Serenade in blue: The distant roar of power steadily becomes louder as a heavy westbound manifest works up the grade. Coming out of Scotch Run curve and passing MP 241 the sound is overwhelming and thrilling. The long manifest plods past with another pair of helpers on the rear; then one can hear the laboring of the units as the train wraps around Horseshoe Curve and ascends the opposite side of the valley. A good ten minutes pass until the sounds of this eternal struggle eventually fades within the vastness of the mountains. It's twelve noon on a delightful autumn day in Pennsylvania and it won't be long until another train breaks the mountain solitude.
