Wye Switches. Here is the first of seven successive original photos that I took at the Wye Switches in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 5 October 1964. Shown here (R to L) are Pennsylvania Railroad engines #2511, #9546-B, and #9686. #2511 is a GF-25 built by General Electric in October of 1962 and rated at 2,500 horsepower. #9546-B and #9686 were built by GM-EMD as EH-15's for helper service, rated at 1,500 horsepower each, but later regeared and reclassified as EF-15A's. #9546-B was built in November of 1948 and retired in December of 1966, while #9686 was built in February of 1949. These three units, two freight cars, PRR cabin car #477781, and three ALCO helper engines have just arrived from Altoona and have stopped in the middle of US Route 22 so that the Fireman can call-in to request clearance to proceed up the New Portage Branch line for a short distance and then stop. After that, they'll back into the Hollidaysburg Yards, pick-up a freight train, and then pull it up the New Portage Branch to Gallitzin and points West. |