Pennsylvania Railfanning, August 1994: 9-Unit Westbound At Gallitzin Tunnel

Another excerpt from my trip to the Horseshoe Curve area on August 4, 1994. We first saw this train down on its hands and knees rounding Horseshoe Curve as we jumped in the car and headed for the summit. A few minutes after we arrived we got a good look at the monster as it thundered out of the tunnel - 5 units on the point, 4 pushing, and well over 130 cars. Construction on the Allegheny Tunnel clearance project continues in the background; I filmed one more train coming out of the Gallitzin portal this day, and by the time I returned in March 1996 the new tunnel had been in service for a while.
The wind was gusting quite a bit, and as I filmed the helpers going away I saw an ugly black squall line bearing down on us fast (out of shot to the right at the end of the clip). I had just enough time to shut off the camera and run for the car as the sky broke wide open.
#trains #train #railfanning #trainspotting #railroad #pennsylvania #travel

[@OttoRax]

Virginian, these recent posts of yours are railfan gold. I know of no other footage on this site of action at the now-abandoned Gallitzin tube. The pushers on the 'Shoe starting up are priceless as well. Thank you for these, they are rare gems indeed. The ongoing tunnel work in the background is a tremendous addition...the past and the future together for a few more rides. OUTSTANDING.

[@OttoRax]

This is exactly right. Helper crews (so I understand) are one of the most desirable jobs on the railroad in this area. They are up and down the mountain all day from Altoona to Cresson. Straight shifts and home at the end of the day.

[@TheLegendsoflionel]

That's awesome! I was recently there about two months ago, and I thought the old tunnel had been closed for a few decades! Thanks for sharing.

[@kocharjm]

Good lord, this makes me homesick I was little kid when they were making the other tunnel.

[@youbite1]

omg thank you soo much for this footage....imiss the old tunnel

[@JTTheRailfan]

and to think that other tunnel isn't in service any more. Awesome video.

[@WashingtonDistrictRailfan]

awesome video, when i went there in 2010 that tunnel didn't even have track anymore, even though i didn't see any trains i got to ride an amtrak though it!!

[@galaxyrailfanning7860]

Nice!

[@abrahamfroman246]

That tunnel is now closed. Walked through it when I was a kid and ended up in the buckeye

[@BostonByRails]

Hi there, my name is nathan! I already commented on another video, but I am doing a video on my channel about the galitzen tunnels, and I am wondering if I could use clips in this video with credit given to you?

[@FastFlyingVirginian]

Yes, that'd be fine. Let me know when the video's finished. :D

[@OhioRails]

Who would have guess that NS would soon on the rails here.

[@Landaux]

lol...Im sorry im all confused here...So they are renovating the tunnel on the right? Looking at an older video, it looked like it was a single track, then one on the left in a LATER video looks like gets abandoned, while the one on the right is a double track?...Somone tell me whats going on in details please? PM me if you have too :-) Then again when I google 'Allegheny Tunnel' it shows it as a interstate highway!

[@johnstafford4304]

the galitzen tunnel on the left of this video appantley had issues deep inside and the tunnel wasn't built for containers, so when NS took over operations, to improve capability they rebuilt the alleghany tunnel with two tracks and containers possible

[@enjoyingrailroading1013]

The PA Clearance Project took place while Conrail was still in business. First double stack trains operated via the cleared route in the Fall of 1995. Tunnel on right side was cleared for double stacks and had 2nd track added.

[@mike92586]

I wish that they had not decided to close one side of the tunnel and block the end.

[@meccaturbo]

ex N&W units on that train