In another insane stroke of luck, WNYP once again would run on a Saturday. On this one, they'd be bringing sand loads from Olean down to Emporium, then returning with empties.
00:10 Olean, NY Shops
We begin at the WNYP's shops in Olean, where CW46AHs 6000 and 6001 were fired up for the day ahead.
01:07 North Eldred, PA
After having its train collected, we begin the chase at North Eldred with one of two original PRR signal bridges that remain on the WNYP.
02:12 South Eldred, PA
We jump ahead to the south end of the siding at Eldred as OL-2 is now up to the 40mph maximum authorized speed.
02:46 Turtlepoint, PA
At Turtlepoint, the OL-2 breezes through town. To our back is the transloading facility that takes in sand as well as stone. A scene from the 2010 movie "Unstoppable" was filmed at this location.
03:29 Port Allegany, PA
After missing my opportunity in town, I pulled off just south of Port Allegany as OL-2 throttles out of town.
04:30 Wrights, PA
At Wrights, the OL-2 would be back up to track speed, and we were also lucky to get a full showing of the sun as well.
05:08 Liberty, PA
OL-2 rounds the curve in Liberty Township, nearing Keating Summit.
05:37 Keating Summit, PA
OL-2 is now down to less than 20mph as it approaches the crest of the grade at Keating Summit.
06:31 Gardeau, PA
At Gardeau on the downgrade, a little bit of a rain/snow mix had moved it as OL-2 glides down the hill as it gets ever so close to Emporium.
08:10 Sizer Run, PA
09:38 North of Emporium, PA
10:27 Emporium, PA
At Emporium, the crew would head to the south end of the siding and switch engines. They would work the facility from the north end, which gave us time to break for lunch before the return run to Olean.
12:04 Downey Hollow Road
At Downey Hollow Road, the first crossing north of Emporium, the OL-2 takes off as it begins the return trip to Olean.
13:11 Gardeau, PA
We would return to Gardeau for the northbound run, where the OL-2 would make easy work of the grade up to Keating Summit with a train of now empty sand hoppers.
14:27 Keating, PA
Just north of Keating Summit sit the former bridge abutments that carried the Potato Creek Railroad over the Pennsylvania. The PCRR connected to the Buffalo & Susquehanna not far from this location.
15:26 Port Allegany, PA
16:11 North Edlred, PA
We would end the day right where we started, as OL-2 races under the PRR cantilever once again at North Eldred.
Follow me on Instagram! @alexkolsteephotography
Follow me on Flickr! @alex_kolstee
Like us on Facebook! chqrails