CSX Sand Patch Grade

On the former B&O route through the Allegheny mountains, the CSX Keystone Subdivision hosts a variety of trains each day that claw their way up mountain grades exceeding 2%. This is Sand Patch Grade, hosting numerous mountain vistas, creeks, tight curves and tunnels. This hour long production takes you to some of the main railfanning locations found along the east and west slopes between Hyndman, PA and Garrett, PA between 2009 and 2012.

Merry Christmas everyone! I have been holding out on this footage for way too long, with plans of producing a DVD of this route. However, not having the time or proper equipment just yet, this may still be a couple of years away. Regardless, this is my Christmas gift to you all and I hope you enjoy! Times stamps are in the description for easy navigation through the video.

April 8, 2009
0:00 - Loaded coal train V634 squeels around the tight bend at FO with applied brakes smoking as the shoes hold back 1000s of tons of coal led by CSX 4742 and 222.

June 7, 2009
2:18 - Q277, a long train of empty autoracks, although light weight, works hard on the steep section of hill before entering Falls Cut Tunnel. CSX SD70MAC 4748 and C40-9W 9040 take charge as CSX SD50-2 8598 shoves the rear keeping the slack incheck.

June 9, 2009
4:06 - With about 130 coal loads weighing about 18,000 tons, U883 digs into the steepest part of the west slope starting at Glade City, about 3 miles from the summit. The second engine is so hot it gives off steam. CSX SD70MAC 4512 leads 435 with a trio of C40-8's, CSX 7531, 7604 and 7549 assist on the rear.

February 20, 2010
8:04 - 2 feet of snow is on the ground as Q358 rounds the horseshoe at Glade City with 4 C40-8W's for power: CSX 7332 and 7817 lead with CSX 7390 and 7847 shoving hard on the rear.

10:39 - Q394 crests the summit at Sandpatch. As the train goes away, an elevation marker that indicates "Summit of Alleghenies Altitude 2258" The train was short, but consisted of mostly loaded cars, which required a helper set on the rear. CSX 5480, 7314 and 5245 lead while CSX 7567 and 7699 help.

13:55 - The setting sun starts to silhouette the former Western Maryland Keystone Viaduct as a loaded autorack S216 throttles hard up the hill with CSX SD40-2 8853 leading 8091 and 9040.

July 20, 2010
16:08 - Amtrak Capitol Limited with P42DC's 61 and 144 fly over the summit and blows lots of horn upon entering the 4475' Sand Patch Tunnel. Meanwhile, Q137 emerges from the tunnel with loud EMD's, CSX SD60I 8739 and SD70MAC 4742.

August 9, 2010
18:45 - After holding for traffic ahead entering Cumberland Yard, Q394 with CSX C40-8W's 7694 and 7882 has no trouble getting to speed running downhill through Hyndman. The C&O caboose on the left hosts the trainorders sandpatch webcam.

21:35 - Q359 nears the summit as it passes Manilla with an entire exConrail consist except the leader: CSX 5271, 8781, 8717, 2477, 2749, and 8814 wearing blue.

August 10, 2010
23:06 - Q277 grinds up the scenic horseshoe curve at Mance as with CSX SD60M 8769 leading 9002 with C40-8 7518 helping on the rear.

25:49 - Q368, with 3 different YN2 locomotives, takes hold of the rails at Glade City without any helpers. CSX 533, 7522, and 4572.

March 15, 2011
29:27 - Q352 drops through Falls Cut Tunnel on a frosty late-winter morning with CSX SD50-2 8579 and C40-8 7576.

March 16, 2011
31:39 - Q352 roars uphill at Keystone with classic EMD power online, inclunding a rare GP39: CSX SD40-2 8867 leads CSX 424, 8082, 4294, 8242, and 122.

33:31 - A long, heavy Q375 fights gravity while passing the overlook in Fairhope. CSX ES40DC 5458 leads 7786, with CSX C40-8W 7754 as helper.

March 17, 2011
39:16 - Q166 runs along the Casselman River at the US219 overpass with CSX AC6000CW 5008 leading CSX 9018.

41:09 - A short Q359 nears the town of Glencoe with a mix of power, CSX 5327, 8835, 1545, 8864, 8400, and 5401.

43:03 - S226 passes MOW at Foley Overlook with a fresh painted CSX YN3 C40-8W 7337 leading CSX 7673.

June 20, 2011
46:14 - Q226 passes the depot in Meyersdale with a fresh painted CSX YN3 C40-8 7496 leading CSX SD50-2 8549.

48:23 - Q138 pops out the eastern portal of Sand Patch Tunnel as it starts its trek down grade with CSX 7869 and 307.

June 22, 2011
50:14 - Although I didn't include other scenes, foreign power is common on the Keystone Subdivision. Q368 roars uphill at Garrett with an EMD consist up front, UP SD70M 5201, CSX SD40-2 8097, CSX SD50-2 8636, with GE Dash-8 power shoving on the rear, CSX 7524 and 7713.

53:05 - A short Q359 fits the scene at Garrett with CSX SD40-2 8128 leading C40-8W 7801.

January 5, 2012
54:48 - With a light snowfall on the ground, a short Q358 rounds the bend at Yoder having no trouble up the hill. CSX SD60M 8785 leads C40-8W's 7700 and 7682.

56:08 - Q216 passes through a cut just east of the NA signals with a pair of exConrail CSX C40-8W's 7363 and 7322.

57:48 - Q138 rounds the horseshoe curve at Mance with CSX C40-8 7509 leading CSX 89 and 922.