EBT, Altoona trip

[doctorwayne]

If you go to the link on Page 1 of this thread, you'll see the activities available, which should give you an idea of what's of most interest to you.
Before I realised that I wouldn't be able to attend, my plan was to arrive on the 7th, in order to take in the shop tour. For me, it's about a 6 1/2 hour drive, and I would have probably stayed until Monday. However, even at that time, most accommodations were already booked-up.

I'm guessing that it will be pretty busy, and if my previous visits are any indication, there's not a lot of supervision - there may be more for this event, but generally you can wander around wherever you want. Be safe! There are lots of opportunities to get hurt and a lot of the folks visiting haven't a clue about safety around railroads.

A few tips: wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting dirty - steam locomotives and their surroundings are not especially clean. Safety boots are a good choice if you have them - the roundhouse floor is..., well, here are a couple of pictures I shot on my last visit. The roundhouse was closed to visitors, but a walk around the back found several windows where the security screen had been partially pulled aside. I stuck my camera into the gap and shot a few views.
This shot is from the turntable side, through the door:








Watch out for the trains - there may be more than one moving at any time. Follow the railroaders' first safety rule:
"Expect a train at any time, on any track, and in any direction."

When crossing tracks, step over the rail, not on it - it's very easy to slip, especially on recently-used rail.

When crossing tracks on which equipment is parked, don't cross too close to that equipment - leave at least 10' between yourself and something that could potentially move at any time (see rule #1).

Don't climb on the equipment unless invited to do so.

Try to be respectful of others, even though many of them will be in the way when you're trying to get a picture.

You may be able to escape the crowds by wandering to where there's less activity but still interesting stuff to see, although that will depend on how well regulated this event is.
If you follow Route 522 towards Mount Union, there's a red/brown barn on your left, about two miles out of Orbisonia. There's a large gravel lot there, and a closed sideroad running to the left. I parked there, then hiked about a quarter mile down the road to this EBT bridge:


Beyond this, as you can see, the road jogs to the left, then turns right to cross a truss bridge - I didn't have time to investigate it, though, as the train was nearing.
I got this shot of the approaching train:


...and this DOH! view of part of the loco.


I hope all of our attending Members enjoy this treasure as much as do I.

Wayne