Eastern Railroad Discussion > NS Johnstown to Altoona Grades vs CSXT Sand Patch

Good Morning:

How do the grades on the NS mainline between Johnstown and Gallitzen and between Altoona and Gallitzen compare to the grades on both sides of Sand Patch? Also, what are the maximum authorized speeds of both routes?

On a separate note, what is the grade on the NS between Johnstown and Pittsburgh?

Thank you in advance.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/10/17 07:34 by CSXT_8437.

NS Altoona to Jotwn is more of a steady grade over the mtn. Track on from the tunnels to Benny Curve is steeper then the other tracks.

CSX sand patch going east from connellsville to cumberland is steeper to the summit and gradual going down into the "Narrows" to Cumberland.
Oil trains CSX runs loaded go east through NY over former NYC lines and when they are empty they go west through Cumberland/Sand Patch.

The "defining" grade on Sand Patch eastbound is the last mile from Keystone to Sand Patch.  Westbound the two most challenging parts are around Brackens (a few miles west of Hyndman) and between Manila and Mance. 

easternrailvideos Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NS Altoona to Jotwn is more of a steady grade over
> the mtn. Track on from the tunnels to Benny Curve
> is steeper then the other tracks.
>
> CSX sand patch going east from connellsville to
> cumberland is steeper to the summit and gradual
> going down into the "Narrows" to Cumberland.
> Oil trains CSX runs loaded go east through NY over
> former NYC lines and when they are empty they go
> west through Cumberland/Sand Patch.

Empty crude trains ony go west this route when needed due to congestion on Trenton/River sub divisions, empties have been back to the Selkirk route for a few months now.