Bennington PA 08.14.15: You'll Hike For The Entire Rock, But You'll Only Need The Edge скачать в хорошем качестве

Bennington PA 08.14.15: You'll Hike For The Entire Rock, But You'll Only Need The Edge

#train #trainspotting #adventure Out of one curve, into another. As go the trains snaking their way over the mountain, so went our traveling party as we left Horseshoe and twisted and turned our way up the back roads to Bennington Curve. The evening rush was approaching, and the rock outcropping perched above track 3 at 'Benny' would be our box seats to the show. We took our places with time to spare as 23M stormed upgrade at 5:17 behind C44-9W 9788 and SD70M 2606. Unfortunately, it seemed like we arrived right before intermission - the westbound stacker was our only train for nearly an hour. At 6:14, our patience was rewarded when ES44AC 8093 and SD70ACe 1174 slogged through the curve with empty oil train 67W, missing a nose-to-nose meet with eastbound coal drag 534 by only a few car lengths. The din of the parading oil tanks was compounded by the droning dynamic brakes of SD60Is 6730 and 6734 and the squealing protests of the loaded coal hoppers. The unassisted tail of 67W met the very-much-assisted tail of 534 at the point where the infamous 'Slide' brings track 1 back to the same level as tracks 2 and 3. SD40Es 6315, 6308, 6329, and 6323 provided ample braking muscle to keep the speed of the drag in check as it descended towards Altoona. We didn't have as long to wait as before once 534 was out of sight. At 6:25, SD40Es 6322 and 6328 ran light westbound up track 3, followed 13 minutes later by Amtrak's westbound Pennsylvanian behind P42 194. As the Pennsylvanian rounded the curve towards the tunnels, it was met by eastbound manifest 16N negotiating the Slide on track 1. SD40E helpers 6320 and 6332 lent their braking power to C40-8W 8349 and C40-9 8765 on the head end, while SD40Es 6319 and 6304 brought up the rear. Eleven minutes later, we ended our visit on a quieter note as SD40Es 6333 and 6312 ran light westbound, blowing a quick salute as they passed at our feet. With the shadows closing in, it was time to run west ourselves. As go the trains...