The Southern heritage ES44AC leads hotshot intermodal train 21E out of the tunnel at Gallitzin and starts down the west slope towards Pittsburgh.

Norfolk Southern put helpers ahead on this heavy train.

A pair of SD40E helper locomotives shove a heavy manifest towards Pittsburgh.

The sun rises sets on National Train Day upon Gallitzin PA.

Norfolk Southern's "Office Car Special", train #955, exits the double track tunnel into Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, shortly after sunset on main track three. Photo by Casey Thomason. Fo... (more)

A D8-40CW glides down the West Slope while exiting the Gallitzin tunnels.

A EMD SD70M-2 glides down the West Slope while exiting the Gallitzin tunnels.

765 thunders through the Tunnel during the Employee excursion during 2013's Horseshoe Curve Special.

Nickel Plate Road Berkshire #765 exits the tunnel into a foggy Gallitzin, Pennsylvania, during an Altoona-based employee appreciation excursion on May 19, 2013. Photo by Casey Thomason. For mo... (more)

The last of four SD40E helpers disappears down the menacing Slide, assisting in the braking of a PPLX coal train destined for Strawberry Ridge. On the front were two clean looking Conrail SD60I's ... (more)

A Four-Pack of SD40E helpers assist a PPLX coal train dropping down the Slide into the New Portage Tunnel. Even in person, the 2.2 grade looks just as dramatic.

At the time I saw it come into view, I was more excited to see the Conrail leader than the Santa Fe Dash 8. Amazingly, you can still see Santa Fe units as all of the originally painted Conrail uni... (more)

A westbound UPS train crests the summit and begins its descent down the West Slope