Busy days/times over Horseshoe Curve and Sand Patch ?

[owlsroost]

I'm currently thinking about a week long railfan trip to MD and PA area in mid-October.

I'd like to get an idea of when the busiest/quietest days and times are on the NS and CSX main lines, so that I can plan out an itinerary.

All input gratefully received [:)]

Tony

[Modelcar]

...I believe there used to be a web site on here that listed the activity on Horseshoe in Pennsylvania....I'm sure someone on here with that info will come on and advise.....I'd bet it won't take long....

[bbrant]

NS always seems to be busy over Horseshoe. As far as CSX over Sand Patch.....I was told once by an employee that Monday and Tuesday are the slowest and the busiest was the latter part of the week.

Hope that helps.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

The busiest times for CSX over Sand Patch are Thursdays thru Saturdays although Sand Patch can occassionally be busy on Sunday. On the other hand, Norfolk Southern Horseshoe Curve-Gallitzin-South Fork can be busy from Thursday thru Sunday.

Even though both railroads will be busy there may lulls in traffic, and in my expeience they seem to occur in the early afternoon. Horseshoe Curve will be busier than CSX over Sand Patch, and a favorite saying of railfans here is a bad day day on Norfolk Southern is a good day on CSX.

[Modelcar]

....Yes, I remember some quiet times right after lunch, early aftternoon on Horseshoe. But it's been a few years since I've visited and didn't know current schedules. Understand tree trimming has increased the visiblitiy from up at trackside at Horseshoe now too making for a better visit.

[owlsroost]

OK guys, thanks very much for the info - I'd found various web sites with guides on where to go, but nothing on when were the best times.

Tony

[dwil89]

Horsehoe Curve on NS is generally busier toward the 2nd half of the week and on the weekends....This past Sunday was quite busy....Traffic can tend to bunch up however, meaning a couple of hour lull, and then a flood of trains...Trackwork or a derailment can foul this up, but NS is running more trains around Horseshoe in general than Conrail did in 1995...averages 60 plus a day, not including light helper movements....I was out there for 5 days late last week into the weekend, and from Thursday through Sunday, traffic was quite good. With the Christmas season approaching, traffic during 4th quarter of this year should be quite good. Dave Williams @ [e-mail]

[dwil89]

QUOTE: Originally posted by owlsroost

OK guys, thanks very much for the info - I'd found various web sites with guides on where to go, but nothing on when were the best times.

Tony

Tony...check out the link next to my signature at the bottom of this post...it is a discussion group specifically on the area you are visiting..might help you out....

[owlsroost]

David....Thanks for the link and the other info.

Tony