For the record, it should be pointed out that among the many legions of folks that said "you'll never see steam on The Curve until Hades freezes over" were legions--literally dozens--of Conrail, and later NS, employees and officials, many of them card-carrying rail enthusiasts from Stanley Crane on down. (There were rumors for years that Crane would start a steam excursion program on CR, and it went as far as some coaches speculatively purchased, as I recall--but it didn't happen, in spite of theoretically "available" locos of the "right" size.)

Of course, there's an aspect of "never say never" in this--I'm sure no one ever expected to see the Reading's heart turned to a shortline, or Raton Pass threatened with extinction, Tennessee Pass mothballed, etc. And it's important to note that this was apparently NS's idea for its employees, not the umpteenth dreamy-eyed railfan or fan club suggesting it to CR or NS.

This is still "dipping toes in the water," and part of me still won't believe it until it happens and I may still be pinching myself and breaking out the crow sauce. But I know a couple former CR/NS trainmasters, yardmasters, etc. who will be eagerly shooting 765 from heaven.

I envy you guys you will get a chance to see 765 do her thing marching up Horseshoe. I'm not much of a photographer, but if I was there, I would try to find a spot where I could just listen to the locomotive work. Up until my uncle brought me the LP "Berkshire on Blue Ridge" when I was 11 had never heard a big engine working...and somewhere along the way, I got a recording of 759 on Horseshoe Curve. I still listen to those recordings now. For me, it was the beginning of a journey into a world where I knew I wanted to be, and one of these days I'll actually get the chance to make it around Horseshoe. On steam. As an engineer.

I hear you, TX.

As a kid, I had a Semaphore Records 45 of #759 that included a great cut from Weissport, PA and a cut at speed which sounded more like a jet flying over than a chuff-chuff-chuff-chuff.

I never did own the Horseshoe #759 LP, but I see a version of it is still on the market.

Oh man, did I love my little blue portable record player and my small, but precious, collection of steam records. The early '70's never sounded so good!

Rob

Tex Highballer and Robert John, I can identify with those records--but my little portable was grey, and the train record I wore out was "Railroad," which featured a lot of Illinois Central stuff from the last years, around 1960.

Things got better when I got older, and got to order all of the material from the late O. Winston Link, when he was still alive. Yes, not fantrip action but regular service, and edited for Link's "storytelling" in sound style, but whoo, boy, what wonderful sounds! Those aural images were a part of what drove me to attempt a television series about the adventures of railroad men, set in my West Virginia on the eve of WW II. Found all manner of stories about railroaders (which is what you really need), such a wonderful field if someone would explore it, in some ways a world both as familiar as life and as alien and exotic as anything in science fiction for audiences today--but I couldn't sell the thing to save my soul.

I did write the series to be a family program (note I said family, not kids); a coworker said that to sell to producers or a network, it would need more s-e-x.

I live in the wrong time--and what's bad about that, is that that coworker and another person have told me so!

Not to derail the thread, but even though I went on to create digital recordings of preserved steam, and appreciate the finer aspects of audio in general, nothing sounded sweeter than that old mono turntable playing trains sounds and Johnny Cash... plus any other train songs I could get my hands on.

I guess this bit of nostalgia is one reason I am looking forward to the #765 run west up the hill.I think I'll feel like a kid. I just think it is going to be fun to watch. Exciting, joyous and cool.

All yinz guys and gal (Hi Becky) are free to do whatever you wish on this occasion. My choice will be to take the opportunity to expose my 5 year old grandson to a "real" locomotive for a change. If I do take any images, it'll be of him either exhaulting in joy or cringing in fear.....I'm not sure which....but he has lived for the last two years right on The Main at New Florence, PA. He should be used to trains, but then 765 is going to be a new experience. Thanks, NS!

I also had one of those little portable record players and a few train sound records.

My favorite was one featuring the Reading Rambles, since the 2102 was the first big steam I ever rode on.

Of course the AFT one ranked very high as well, since I was fortunate to be on crew for while during the summer of '76. (Thanks Ross!) I've still got my copy and would never sell it. The only problem is I'm not sure I can find it either. ;)

You can buy the song "Here Comes the Freedom Train" from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LL ... 78-6145045

I don't recall, did the album you posted have actual sounds from the Freedom Train? I seem to recall something with the various audio tracks from the display cars, was it that record? I'm thinking it's that one, since it has the official AFT logo on it.

Also sort of hijacking the thread but not really...there is something very interesting that I just read...I'm not sure if it's been posted here before. In an article from the Toledo Blade newspaper about the upcoming 765 NS trips, the following was quoted:

"Kelly Lynch, communications director for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, said tickets for the trips won't be offered to the general public, although "this could lead to public trips in the future."

The historical society, which is observing its 40th anniversary this year, has a three-year agreement with Norfolk Southern to provide its Lima-built locomotive for special trains through 2014, he said."

"It costs about $10,000 a day to operate, which the Norfolk Southern contract will cover, along with a major mechanical tear-down inspection that will come up in 2019, Mr. Lynch said."

Very cool!

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/0 ... trips.html

Hint for anyone taking little ones around a steam train or other loud event for the first time:
Well before the event, get them used to wearing hearing protectors. Explain that they're for use around loud sounds and that it's OK to use them whenever something is very loud and might hurt your ears. (We used the earmuff style because they're easier for a kid to put on and take off than earplugs are.)

Parades with a lot of loud fire engines, big fireworks displays, auto racing--wherever the noise is loud enough to make your ears ring, it's loud enough to think about protecting them. When they're trackside AND WITH YOU, make sure they know it's OK to wear plugs or earmuffs. Takes a lot of the hysterics out of that first whistle. If you can spring for the ones that let you talk and hear normally, but attenuate very loud sounds, they're an even better option as far as safety goes because you don't have to take them off to hold a conversation. Just make sure everyone can hear safety instructions, pay attention to what's going on around, etc.

A lot of you remember Gabe when he was tiny. Believe it or not, we've never had a problem getting him to use any kind of PPE, and yes, he does mow the lawn wearing plugs and safety glasses.

Thank you Becky for the thoughts on ear protection, the very young, a big loud things.

Like 765.

But my plans are not to take a trackside position, but rather to find a location where the train can be observed at a distance, but for a longer time--and not incidentally, at lower decibels. I have several such locations in mind.

I did this purposely when our two boys were 3 and 5. The occasion was the 2101's trip from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, WV. I chose a spot with a long view of the Street's Run Grade. Pretty much a head-on view, but with more than a half mile of track in clear view. The 5 year old was terrified and hid behind Mom. The 3 year old was thrilled beyond words and couldn't get enough of 2101. It's the 5 year old son of the 3 year old (who's now 36) who's going to get a similar experience soon.

Oh, for Pete's sake, you guys. 765 is a high-speed freight engine, not a mountain slogger like a PRR I-1. Are you all converging on the Horseshoe Curve in the hopes that she'll stall, like people going to car races hoping to see a crash? 765 was designed to expedite freight trains on a nearly level and straight railroad, and somewhere out along the Middle Division between Marysville and Antis is where she'll get to stretch out and show the world what "Nickel Plate Fast freight" really meant! Maybe a few old timers will hear her whistle and characteristic loping exhaust and be reminded of the PRR M-1's on freights back in the day.

Hmmmmmm.

[stakes out a position at the west end of "Pacers' Paradise" between Huntingdon and Mapleton for the eastbound run]

Speaking of staking out a position on the curve... It's a purely academic discussion for me, since I'm in Seattle. But I'm curious about what locations are accessible.

I've heard that NS doesn't take kindly to trespassers. Obviously this event will bring out the foamers and the NS special agents will know that. So hiking up the right of way isn't an option, unless you want to risk getting a ticket or worse.

However, I'm curious how wide the right of way is, and how much land NS owns. Is any of the forest around the curve public property, state game lands, or other accessible land? Could you get up on the hillside 100 feet back from the tracks and be on land other than NS property?

In my opinion, the best shot would be one like the famed 100th anniversary shot with all the Sylvania flash bulbs.
http://www.billspennsyphotos.com/aboutme.htm

Is a location like that legally accessible?

Kinda surprised they're already planning their 1472. Good for them for thinking ahead though, especially if they were able to get NS to cover the bill!

I'd also note that the article was written by toledopatch.

Let's just say that there are....... ways.... to some of those "spots" that don't require trespassing directly on railroad property.

What I was told years ago by CR guys was that you should consider anything within 50 feet of the outer rail as railroad property in that area. However, the property map up there remains a quagmire, because the PRR had some spurs reaching up the hollows from BOTH legs of Horse Shoe, including a double switchback to the hillside above Kittaning Point (the left-hand, or lower, side as you look at it from Altoona). The railroad, into CR days, still retained the right-of-way up the other leg, parallel to Glenwhite/Kittanning Point Road for nearly two miles uphill from the curve, as an access road. Many a railfan used that access road to get to the backside of the Curve in older days; the last time I drove it decades ago before it was gated by CR, a small Jeep would have had trouble on that pot-holed trail.

The other problem is that the prime locations for "calendar" photos are quite tight, with a couple outcroppings having room for at best one or two photographers if you can even get to them. The "downhill" side of the Curve is wider open, but once again, you're probably on RR property.

The biggest problem is that railroad property--the track or the access roads--afford the easiest access to the best spots. You can hike alternative routes, but to avoid RR property takes anywhere from five to twenty times longer, hiking through woods and brush instead of on paths.

The best bet for those wanting a good view are the hillsides below Gallitzen proper, at Tunnelhill and Bennington, but even then I wouldn't trust what Google or Bing Maps say with regards to which roads are public, private, and fantasy. Fans in vans used to camp out overnight down below Bennington Cemetery, but I understand the powers that be don't look favorably upon that anymore.

Besides which, there'll probably be 3-4 helicopters buzzing the train anyway..... >:-/

(The above is not to be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney, game warden, updated property maps, or the like before attempting anything yourself.)