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12/24/2024
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Viewing Album:  APR: "Allegheny Portage Railroad" ~ 1997
 
By:Thomas C. Ayers
Dates:1/1/1997 - 1/1/1997
Album Info:Here are the front cover and an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," pages 39-56. This excerpt constitutes the entirety of the book's Chapter 4, "The Big Bet ~ Planes to the Stars: The Allegheny Portage Railroad." "Still, we have come away from our studies impressed with the Portage. No matter how wrong headed, in terms of the times it was a monumental enterprise. In fact, the whole Public Works system was a tribute to the energy and determination of our ancestors to attack and solve a problem. That they failed is a fact of history. That they tried should be a point of pride." (Page 43) Also included are several items of related interest.
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"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Front Cover, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Front Cover, 1997
Description:  Here is the front cover of Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996." Partial Cover Caption: "Bitter winter weather remains another obstacle to any mountain crossing, no less so for PRR on this or any other day. On 10 February 1968, units 6046, 2425, 2503, and 2205 with a westbounder have just topped the grade as they exit Allegheny Tunnel, PRR's first bore at Gallitzin. The summit is precisely at the portal behind the locomotives." Shown here (L to R) are Penn Central engines #6046, #2425, #2503, and #2205. #6046 is an SD-40 built by GM-EMD in 1966 and rated at 3,000 horsepower. #2425 is a C-425 built by the American Locomotive Works in 1965 and rated at 2,500 horsepower. #2503 is a GF-25 built by General Electric in 1962 and rated at 2,500 horsepower. #2205 is an EF-22 built by GM-EMD in 1963 and rated at 2,250 horsepower.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 1/10/2018 1:42:31 PM
Location:  Gallitzin, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Tunnel,Winter
Locomotives:  PC 6046(SD40) PC 2425(C425) PC 2205(GP30) PC 2503(U25B)
Views:  553   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 39, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 39, 1997
Description:  Here is page one of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 39.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:39:34 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  71   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 40, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 40, 1997
Description:  Here is page two of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 40.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:41:05 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 41, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 41, 1997
Description:  Here is page three of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcarin 1846-1996," page 41.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:42:21 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 42, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 42, 1997
Description:  Here is page four of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 42.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:43:37 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  69   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 43, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 43, 1997
Description:  Here is page five of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 43.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:44:40 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 44, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 44, 1997
Description:  Here is page six of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 44. Notable here is a gradient "Profile of Old Allegheny Portage Railroad."
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:45:46 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  66   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 45, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 45, 1997
Description:  Here is page seven of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcarin 1846-1996," page 45. Notable here are the gradient profiles of three railroads: the Old Portage, the New Portage, and the Pennsylvania.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:57:23 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  67   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 46, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 46, 1997
Description:  Here is page eight of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 46. Notable here are a relief map and text relating to the mountainous geography of three railroads: the Old Portage, the New Portage, and the Pennsylvania.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 12:58:30 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  64   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 47, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 47, 1997
Description:  Here is page nine of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcarin 1846-1996," page 47.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 6:35:53 AM
Location:  Conemaugh, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 48, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 48, 1997
Description:  Here is page ten of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 48.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 6:37:18 AM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  62   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 47, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 47, 1997
Description:  Here is page 11 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 49. Illustration and text provide details about the facilities and operation of the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 6:38:32 AM
Location:  Cresson, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives: 
Views:  67   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 50, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 50, 1997
Description:  Here is page 12 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 50. Center Photo, Partial Caption: "The uppermost plane on the east slope was number six and it was crossed by this skewed masonry bridge, built circa 1832 to carry a wagon road over the tracks." This bridge is presently part of the National Park Service's Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 6:40:02 AM
Location:  Cresson, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Bridge,Steam
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 51, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 51, 1997
Description:  Here is page 13 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 51. Top Illustration, Partial Caption: "This ancient woodcut shows the canal basin in Hollidaysburg and its junction with the Old Portage Railroad circa 1842." Bottom Illustration: Here is a photo by Edward H. Weber that was taken of WYE Tower in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, during 1962. (For more on this, see my RRPA album entitled "WYE Tower; Duncansville, PA ~ 1960-2001" at http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=116697)
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 6:41:44 AM
Location:  Hollidaysburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 52, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 52, 1997
Description:  Here is page 14 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 52. Photo and text provide details of a runaway-train wreck that occurred on the Pennsylvania Railroad's New Portage Branch line in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, 6 November 1916. Partially visible at the far right is engine #2115, an H-6A (2-8-0) "Consoldiated" built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in June of 1902 and retired in June of 1927 after 25 years of service. (For more on this, see my RRPA album entitled "Wreck At New Portage Junction ~ NOV 1916" at http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=116648)
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 10:47:21 AM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Steam,Wreck
Locomotives:  PRR 2115(2-8-0)
Views:  83   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 53, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 53, 1997
Description:  Here is page 15 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 53. Photo and text provide details about the Muleshoe Curve and the Pennsylvania Railroad's New Portage Branch line above Duncansville, Pennsylvania. (In Response To The Author's Question Posed Herein: Yes, this 1892 photo does depict a railroad curve ~ but it's not Duncansville's Muleshoe Curve. Actually, it's located on the PRR's Tyrone Branch line.)
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 10:50:34 AM
Location:  Tyrone, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 54, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 54, 1997
Description:  Here is page 16 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 54. Illustrations and text provide details about the Muleshoe Curve and the Pennsylvania Railroad's New Portage Branch line above Duncansville, Pennsylvania. (For more on this, see my RRPA album entitled "Muleshoe Curve ~ Assorted Images" at http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?id=124506)
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 10:51:58 AM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 55, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 55, 1997
Description:  Here is page 17 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 55. Photo and text provide details about the Pennsylvania Railroad's New Portage Branch line between Duncansville and Gallitzin, Pennsylvania.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 10:53:42 AM
Location:  Gallitzin, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 56, 1997
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," Page 56, 1997
Description:  Here is page 18 of an 18-page excerpt from Charles S. Roberts' 1997 book entitled "Triumph I: Altoona To Pitcairn 1846-1996," page 56. Depicted here is an unidentified artist's conception of the "virgin forested wilderness" that once existed in regions made accessible and traversable by the Allegheny Portage, New Portage, and Pennsylvania Railroads.
Photo Date:  1/1/1997  Upload Date: 10/15/2022 10:55:34 AM
Location:  Allegrippus, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  63   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," c. 1846
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," c. 1846
Description:  Here is a postal card entitled "Allegheny Portage Railroad" that's published and distributed by the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. No Postmark. Caption On Reverse: "The Allegheny Portage Railroad connected the eastern and western divisions of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal together with a 36-mile inclined railroad system between Hollidaysburg and Johnstown. Watercolor by Philip J. Hoffmann (1889-1973)." Luxury travel featuring two wooden coaches and three sweating mules!
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 8/30/2023 5:43:15 PM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Bridge,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  39   Comments: 0
"Old Allegheny Portage R.R.," 1909
Title:  "Old Allegheny Portage R.R.," 1909
Description:  Here is a postal card entitled "The Roadbed of the Old Allegheny Portage R.R. on the Summit of the Allegheny Mountains." Postmarked: 21 May 1909. Caption On Reverse: "Crossing the Alleghenies ~ called by the Indians the 'Alligewi' ~ was, in earlier days, the insurmountable obstacle to commerce. This picture shows the present condition of the first railroad that succeeded in giving through service by boat and inclined plane. The stone ties shown still remain."
Photo Date:  5/21/1909  Upload Date: 11/15/2017 2:34:45 AM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  247   Comments: 0
"Engine House Foundation," c. 1972
Title:  "Engine House Foundation," c. 1972
Description:  Here is a postal card entitled "Engine House Foundation" that's published and distributed by the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. No Postmark. Caption On Reverse: "Resting on these foundation stones, two stationary steam engines provided the power to the rope that pulled rail cars and sectional canal boats up and down Incline #6. The engines were housed by the large building that also rested on these foundation stones. Photo by S. Fredman."
Photo Date:  7/15/1972  Upload Date: 9/1/2023 9:05:15 PM
Location:  Cresson, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
"Trains" Magazine, May 1946
Title:  "Trains" Magazine, May 1946
Description:  Here is a photo that was published originally in the May 1946 issue of "Trains" magazine, page 19. Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Railroad. Photo Caption: "Sectional boats carried on special cars passed through this first American railroad tunnel at Staple Bend near Johnstown, Pa. It was located at the top of an inclined plane on the [Allegheny] Portage Railroad, and was not far from the Pennsylvania Railroad's main line which supplanted it." Shown here is the West Portal of the Allegheny Portage Railroad's Staple Bend Tunnel. It has since been reopened and the walls reinforced; walk-through tours are now conducted by the National Park Service.
Photo Date:  5/1/1946  Upload Date: 3/9/2017 1:58:05 AM
Location:  Conemaugh, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Tunnel
Locomotives: 
Views:  453   Comments: 1
APR, "Accident in Staple Bend Tunnel," 1843
Title:  APR, "Accident in Staple Bend Tunnel," 1843
Description:  Here is the text of an article that was published in a July 1843 issue of Huntingdon's "Journal." It recounts an accident which occurred inside the Staple Bend Tunnel on the Allegheny Portage Railroad near Conemaugh, Pennsylvania. Source: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 7/1/2024 2:49:38 PM
Location:  Conemaugh, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Tunnel
Locomotives: 
Views:  35   Comments: 0
APR, "Terrible Explosion," 1852
Title:  APR, "Terrible Explosion," 1852
Description:  Here is an article headlined "Terrible Explosion" that was published originally in the 15 December 1852 issue of Indiana's "Gazette." Partial Quotation: "On Tuesday last about one o'clock, P.M., a terrific scene occurred at the foot of Plane No. 6, A.P.R.R." Plane Number Six began at the summit near Cresson and sloped sharply downhill toward Duncansville. As such, it occurred near the Muleshoe Curve and the tunnel over US Route 22. Source: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 9/24/2023 11:45:25 AM
Location:  Cresson, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives: 
Views:  52   Comments: 0
APR, Engine & Iron Sale, 1853
Title:  APR, Engine & Iron Sale, 1853
Description:  Here is an article headlined "Stationary Engines and Railroad Iron for Sale" that was published originally in the 24 March 1853 issue of Ebensburg's "Mountain Sentinel." Partial Quotation: "Five Stationary Engines, with Boilers, at Planes Nos. 1,2, and 3, on the Allegheny Portage Railroad, are now for sale." Send bids to Mr. Timothy Ives, Superintendent of New Road to Avoid Inclined Planes, A.P.R.R. Source: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 3/25/2024 3:06:03 PM
Location:  Ebensburg, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  31   Comments: 0
APR, Accident Report, 1854
Title:  APR, Accident Report, 1854
Description:  Here is the text of an article that was published in the 11 April 1854 issue of Lancaster's "Intelligencer." It recounts an accident which occurred at Plane #10 on the Allegheny Portage Railroad near Duncansville, Pennsylvania ~ not "Hollidaysburg," as cited. Source: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. (#11,300)
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 4/3/2024 10:39:51 PM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives: 
Views:  61   Comments: 0
"Allegheny Portage Railroad," 1977
Title:  "Allegheny Portage Railroad," 1977
Description:  Here is a cartoon montage composed by Patrick M. Reynolds entitled "The Allegheny Portage Railroad." It was published originally in the 21 May 1977 issue of Pottsville's "Republican," page two. Source: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Photo Date:  5/21/1977  Upload Date: 5/22/2024 8:28:06 AM
Location:  Duncansville, PA
Author:  Thomas C. Ayers
Categories:  Station,Steam,Transit,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  43   Comments: 0

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