Altoona Area

Hey -

I'm going to be heading out to Altoona for a few days of railfanning within the next 2 weeks. I have only been there once, back in 2001, so I don't really remember any of the best places to go. Could anyone provide some cool places to go. Some are obviouse - like HSC, the brickyard crossing, etc. Any others?

Thanks

The parking lot across from the Amtrak station is a good place to start. There is good light for pics in the morning, along with a couple of pedestrian bridges that are open for taking pictures.
If you are at HSC, go through the tunnle untill the road comes to a T. Make a left and go about a mile and a half. You will see signs for Galitzen tunnel. there is a nice shot of the west portal in the afternoon.
If you go along route 53 between Galitzin and Summerhill, there are signs along the route that point out places to stop, such as Cresson and Cassandra.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

During my few hours in Altoona, I found the Ped Bridges to be ok photo areas...although I wished I went down to check out the shops..

The West Slope between Gallitzin and South Fork is a good bet...simply follow Route 53 South(railroad West) along the West Slope and several towns offer good vantage points from trackside parking lots or on overpasses. If you own a laptop with wireless capability, there is a hotspot in Cresson near the Eastbound signals at 'MO'

Thanks Guys!!

I'll let you know how I make out!

If you have not made Motel reservations yet, The Station Inn in Cresson, Tunnel Inn in Gallitzin, and the Cassandra Overlook Motel in Cassandra offer lodging on the West Slope. http://www.stationinnpa.com

I remember seeing a few people on the front porch as we passed by the Inn while I was on the Three Rivers, seems like a nice place.

PRRGuy wrote:I remember seeing a few people on the front porch as we passed by the Inn while I was on the Three Rivers, seems like a nice place.

Yes, I have stayed there at The Station Inn a number of times already.

Does anyone have a list of the Freq used so I could program my scanner? Is it the same as the Harrisburg line? If so, then I already have them

Thanks!

Conrail8124 wrote:Does anyone have a list of the Freq used so I could program my scanner? Is it the same as the Harrisburg line? If so, then I already have them

Thanks!

Primary road frequency is 160.800. Another one sometimes used is 161.070.... Yard frequency is 160.980 and 160.995...You'll hear chatter in Altoona Yard on 160.980. MOW is 161.430 and 161.055 and RJ Corman is 160.845. There is also a site http://www.railroadradio.net that has live internet scanner feeds that you can listen to on your computer. One feed covers Johnstown to Cresson and another covers the Harrisburg area.

Thanks Dave!! I'll add them to the scanner before I head out. I know about the live scanner feed.. I listen to it all the time..or until my wife gets sick of hearing it!! I'm heading up Dec 12-Dec 14. The forecast could be some snow!

Chris

I'm headed up tomorrow morning. Hope to have some good stuff to report back with!

Just got back... What a fun trip. I'll post some photos in the upcoming days.

the photos-

so many of them!!! I'll post a few here & give the link if anyone wants to see all of them!

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/130/323308010_d9df4326a0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Horseshoe Curve-Altoona, PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/124/323307280_242adfea69.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Gallitzin, PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/139/323304519_733da60129.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Cresson,PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/142/323303469_af37e14024.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Cassandra,PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/139/323302631_73888f2341.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Cassandra,PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/140/323270486_19598830f7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Juniata Shops-Altoona, PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/135/323269284_2c2f3451f6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Juniata Shops-Altoona, PA-12-14-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/127/321929955_953a93da0f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Gallitzin,PA-12-13-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/130/321929505_77eef1fbac.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Gallitzin,PA-12-13-06"></a>

<a><img src="http://static.flickr.com/127/321906622_dd3693539d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Juniata Shops-Altoona, PA-12-13-06"></a>

Here is the link to the rest of them http://www.flickr.com/photos/cesposito2 ... 422218881/

Nice shots! The pic of the coal train helpers at Cassandra was very nice.