenes are mostly useless. At this point, just insert the 2nd disc…
Disc 2 – 124 minutes
Continues with more Foamers After Dark material. It takes nearly 30 minutes to get back to daylight. Still filmed near Lilly. Check the old Pennsylvania Railroad Signal Bridge at 8:30 am. Conrail 5518 leads a formidable six unit lash-up of modern power on PIBA3.
Here is Mail 9. Conrail 3280 leads this hotshot. EMD GP40-2 and SD40-2 power. Going to Englewood Yard at Chicago with UPS Intermodal. Location is a busy one in Portage.
Double-Stack on track 2. Here is engine 6032 C40-8 leads SD50 motors. Plenty of Sea-Land and K Line containers. JB Hunt and Maersk too. TV12. Chicago to Elizabeth, NJ. Long train.
The Trains of Horseshoe Curve
This mid week visit has 53 main freights, 4 Amtrak and more in 24 hours. Often there are tight headways between trains.
A nicely filmed show. They don’t need a bunch of night trains. However, the purpose to document completely is the mission. Doesn’t mean that it is worthwhile. The typical Big E night scenes are not a match to the higher quality daylight scenes.
Speaking of quality. Imagery is very good overall on a large HDTV. Obvious video heritage as the picture has tape flaws through. All minor but not modern standards. Soundtrack is strong. Locomotives get loud on upgrades. He turns the volume down after the power has passed. Extensive level of information on each train. Insightful operational details.
While I am not a fan of the extended nighttime portions. The beauty of chapter advance is the ability to skip past it. Nevertheless, the show gets docked a little as it is lesser viewing and runs long.
In summary. A generally satisfying program. Hard to beat seeing complete trains. Appealing to Big Blue Railfans and Model Railroaders. Plenty of Conrail available. This one is a good addition to a collection. The informative narrative sets it apart from much of the competition.
The Conrail action is good. Do not expect many trains on the actual Horseshoe Curve. Still, mountain railroading.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 