Uploaded November 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
During the summer of 2013 on the CSX Keystone Subdivision I stopped to shoot trains near Confluence, PA on my way to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's famed work of architecture, Fallingwater, in Mill Run, PA, ironically situated near the CSX Mainline running through nearby Ohiopyle. Confluence is a rather interesting section of the Keystone Subdivision, because it consists of two mainlines that split from each other between Draketown and Fort Hill—the town is also unique and aptly named because the confluence of the Laurel Hill Creek, Casselman River, and Youghiogheny (Yock-uh-gain-ee) River occurs at this location, creating plenty of scenic backdrops amidst the mountains. The advantage of this from a railfan perspective is the wide variety of shots one can have throughout the day in a single location. The "High-Line" which was the first section of track built runs through Ursina, PA, while the "Low-Grade" was added later circling around the hillside to the south. During the filming of this video, all trains were forced to use the "low-grade" because of extensive tunnel work for the National Gateway project, causing train curfews during the day, meaning trains ran early in the morning and later in the afternoon. This worked perfectly with my plans to visit Fallingwater, since I could see trains in the morning, visit my tourist destination, then see more trains later that afternoon just east of Draketown interlocking. The work for the National Gateway project by this July of 2013 already included the daylighting of Shoofly, Benford, and Pinkerton tunnels (an unfortunate destruction of Baltimore & Ohio artifacts). Brook Tunnel, located on the "high-line" was undergoing significant undercutting to raise the ceiling for doublestack containers.
July 23, 2013
0:00 -- Empty auto train Q261 glides down the "low-grade" at Frantz Road with a nice classic EMD on the point. This would be the last train to make it through the curfew at Sand Patch tunnel between 9 AM -- 4PM.
Q261 -- Empty automotive
CSX SD40-2 8091
CSX ES40DC 5233
2:30 -- That afternoon the flood gates opened up in Connellsville, PA just west of our location, which is a main crew change point along the route between Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MD. S216 was the second in the fleet of four eastbounds running back-to-back (I missed the first, a Q138). In fact, there were supposed to be more eastbounds, but the Sand Patch curfew was unfortunately extended to 6 PM, causing only the trains that had already left Connellsville to be permitted through the site (therefore no westbounds left Cumberland until 4 PM, screwing any chance of seeing them).
S216 -- Second / Late section of Q216 -- Loaded automotive
CSX ES40DC 5214
CSX ES40DC 5315
4:20 -- Moving west of Confluence, but just east of Draketown interlocking (the signals can be seen in the distance, but is mostly hidden by the trees), we find ourselves along the Youghiogheny River for Q226, who has nice, loud EMD's leading the train. Notice the single lane road that runs between the railroad and the river, in which cars have to yield at one side and wait for oncoming traffic.
Q226 -- Loaded automotive
CSX SD70MAC 4568
CSX SD50-2 8631
6:10 -- Following about an hour behind the fast-moving Q226 is a slower, heavy coal train, U861, that had helpers put on in Connellsville for the ride up to the summit at Sand Patch.
U861 -- Loaded Coal
CSX AC4400CW 41
CSX AC4400CW 565
Helpers:
CSX AC4400CW 567
CSX AC4400CW 265
That brings the show to a wrap... and as always, thanks for watching!!!
During the summer of 2013 on the CSX Keystone Subdivision I stopped to shoot trains near Confluence, PA on my way to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's famed work of architecture, Fallingwater, in Mill Run, PA, ironically situated near the CSX Mainline running through nearby Ohiopyle. Confluence is a rather interesting section of the Keystone Subdivision, because it consists of two mainlines that split from each other between Draketown and Fort Hill—the town is also unique and aptly named because the confluence of the Laurel Hill Creek, Casselman River, and Youghiogheny (Yock-uh-gain-ee) River occurs at this location, creating plenty of scenic backdrops amidst the mountains. The advantage of this from a railfan perspective is the wide variety of shots one can have throughout the day in a single location. The "High-Line" which was the first section of track built runs through Ursina, PA, while the "Low-Grade" was added later circling around the hillside to the south. During the filming of this video, all trains were forced to use the "low-grade" because of extensive tunnel work for the National Gateway project, causing train curfews during the day, meaning trains ran early in the morning and later in the afternoon. This worked perfectly with my plans to visit Fallingwater, since I could see trains in the morning, visit my tourist destination, then see more trains later that afternoon just east of Draketown interlocking. The work for the National Gateway project by this July of 2013 already included the daylighting of Shoofly, Benford, and Pinkerton tunnels (an unfortunate destruction of Baltimore & Ohio artifacts). Brook Tunnel, located on the "high-line" was undergoing significant undercutting to raise the ceiling for doublestack containers.
July 23, 2013
0:00 -- Empty auto train Q261 glides down the "low-grade" at Frantz Road with a nice classic EMD on the point. This would be the last train to make it through the curfew at Sand Patch tunnel between 9 AM -- 4PM.
Q261 -- Empty automotive
CSX SD40-2 8091
CSX ES40DC 5233
2:30 -- That afternoon the flood gates opened up in Connellsville, PA just west of our location, which is a main crew change point along the route between Pittsburgh, PA and Cumberland, MD. S216 was the second in the fleet of four eastbounds running back-to-back (I missed the first, a Q138). In fact, there were supposed to be more eastbounds, but the Sand Patch curfew was unfortunately extended to 6 PM, causing only the trains that had already left Connellsville to be permitted through the site (therefore no westbounds left Cumberland until 4 PM, screwing any chance of seeing them).
S216 -- Second / Late section of Q216 -- Loaded automotive
CSX ES40DC 5214
CSX ES40DC 5315
4:20 -- Moving west of Confluence, but just east of Draketown interlocking (the signals can be seen in the distance, but is mostly hidden by the trees), we find ourselves along the Youghiogheny River for Q226, who has nice, loud EMD's leading the train. Notice the single lane road that runs between the railroad and the river, in which cars have to yield at one side and wait for oncoming traffic.
Q226 -- Loaded automotive
CSX SD70MAC 4568
CSX SD50-2 8631
6:10 -- Following about an hour behind the fast-moving Q226 is a slower, heavy coal train, U861, that had helpers put on in Connellsville for the ride up to the summit at Sand Patch.
U861 -- Loaded Coal
CSX AC4400CW 41
CSX AC4400CW 565
Helpers:
CSX AC4400CW 567
CSX AC4400CW 265
That brings the show to a wrap... and as always, thanks for watching!!!
![Union Pacific SD60 Leads a Train! [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ta12NvOrbEQ/mqdefault.jpg "Union Pacific SD60 Leads a Train! [4K]
July 11, 2018: On a beautiful summer morning, Charleston, SC - Port Newark, NJ baretable train 24Q is led by an increasingly rare, Union Pacific SD60 2188 with UP SD70M 4904 trailing. This once a week train of empty wells satisfies the demand of incoming containers at the Port Newark - Elizabeth Marine Terminal, seen here passing through Fleetwood, PA on the Norfolk Southern Reading Line. The train eases eastbound through a 25 MPH speed restriction about a mile to the west. Some nice blue wildflowers accompany scene. Id be curious to know where the style of numberboard on 2188 came from?
Like us on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/CentralPennRailProductions
SD60s were common power on road trains up until around 2009-2010, when much of the fleet was sold to leasing companies, while the remainder went into storage. Same for the SD60Ms. Several UP SD60s and SD60Ms have been put back into service with a power shortage due to an increase in traffic. Most of these locomotives end up in local service, or on Norfolk Southern to repay horsepower hours, much like back in 2010 and 11 when NS also had a bunch of UP SD60Ms (and leased UP C40-8s) roaming the rails to fill trains ahead of the ES44AC/SD70ACe orders. There was also the occasional ex-UP SD60, typically HLCX, leading freights. Jump to today, especially with in the days of PTC installation and trip optimizer, seeing a leased or original UP SD60 leading a train on foreign rails is almost unheard of since most wind up in the trailing position. So with all of that said, this will be one of my prized catches for the year, even more so than the UP 1943 on the Union Pacific business train, which is just an over-rated spectacle in my opinion.
Thanks for watching!")
![Reading & Northern Diesel Duty with CNJ 113 [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TmxIe2z1sIA/mqdefault.jpg "Reading & Northern Diesel Duty with CNJ 113 [4K]
On December 6 and 20, 2015, the Santa Train Excursions ran between Landingville and Minersville, PA. Reading & Northern provided diesel power for the outbound move for CNJ 113s northward runs back to Minersville. On the 6th, RBMN SD50 5022 provides power, while on the 20th, one of the newer GP39RN (GP30 body) RBMN 2532 provides assistance. These shots are in no particular order, but more detailed information can be found below.
If you havent seen the video of CNJ 113, you can watch it here:
https://youtu.be/zXiXYX22mXw
Like us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/CentralPennRailProductions
Fan funding: The icon in the upper right corner allows you to make donations to this channel. Wed be more than thrilled by your extra support!
0:00 - The last trip of the afternoon on December 6 passes the freshly restored depot at West Cressona.
1:20 - On December 20, R&N 2532 eases around the bend along Cressona Yard with plenty of R&N goodies laying around, most notably the Lehigh & New England inspired box cars.
2:35 - Later that afternoon the train eases around the bend at Landingville, where not long after CNJ 113 would storm back north.
3:30 - That evening, the last trip of the day passes through Schulykill Haven.
http://www.rrproject113.org/
http://www.lgsry.com/
Thanks for watching!")
