| WYE Tower. Here is an original photo that I took of Pennsylvania Railroad property at the Wye Switches in Duncansville, Pennsylvania, on 28 July 1960. Shown here is the PRR's WYE Tower. The men who worked here controlled rail traffic on several lines: Hollidaysburg to Altoona, Hollidaysburg to Bedford, Hollidaysburg to Petersburg, plus Hollidaysburg to Gallitzin via the New Portage Branch Line. Approaching from Altoona is PRR engine #7923, an ES-12 built by EMD in November of 1957 and rated at 1,200 horsepower. With no cars in tow, it's on its way from the Altoona Yards to the Hollidaysburg Yards. Also visible is the railhead facing West, toward Duncansville and the Allegheny Mountains in the hazy distance. From 1834 until 1854, this was the right-of-way for the Allegheny Portage Railroad. And from 1850 until 1854, this location was known as "New Portage Junction" since it was the eastern junction of the New Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad (coming from Altoona to the right). |