Bennett RR Railfan Video: NS 561&562 on the Keystone Branch

The rather obscure and remote NS Keystone branch is a 16 mile branch running from the junction with the NS Conemaugh Line at CP Salts in Saltsburg, PA to the Keystone Generating Plant in Shelocta, PA. Coal trains 561/562 and gypsum trains are the only regular traffic on the branch.

The portion of the line north from Clarksburg to Shelocta was originally the BR&P Ridge Branch. Before NS built the new line from CP Salts to Clarksburg, the coal trains accessed the Keystone plant from the north, via the BR&P (CSX-Chessie-B&O) Ridge Branch which started at Creekside, PA.

Follow along as we chase a loaded 562 coal train north from Saltsburg to Shelocta, and the following day we chase an empty 561 south from Shelocta to Salsburg. One can chase the entire line fairly easily, and there are several good photo/video spots. It does help to consult Google Maps as the roads are mostly secondary roads, and a good portion are gravel/dirt roads. But I have not had any difficulty in a minivan getting around.

The branch is controlled by the Pittsburgh West dispatcher, radio frequency 160.800. Clearances are given to trains over the radio before they move, so if one listens it is possible to get notice of an impending move.

Train frequency seems to be about one a day. If a 562 runs to Shelocta, normally a 561 will return empty the following day. The gypsum trains seem much more infrequent. Sometimes I have heard both a gypsum train and a 562 on the same day, and extra trains (Y62) have also been heard.

One can hang out around the Saltsburg area and the Conemaugh line, and if anything runs on the Keystone you will be able to catch it.

To help following along, Google Maps coordinates are:
CP Salts: 40.502450, -79.440111
Farm Scene, Clarksburg PA:
40.538734, -79.374120 good for south bounds
40.541050, -79.371052 across the fields
Off Blackleggs Rd: 40.558495, -79.363285
Off Wertz Rd: 40.595836, -79.340848
Parkwood Rd Overpass: 40.618634, -79.296449
Anthony Run Rd, South Xing: 40.646498, -79.280488
Anthony Run Rd, North Xing: 40.650129, -79.287076
Rt 56 Crossing, Shelocta: 40.656550, -79.306250

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