MP173 Martin Guitar sounds like a great stop. There was an article on them last week in the WSJ. They have a much cheaper ($1000) guitar out for the recession. There seems to be quite a bit here to do. I am narrowing things down on the west side to Cassandra, AR Tower, Tunnelhill overview and attempting to find MG Tower. Is it still standing? HC is a must stop and Alto Tower. By then we should boogie on down to Bethlehem for a nice time with Bob and Jane, then contemplate the return trip. How far is Martin Guitar from Bethlehem? ed
There seems to be quite a bit here to do. I am narrowing things down on the west side to Cassandra, AR Tower, Tunnelhill overview and attempting to find MG Tower. Is it still standing?
HC is a must stop and Alto Tower.
By then we should boogie on down to Bethlehem for a nice time with Bob and Jane, then contemplate the return trip. How far is Martin Guitar from Bethlehem?
ed
MG Tower - for 'Mid-Grade', from Altoona to the summit at Gallitzin - is about midway along the long tangent that is on a north-south alignment, just to the south [railroad 'west'] of Horseshoe Curve, on the western side. It's about 1 mile south of the 'center axis' of the Curve and the water reservoirs there, and about 1 mile north of Sugar Run Road and 'new' US 22 to the south.
And yes, it still stands - see a 2007 photo of it at - http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=277661
Note one of the comments - ''Could you share with us how you got to this location?'' The word most often used is ''inaccessible'' [except on or by the railroad]. It's about a 1-1/2 to 2 mile uphill hike [1-way] northwards in along a dirt access road [with a locked gate - it's to provide and restrict access to the railroad, too] that springs off of Sugar Run Road to the south, or a 3 to 5-mile hike in over the various ''Jeep Trails'' [USGS map label] over the mountainside to the west, or from the Gallitzin road just west of the Curve, etc. It can be done, but all of them are close to stairway steep in places, and can get overgrown quickly. I wouldn't attempt it without allowing most of a day, and having decent hiking or woodsman [''deer or turkey hunting''] grade boots, pants, long-sleeved shirt, water, and topo maps - plus another day to scout and ask permission or check on current owners, etc. Likewise for hiking into the 'outside the Curve' photo locations.
Martin Guitar is not far from Bethlehem. From the center city area, it's a straight shot up PA Rt. 191 to Nazareth - about 9 or 10 miles, 20 to 30 minutes, max. - and likely shorter, easier, and faster if you're coming from a location that's more accessible to the limited access roads, such as Rt. 22 or Rt. 33, which of course your in-laws-to-be would be more familiar with. I'll see can find a website for you.
EDIT; See - http://www.martinguitar.com/visit/
and more generally http://www.martinguitar.com/
Hours - 8;00 AM to 5;00 PM, Mon. - Fri.
Google Maps says it's 10.8 miles and 25 minutes to Martin Guitars at 510 Sycamore St., Nazareth, PA 18064 from center city Bethlehem at Broad St. and Main St., 18101, via PA Rt. 191. Once you get out of the denser city area with all the stoplights, etc. - and certainly north of Rt. 22 - it's a nice drive through the [mostly] countryside.
- Paul North.
Paul,
I checked on the Google Maps for MG and after consulting with others, it will be a NO GO. I dont think she would appreciate the hike, particularly with the threat of reptiles.
Martin Guitar should be a stop. She has a childhood friend working there.
Any decent spots on the ex LV north of Allentown? It appears there is a gorge or water gap.
There's a pulloff in Tunnelhill (east side of Gallitzin) off Tunnelhill Street as you head north through town (just past Portage Street) on the right. I think it's just before a hill and a white building/house on the right. On Google Maps, it looks like it's called Strip Mines Road, although I don't recall it actually being more than a drive. If you get a chance to get there, unless it's overgrown looking east, you'll have a really nice view of the hills and tracks to the east, including the Slide.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
ed -
Good calls on the 1st two, IMHO. Maybe a little later I'll post my tale from our Labor Day 1966 or '67 camping trip to that area.
Yes - depends on your personal flavor of ''decent''. Most likely what you're seeing is ''Lehigh Gap'', where the Lehigh River cuts through the Blue Mountain / Kittatinny Ridge - just south of Palmerton, PA - north of Walnutport [east side]and Slatington [west side]. The ex-LV was on the west side there and is gone 20 years now - the Lehigh Gap Nature Center is on the west side of the Gap, and its acccess road and some trails are on the former R-O-W. The ''live'' track on the east side is the former CRR of NJ R-O-W. There also used to be a massive deck truss bridge that carried the Lehigh and New England RR soaring across the gap over both railroads, PA Rt. 248 - the ''hanging highway'' [the NB lanes are cantilevered out over the SB lanes by 10 or 12 feet], and the Lehigh River - model railroaders drool at the prototype that provided - but it was scrapped in the late 1960s.
Above the Gap is somewhat scenic through Lehighton = former LV RR shop town, not much of that left, though. But after that it gets really scenic - Jim Thorpe, formerly Mauch Chunk, the ''Switzerland of America'' - is the gateway to the southern entrance to the Lehigh Gorge State Park. For the most part the 2 live tracks there - 1 is NS, the other is Reading and Northern - are on the ex-LV R-O-W, but the trail that is the centerpiece of the Park is on the ex-CNJ R-O-W. It extends for about 25 miles to the town of White Haven and the Hickory Run State Park, and there are some decent photo opportunities there, too.
The chief difficulty is going to be finding a train - unless you're OK with just the tracks. There's maybe 2 or 3 a day in daylight hours, but I'm not along that line often enough to say that they're predictable - I kind of doubt it. I'd recommend staking out the Jim Thorpe area - there are a lot of little shops, cafes, and B-and-B's, etc. there, and the Visitor's Center is in the old CNJ passenger station. Also some older equipment was stored in the yard that extends to the north, but that may have changed since the excursion passenger operation changed hands a couple years ago.
chatanuga There's a pulloff in Tunnelhill (east side of Gallitzin) off Tunnelhill Street as you head north through town (just past Portage Street) on the right. I think it's just before a hill and a white building/house on the right. On Google Maps, it looks like it's called Strip Mines Road, although I don't recall it actually being more than a drive. If you get a chance to get there, unless it's overgrown looking east, you'll have a really nice view of the hills and tracks to the east, including the Slide. Kevin
If you are traveling from the west I would suggest staying away from US22, which is exit 6 of the Penna Pike. It is under massive construction as they are trying to get it four lane from Pittsburgh to the Altoona area. Traffic jams and delays, can get frustrating.
If you take the turnpike to exit 10 (Somerset) then go north on SR219 you will come to the SR53 exit not far from Johnstown. SR53 runs parallel to the mainline through South Fork, Summerhill, Wilmore, Portage, Cassandra, Lilly, then you meet up with US22 near Cresson. While on SR53 you will see many stone bridges built by the PRR and other railroad scenes giving you many photo ops as you travel. When you get to the Cresson area you will note US22, go east and enjoy a nice scenic four lane highway into Altoona.
Taking 219 is longer mileage wise, but time wise due to the construction on US22 plus other factors its not much different and less aggravating if your not from the area. I am from Portage and now live in Ohio and avoid US22 as much as possible. Have a great time and hope you see many trains. Johnstown to Altoona is the greatest 40 mile stretch for railfans in America!!!
That overview is exactly what I am wanting. Kevin, what telephoto lens did you use on this shot? Also the overview at Cassandra looks appealing.
We were looking at the map tonight and I mentioned Jim Thorpe. The whole thing with B&B, shops, etc would appeal to her.
Hey, is the fishing any good around there? If so, what does one catch...smallmouth? Any trout?
One more thing...I have searched for an Altoona webcast of the NS and cant seem to find anything. It would be nice to listen in for a few days to get an idea of the operations.
K4PRR, that is exactly the info needed.
I have been playing with the idea of taking 22 across, PA Turnpike to 219 and PA Turnpike to 99 and had tentatively settled on 219. The kicker is the parallel routing to the PRR line. My PA DOT maps should be arriving soon, along with the county maps of Blair and Cambria.
Back in 1979, I rode the Broadway Ltd to Philadelphia. It was late out of Chicago due to a 20 inch snow storm (nothing was running except the Broadway). The upside was we passed thru PA in the daylight, including Horseshoe Curve. It was really spectacular scenery, especially for a midwesterner.
Fishing is good to excellent. I'm not into that, but a couple guys in my office are. They fish in the "wild native trout, catch & release, fly fishing only" stretch of the Little Lehigh Creek - which is literally a stone's throw from our office - over lunch hour. One of them graduated from Purdue Univ. 1-1/2 years ago, and came back to this area specifically for the fishing !
Since it's been a wet spring, the Monocacy Creek in Bethlehem should be good, as well as the upper reaches of the Lehigh River itself. There are many other EV and HQ - CWF = Exceptional Value and High Quality - Cold Water Fisheries streams in the area. I'll ask them tomorrow for some recommendations, but for the moment plan on bringing your gear.
I am not a trout fisherman, not too many here in Indiana other than Lake Michigan, but would give anything a try.
Ask the Purdue grad if he ever ate at Triple X.
Also, ask what other kinds of fish are out there and techniques/methods used.
Thanks,
henry6The area is very rugged and well snaked. Unless you really know the area, don't go off allowed paths and properties. It is also very grown over from the days of the classic pictures. Most all of the property is private and posted.
The area is very rugged and well snaked. Unless you really know the area, don't go off allowed paths and properties. It is also very grown over from the days of the classic pictures. Most all of the property is private and posted.
I am writing this from The Station Inn in Cresson at this moment.......After visiting the Horseshoe Curve and Gallitzin, get onto the West Slope between Cresson and Johnstown....Route 53 follows the mainline between Cresson and South Fork....I may be a bit biased here as my parents were born and raised in South Fork....but you will find a multitude of locations at places such as Cresson, Lilly, Jamestown, Cassandra, Portage, Summerhill, South Fork.....just follow Rte 53 South (railroad West) and turn off that road into these towns and you will discover neat trackside spots..vantagepoints from road overpass sidewalks, etc....
There is a coal loadout just off the mainline near Portage, and the South Fork Secondary Line branches off the main to three loading locations between South Fork and Central City
Conemaugh and Johnstown offer many neat vantagepoints of their own.
I will be posting videos throughout the week from various vantagepoints on the West Slope..
MP173 That overview is exactly what I am wanting. Kevin, what telephoto lens did you use on this shot?
That overview is exactly what I am wanting. Kevin, what telephoto lens did you use on this shot?
I've got a Pentax 35mm camera that I used. Not sure what the zoom is on it, although I had it zoomed in as far as it would go. I'm surprised it turned out that well since I didn't have a tripod at the time.
Here's the view from the year before with my old camera that didn't have a zoom.
Obviously, the zoomed photos I took in 2004 look much better.
Also, if you go to the overlook, don't follow the drive downhill past the overlook into the woods. Back in 1985 when my family and neighbor's son went over to the Curve and Gallitzin, my dad drove the car down the drive (ignoring the "No Trespassing" signs) with my mom throwing a fit the whole way because she was afraid of the tree limbs and brush scratching up her car. The drive ended up at trackside about where the old Muleshoe route branched off. Fortunately, the maintenance crews going by didn't see us. At that point, though, Mom's protests turn from concern about the car to yelling at my dad to get her out of there. Somehow, Dad got the car turned around, and we got back up the hill. Mom did finally calm down afterwards.
Sure looks like that site would benefit greatly from a brush-cuttin', train-watching 'work party' of some kind . . .
chatanuga There's a pulloff in Tunnelhill (east side of Gallitzin) off Tunnelhill Street as you head north through town (just past Portage Street) on the right. I think it's just before a hill and a white building/house on the right. On Google Maps, it looks like it's called Strip Mines Road, although I don't recall it actually being more than a drive. If you get a chance to get there, unless it's overgrown looking east, you'll have a really nice view of the hills and tracks to the east, including the Slide.
What about following Strip Mines Road to Bird Eyes Road? Looks like it follows the tracks for a little while.
About 2 years ago, I followed a gravel road down to trackside once, but it was very steep/narrow, and I wasn't really sure about where I was legally. The road ended up below track level and things were pretty well grown up, so it was a crummy shot anyhow. Was this Bird Eye, or something else? I think I was pretty close to the east portals at the time.
And about 20 years ago, I was down where you could get a clear shot of the eastern portal from a bank. I'm sure that's no longer accessible, though.
The gravel road leading down from the overlook at Tunnelhill has been improved over the past few years....The plot of land which that gravel road is located on the Track 3 side between Tunnelhill and Bennington Curve was purchased by the state and is now posted as State Gamelands.....so the old $10,000 fine-no trespassing sign is now gone and replaced with State Gameland signing.......I will check it out again this week while I'm in.....Also, the view from the tunnelhill overlook is slightly better now than in 2004 as some locals did a little tree trimming on the slope..
Once you get to the bottom of the hill near the tracks, don't venture beyond the railroad gates onto the right of way.....State Gameland property ends at the railroad right of way....this time of year, weeds and brush along the right of way obscures a clear view down there...
MP173 I am not a trout fisherman, not too many here in Indiana other than Lake Michigan, but would give anything a try. Ask the Purdue grad if he ever ate at Triple X. Also, ask what other kinds of fish are out there and techniques/methods used. Thanks, ed
Too bad - Andy says trout are in just about every stream around here. Lest my previous post discourage you, be advised that by no means are all streams 'catch-and-release' or 'fly fishing only'. He says there are many streams that are stocked where you can keep them. But unfortunately, as the water warms at this time of year, even the stocked trout are attracted pretty much only to things that look like bugs.
That said, Andy says that most streams have smallmouth bass, and that ''the Lehigh River has everything - smallmouth, pike, muskies, shad, catfish'', etc. For those, he said whatever you use in Indiana should work here, too. I'll see if I can find a website with more specifics for you.
Aslo says he knows where the Triple XXX is, but never ate there. Something about a ''Horton Burger'' slathered with peanut butter and ketchup was not too appealing to him.
Something else to consider might be a short 39-mile, 55 minute, $9.50 [per person, 1-way] Amtrak trip through this area. It could be 1-way - esp. if your fianc/e is willling to shuttle the car from one end to the other, per any of the 3 listed below - or a round-trip on Sunday afternoon, per the last two. Here's a link to the Pennsylvanian's route description:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1093553988378&ssid=134
and the current schedule:
http://www.amtrak.com/timetable/apr09/P42.pdf
which is summarized as follows for what I would consider doing:
EB - 42 Mon.-Sat. Dp.Johnstown 8:54 AM - Ar. Altoona 9:49 AM
EB - 44 Sun. only. Dp.Johnstown 2:54 PM - Ar. Altoona 3:49 PM
1 Hr. 17 min. lay-over in Altoona
WB - 43 Daily Dp. Altoona 5:06 PM - Ar. Johnstown 6:00 PM
-
Paul_D_North_JrSomething else to consider might be a short 39-mile, 55 minute, $9.50 [per person, 1-way] Amtrak trip through this area
That was a fun trip for Jean and I, some years ago....We were staying downtown {Johnstown}, in the Holiday Inn Hotel, {walking distance to old Penn station}, and took Amtrak to Altoona, visited the Railroad museum and caught the west bound back to Johnstown. Believe it was about a 2 1/2 hr time in Altoona between trains. Loved it. They even had Gov. rangers on the train explaining some of the sights as we were passing.
Quentin
Paul:Good idea, but probably not feasible. If the train is late....well I will have some 'spainin' to do.
My Horseshoe Curve file is getting big. This weekend I will sort thru it and make a final determination.
Dave, I am enjoying your videos, and your commentary.
I did that Altoona to Johnstown round trip ride a couple of times over the Summer of 1999 or 2000 back when there were still 2 Amtraks in each direction......Would pick up the Midday Westbound out of Altoona, lay over in Johnstown for 6 hours, eat at the restaurant at the top of the Johnstown Inclined Plane and then take the evening run back.....
Nowadays the itinerary would be reversed as the EB runs in the AM and the Westbound in the PM, so it would be a Johnstown-Altoona-Johnstown Round trip...
I've only been to Horseshoe Curve riding on a Pennsy train that was going around the Curve. The conductor came thru the cars calling out "Horseshoe Curve" and everybody moved to that side to look out the windows. It was pretty impressive, but I think it would be even more so seeing it from trackside. My parents and I were on our way to New York City. We also passed thru Johnstown, the site of the infamous flood. Lots of scenic spots in that area.
dwil89Would pick up the Midday Westbound out of Altoona, lay over in Johnstown for 6 hours, eat at the restaurant at the top of the Johnstown Inclined Plane and then take the evening run back.....
For a while my Avatar consisted of a photo taken by wife Jean as we sat at a window table at that Inclined Plane restaurant in Johnstown. An outstanding view of the city from there...roughly 700' or so almost straight down to the city floor....and one can observe the former Pennsylvania Station and the east / west RR route thru there....Have lots of pic's I've taken over the years from there. A great observation area for anyone who might be interested. And that is walking distance from the Holiday Inn Hotel in downtown. Of course, ride the Incline Plane to get up there from downtown Johnstown.
SunnylandWe also passed thru Johnstown, the site of the infamous flood. Lots of scenic spots in that area.
Floods...{Plural}. 1889......1936.....and 1977. Of course, the 1889 flood was by far the worst....over 2,000 souls perished. They all had fatalities....The 1977 one, I believe was about 81 and don't have the facts for any of them in front of me now, but do have it here. I remember seeing the aftermath of the '36 flood and it was devastating. I was quite young but still have some sites of it in memory....Of course did see the destruction of the last one...{We were in the area right after it happened}. That one hurt the city pretty bad economically.
I agree with what the others are saying. The curve is pretty good, but inside pictures and some history in the base station. They had a handout that I printed off from their website which had the schedule of all trains on a particular day which was helpful. The tunnels are cool and definitely the museum in Altoona is worth a visit. ou aren't too far away from the East Broadtop and the trolley museum which is kind of neat too. As for Starucca, I say go for it. It is just norht of Scranton east of I-81 about 10 miles. There is the old Erie railway hotel (Starucca hotel?-you can google Starucca and it comes up) very impressive and simple, inexpensive but good meals during the later part of the week and weekend. Ask to tour the place. Big history not well known and not signed. When you cross the river you look right along the tracks and it is there 1/4 mile away. The viaduct is left about 2 miles. So a quick and impressive visit. About 10 miles west and just south off I-81 is the Tunkhannock or Nicholson viaduct. About twice as big and again, a wonder of the world. # great architectural structures that still have active rail lines within 20 minutes of each other. Then there is Steamtown....Enjoy! John
Sorry for the late response to this - I put one togther last week, but it now appears to have gotten lost in 'cyber-space' in the meantime. So here's the reconstruction -
Too bad, mostly trout-oriented around here. But Andy says that in the Lehigh River itself, there's also smallmouth, catfish, pike, muskies, and shad - even a sturgeon once every couple of years. He's mostly a fly-fisherman, so no advice on that part.
He says he knows where the Triple XXX Drive-In is, but never ate there - something about a burger called a 'Horton' [Q ]that's slathered with peanut butter and ketchup not being very appetizing . . .
I'll see if I can retrieve and post some of the websites that I had listed before.
Lehigh River Stocking Association - http://www.lrsa.org/
Bethlehem parks - http://www.bethlehem.info/recreation/parks/ - esp.
- Sand Island where the Monocacy Creek joins the Lehigh River, there's a decent restaurant in the old CNJ station - the 'Main Street Depot Restaurant' at - http://www.mainstreetdepotrestaurant.com/ , the NS Lehigh Line and interchange with LVRM is right across the river, and the eastern entrance to the Allentown Yard crosses the river and runs through the park;
- Illick's Mill Park and Johnston Park, both of which are also on the Monocacy Creek, and - better yet - the NS Cement Secondary runs through or next to both of them - 2 trains a day, one of which - the NB one - is usually going by between 9 AM and 11 AM;
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's 'Northampton County Guide' - http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/county/nortn.htm
On-Line Maps - appears that you can select for species, at - http://www.fish.state.pa.us/gis.htm
Southeast Region Fishing Report - http://www.fish.state.pa.us/splsero.htm
Monocacy Creek Reports -
http://www.flyfishingnotes.com/2009/04/16/fly-fishing-report-monocacy-creek/ http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/monocacycreek.html
Monocacy Creek Watershed Association - http://www.pipeline.com/~rlfreed/monoc.htm
Little Lehigh [Creek] Fly Shop - http://www.littlelehighflyshop.com/Default.aspx
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