Webcam at Horseshoe Curve, Pa?

[dwil89]

On another forum, Scott Cessna, the Director of the Altoona Railroaders Museum posed an idea and asked for opinions on it. It involves the installation of a Webcam at Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania, or else down in Altoona. The installation at the Curve would also involve installation of Wi-Fi, which would allow laptop wireless internet access at the Curve....He is asking for opinions on this idea....would it be a waste of time and money? Or would a Cam and Wi-fi be of interest to the Railfan and general public. I posted his note on the following link,in public message archives so it can be read in his words Dave Williams http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsaltoonajohnstown

[Anonymous]

That's a great idea! I would love to watch trains on the Curve live from my own house!

[DPD1]

I think it would be good if he uses a motion sensor to activate it, like the trainorders cams do. Personally, I think that's the only way to go... Otherwise it's a crap shoot as to whether you see the head end or not, and usually you don't.

Dave
-Rail Radio Online-Home of the "TrainTenna" RR Monitoring Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline

[dwil89]

The one at the Station Inn in Cresson has been down due to some Router problems, but that one works on motion also...As soon as a train gets into the view of the cam, it starts, and snaps still pictures every few seconds, so the head ends are not missed, if the Horseshoe Curve Cam does become a reality, I would hope a similar system is put into place. I believe the webcam, and associated wi-fi would be a good idea, the next major issue for the Museum would be to look at cost of setup, and maintaining it. Dave Wlliams

[dwil89]

On another website, someone brought up the issue of nighttime viewing, Scott Cessna's post asks about the interest in Cams at Horseshoe Curve and/or Altoona which means the possibility about perhaps two cams One in Altoona, and one at the Curve..The lighting in Altoona at night would allow better night viewing than at the Curve, which would be pitchdark at night, Dave Williams http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsaltoonajohnstown

[Anonymous]

SOunds like a great idea!

[trainfan1221]

I see the one at The Station Inn was already mentioned, I thought it was too slow anyway, only showed images.

[eolafan]

On the idea of a webcam at Horseshoe Curve...YES, YES, YES, YES...a thousand times YES!