CSX coal drags on Sand Patch Grade

Three loaded coal trains and their manned helpers (plus a bonus manifest) battle the west slope of the famous Sand Patch Grade in Southwestern Pennsylvania on October 17 and 18, 2007.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SD70M
• SD70ACe
• EMD
• GE
• train
• coal
• helper
• SD40-2
• SD50
• Sand
• Patch
• Pennsylvania
• CSX
• CSXT
• railroad
• railway

[boweandrew3]

looks like they have to double the mountain which means take the train up in 2 maybe 3 sections so as to avoid a runaaway

[csxt6573]

@boweandrew3 No, no doubling of the hill in this video...

[JoaoT805]

am i correct that there used to be three tracks up the grade?

just an awesome video by the way.

[csxt6573]

You are correct. From Sand patch down to near Meyersdale, as I recall, there were 3 tracks.

[U2rocksKEN]

@ConrailErie ...ditto conrail, the 2nd train coming up the grade, (before you see it) sounds like it ought to be going 45 or 50, but it's diggin' hard at maybe 25, draggin' a hell of a load ... the ol' SD's rock!!

[JlMMIEJAM]

Great Video! Funny thing is the DP's get irritated that these coal trains aren't making good time up the west slope yet they continue to underpower them out of Connellsville by at least one unit. If these trains had 3 on the head end and 3 shoving they would manage at least 25mph up the mountain and wouldn't tie up the RR

[ConrailErie]

This is perhaps one of the best videos ever uploaded on YOUTUBE that shows the incredible physics of mountain railroading......what is involved in moving millions of tons of freight over the Alleghenies. From sheer tractive effort to moving faster trains around slowerones. And don't forget the helper sets required. There is just something about those GM EMD Turbocharged locomotives of the past. It made my day.

[ConrailErie]

This is perhaps one of the best videos ever uploaded on YOUTUBE that shows the incredible physics of mountain railroading......what it takes to move millions of tons of freight over the Alleghenies. There is just something about those GM EMD Turbocharged locomotives of the past. It made my day.

[RRYankfan]

who would dislike this video? this video is pure gold to my ears

[goobert3]

wear is this

[meccaturbo]

@DASCO2136 I remember hearing about that too. It's too bad Chessie abandoned the WM, since the WM's Connellsville Sub had much better grades and clearances than the ex B&O, it's only downfall being that it was single track. However, NS has 3 tracks over the east side of the ex PRR between Altoona and Gallitzin, and I still think CSX/Chessie would have been wise to keep the WM as a 3rd main track.

[DASCO2136]

@meccaturbo It should also be noted that in the late 80s there was a coal mine that needed rail access so part of the WM mainline from the mine to the old B&O main was revived which included the bridge at Keystone. Obviously between now & then the operation has ceased.