Pittsburgh Line - Part 8 - "Mexico & Port Royal" - May 10, 2011

Part 8: Railfanning the NS Pittsburgh Line (PITL) along the beautiful Juniata River during spring on May 10, 2011 catching action at two of the best locations along the PITL: Mexico & Port Royal in Pennsylvania.

Welcome to yet another of my series highlighting various locations along the NS Pittsburgh Line (PITL).

In a continuation of several day trips from Bethlehem, Pa., the intent of these videos are to showcase extremely nice railfan locations that can be found not far from main roads for the most part. In this eighth part of the continuing series, I've captured seventeen trains in sixteen segments with one train meet in the course of covering two locations on the Pittsburgh Line.

Today, we again hit the Pittsburgh Line to cover two of the most scenic railfan locations yet. "Mexico, Pa. & Port Royal, Pa.

In Part 8, we start out in the morning hours at MP 148.1 in Mexico, Pa., on May 10, 2011. By all sense of the meaning...this is a great location...!! Although mostly hidden off the main road this is one location I have to make an exception and highlight it..

PITL Mexico is right off PA 333 a few miles either way from Thompsontown and Port Royal, Pa. This location is home to a set of signals denoting the location "MP148.1W/E" and the NS MP148.7 DED. Visiting railfan's are treated to tremendous scenery and is very setup friendly at many spots at or along the private crossing just a thousand feet or so off the highway.

GPS Coordinates are as follows to get to PITL Mexico:

PA 333/Access Road location:
Lat. 40.530321
Long. 77.345374

(Turn into the dirt access road lined with trees on one side, and old farm equipment and metal sheds on the right side to get the private crossing.) The farmer is a real nice guy and is used to seeing railfan's from time to time. Just "Come in Clean-Leave it Clean.."

PITL Private Grade Crossing at MP 148.1
Lat. 40.530659
Long. 77.344825

Trains arrive and depart PITL Mexico via a moderate super elevated curve centered on the east and west side of the signals, further east the curve transitions into a almost mile long straightaway ending with yet another moderate curve.

Lighting is predictable in the morning hours and on sunny days favors track #2 until noon. Midday through the afternoon is best for the track #1 side and offers great backdrops on clear sunny days. Activity is brisk all day.

NS Pittsburgh Line:

Mexico, Pa. on May 10, 2011: Morning Hours

First, I begin with an introduction video segment "Putting You There" scenic view from the track #2 side.

NS-25V: WB Intermodal
NS #8317
NS #9084

NS-65J: WB Unit Garbage Loads
NS #8465
NS #9834
NS #2725

NS-69Q Meets NS-18N

NS-69Q: WB Unit Ethanol
NS #9693
NS #8693
NS-18N: EB Autorack
Engine consist was not available.

NS-20K: EB Intermodal
NS #9871
NS #8401
NS #8057

NS-591: WB Coal Empties
NS #9712
NS #8315

NS-O4T Amtrak "Pennsylvanian": EB Passenger
AMT #175

Next we travel west to MP 151.1 in Port Royal, Pa. which is right on PA Rt. 75 along the Juniata River for a midday visit.

As mentioned in previous parts, like many other locations, Port Royal offers many setup opportunities. PRR signals are right at the base of the PA Rt.75 overpass bridge and offer a very nice backdrop. Trains arrive and depart via a gentle curve to the east and a 2+ mile straightaway to the west. Entire trains can be seen making their way east/west on this straightaway..!!

Port Royal, Pa. on May 10, 2011: Midday Hours

NS-21E: WB Intermodal
NS #9762
NS #9840
NS #2661

NS-21J: WB Intermodal
NS #9409
NS #9770
NS #8324

NS-645: WB Coal Empties
NS #9346
NS #9011

Finally we travel back to PITL Mexico at MP 148.1 in Mexico, Pa. for an afternoon visit to cover the action from the track #1 side of the location. Enjoy the scenery, afternoon views at this location are priceless... Enjoy..

Mexico, Pa. on May 10, 2011: Afternoon Hours

Again I'll begin with an introduction video segment "Putting You There" scenic view, but this time from the track #1 side.

NS-21M: WB Intermodal
NS #9801
NS #8348
NS #9347

NS-26T: EB Intermodal
NS #2745
NS #6662

NS-22W: EB Intermodal
NS #9684
NS #9974
NS #9625

NS-O7T Amtrak "Pennsylvanian": WB Passenger
AMT #49

NS-20V: EB Intermodal
NS #9773
NS-23W: WB Intermodal
NS #9741
NS #8460

OK, that does it for now... Thanks for watching, look for more action from the Pittsburgh Line, and others showing great action coming soon.

Thanks again......Enjoy...Steve...

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Train
• Trains
• Railroad
• Mexico
• PITL
• Port
• Royal
• Pennsylvania
• Scenic
• Railfan

[djaytoo]

Excellent video

[hdskullfire2]

@djaytoo Thanks.. Glad you enjoyed it as well as I had making the vid.. Steve

[NorfolkSouthern8830]

What camera do u use?

[hdskullfire2]

@NorfolkSouthern8830 JVC GY-HM700U ProHD Cam..

[Espee9180]

What a scenic location. Great camera work.

[hdskullfire2]

@Espee9180 Thanks. Mexico is a delight to visit. The scenery is tremendous. I recommend everyone get an opportunity to get there one of these days... Steve..

[morfeusz120]

Totaly Excellent video

[hdskullfire2]

@Popsdasuss Thanks..

[Popsdasuss]

Nice work, really must say very professional. Great!!

[hdskullfire2]

@Railfan108 Hi Tom, I'm in the process of preparing material for a DVD, but most of the stuff I post is for the enjoyment of all. I like putting the viewer at the railfan spot even if they cannot get there themselves. I pride my self on perfecting the total image. No fancy stuff, no gimmicks like tilting the camera for effect, Railroads don't do that so I don't.. Thanks again Thomas... Steve