NS Strates Carnival Train 047--8/6/09

The James E. Strates Carnival Train makes an appearance on NS rails on a warm summer afternoon. The train is first observed slowly rolling through the curves at Bethlehem and later struggling uphill at Emmaus. This move was running from Campbell Hall, NY, to Hamburg, NY. Because the train could not run on the Central New York (former NS Southern Tier Line) between Port Jervis and Binghamton, this train had to go the long way via Croxton, Allentown, Harrisburg, and Scranton before reaching the Southern Tier at Binghamton. A pair of GP38-2s are powering the carnival train today.

NS 5648 (GP38-2)
NS 5645 (GP38-2)
55 cars
Bethlehem--MP LE88.2 NS Lehigh Line--3:45PM
Emmaus--MP RV30.0 NS Reading Line--4:35PM

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Norfolk
• Southern
• James
• Strates
• Carnival
• Bethlehem
• Emmaus
• Pennsylvania
• train
• railroad
• special
• circus
• GP38-2
• P5

[rwk360]

It is rare to see trains with passenger coaches on these NS lines (ex LV, RDG) through the Lehigh Valley area toward Reading, or NJ. There were more railfan excursions on these lines in the 60's, 70's and 80's (under Reading, LV, CNJ and Conrail post Apr 1 1976) than today. I wonder how often the NS OCS train runs on these lines. There will be train excursions with Reading FP7's in Emmaus this October, but not on NS, the East Penn Perkiomen line to the tunnel and Pennsburg.

[flamingofarm]

This is one of those "one of a kind" events that has been enjoyed by many generations and is still as fascinating today to watch the show train load and unload. They are truly a credit to their industry and one of the things that makes their show different than all the rest

[trainspotter11]

fantastic shots 10/10

[altoonaPArailfan]

I was there with you. I Was right behind you taking pictures on the ground.

[conrailbuff]

this SAME train ran right thro Lebanon, PA and I missed it!!!!!!

great catch!!!!!

[Sabrestrainsfan]

me 2, i think

[jimbo2317]

oh man I missed it again! Fantastic catch Austin!