Conrail abandoned electric freight operations in 1981, and the former Atglen & Susquehanna Branch [branch name for the Low Grade Line] was abandoned in 1989. Today the majority on the ROW is a rail-trail, with a few of the former bridges removed.
@wrailfan, thanks for the info. I don't know this part of the former Pennsy very well....was the low grade line just an easier route than the Port Road branch, going to/from the same areas?
The A&S bypassed cities and has/had less grades to traverse going en route from Enola to Philadelphia, along with no grade crossings in Lancaster County.
How did you get access to that particular spot? I have been there but the spot you filmed from looked like it was blocked off by safe harbor dam fencing. Unless of course you walk along the rail line, but I wanted to get some photos from the side you were on.
I am thinking about getting a scanner, but I honestly have no idea how to use one to listen to this part of the NS line. Is there a particular frequency to tune to for anywhere from the marietta area south to near normanwood bridge area? What do you listen for, the automated call out like at the end of this video to tell where they are at? Also, how do you get a listing of mileposts? I want to make a map of them so I know where something would be.
161.070 is the freq. you want to listen to. All trains call signal names, so that really helps in terms of knowing when something's coming. Take a look at my web page (listed on my Youtube Channel Homepage), it's chock full of info. on the Port Road.
Catenary wires are gone (taken out in the 1980s). There hasn't been an electric train on this line sine 1981 (roughly). The tracks on the bridge were abandoned in 1988.
From 7PM to about 8AM, most of the action is overnight. Sunday mornings are probably the best for daylight action (this video was shot on a Sunday morning).
Well for a while Sunday mornings were really good, with action up till 9AM or so. Recently it's been dying off around 7AM on Sundays. Best bet is to get there at sunrise and hope!
Ahhhhh I remember the 13N
AliceInChains243 2 years ago
Great to see the former Pennsy Low Grade Line trestle in the background. 5*!
wrailfan 2 years ago
@wrailfan, is that former Pennsy Low Grade Line still used?
meccaturbo 2 years ago
No meccaturbo, sadly it is not.
Conrail abandoned electric freight operations in 1981, and the former Atglen & Susquehanna Branch [branch name for the Low Grade Line] was abandoned in 1989. Today the majority on the ROW is a rail-trail, with a few of the former bridges removed.
wrailfan 2 years ago
@wrailfan, thanks for the info. I don't know this part of the former Pennsy very well....was the low grade line just an easier route than the Port Road branch, going to/from the same areas?
meccaturbo 2 years ago
The A&S bypassed cities and has/had less grades to traverse going en route from Enola to Philadelphia, along with no grade crossings in Lancaster County.
wrailfan 2 years ago
How did you get access to that particular spot? I have been there but the spot you filmed from looked like it was blocked off by safe harbor dam fencing. Unless of course you walk along the rail line, but I wanted to get some photos from the side you were on.
keithLD50 3 years ago
yeah you have to walk the tracks to get to this spot...which really isn't a good idea. I usually film from the parking lots.
lappdawg27 3 years ago
I am thinking about getting a scanner, but I honestly have no idea how to use one to listen to this part of the NS line. Is there a particular frequency to tune to for anywhere from the marietta area south to near normanwood bridge area? What do you listen for, the automated call out like at the end of this video to tell where they are at? Also, how do you get a listing of mileposts? I want to make a map of them so I know where something would be.
keithLD50 3 years ago
161.070 is the freq. you want to listen to. All trains call signal names, so that really helps in terms of knowing when something's coming. Take a look at my web page (listed on my Youtube Channel Homepage), it's chock full of info. on the Port Road.
lappdawg27 3 years ago
does the electric trains still run the high and low tracks?
Acela4000 3 years ago
I see the cantenary poles, but no overhead wires, r they still there? and does the electric trains still run the lower and higher tracks?
Acela4000 3 years ago
Catenary wires are gone (taken out in the 1980s). There hasn't been an electric train on this line sine 1981 (roughly). The tracks on the bridge were abandoned in 1988.
lappdawg27 3 years ago
What's that bridge above the tracks? It looks like a train bridge too.
ThirdRail7 3 years ago
it was a train bridge. The tracks were torn out in 1990
lappdawg27 3 years ago
odd voice on the detector.
I only know the Altoona area voice.
BarryManilowFan4eva 4 years ago
Do were 13N train come way to Delaware?
FlyBikes089 4 years ago
Yes, Newark & Port Wilmington
lappdawg27 4 years ago
Wow that cool dude! Hey guess what? I already caught 12N train at Newark, DE! It finally!
FlyBikes089 4 years ago
If i want to railfan the port road branch, when would be the best time of day to do so?
Darthsimpletext 4 years ago
From 7PM to about 8AM, most of the action is overnight. Sunday mornings are probably the best for daylight action (this video was shot on a Sunday morning).
lappdawg27 4 years ago
How early on a Sunday do you have to head down there to catch one?
keithLD50 3 years ago
Well for a while Sunday mornings were really good, with action up till 9AM or so. Recently it's been dying off around 7AM on Sundays. Best bet is to get there at sunrise and hope!
lappdawg27 3 years ago
Nice! I love those signals, nice of the crew to sound the E bell for you too.
Hickler90 4 years ago