Horse Shoe Curve and Sand Patch Grade are two Pennsylvania railroading landmarks of enormous popularity, with good reason. They share long history, challenging terrain, heavy traffic, and innovative technologies. Pentrex recorded these famous sites in the late 1980s and released two outstanding shows, both of which are included on this new combo DVD.
Horse Shoe Curve
Step back to 1989 when Conrail was running from 40-60 trains a day through the 3-track curve at this historic site in central Pennsylvania. Most of the action here is led by Conrail but Amtrak makes an appearance as well. The interesting mix of motive power you'll see here includes SD40s, SD40-2s, SD45-2s, and GE C30-7As. You'll travel to Alto Tower in Altoona, Benny, the Gallitzin Twin Tunnels, AR Tower, MO Tower in Cresson, but most of all you'll spend quality time at Horse Shoe Curve itself, the granddaddy of railfan locations! (75 minutes)
Sand Patch Grade
Old and new technologies intermingle on this remote yet important route through the Allhegenies. In 1990, when our show was recorded, this former B&O trackage was known as the Mainline Subdivision, a part of CSX's Chicago to Baltimore mainline. CSX trains battled their way upgrade through Brackens, Fairhope, Falls Cut Tunnel, Glencoe, the horse shoe curve at Mance, and Sand Patch Grade itself. You'll see a variety of motive power including GP30s, GP40s, SD50s, the CSX F-unit, and others in an assortment of paint schemes such as B&O, C&O, Clinchfield, Seaboard, Chessie, and classic CSX colors. You'll also tour the tower at Hyndman where vintage Armstrong levers were still in daily use and visit busy SA tower at the crest of Sand Patch Summit. Sand Patch Grade, rich in history, abounds in exciting mainline railroading! (60 minutes)
DVD Special Feature:
2 Hours 15 Minutes
In Color with Hi-Fi Sound and Narration
Full-screen (4x3) Format
No region code; can be played in any NTSC DVD player worldwide
Packaged in Sturdy Vinyl Clamshell Case