The Altoona Northern

One of the things that I love about research on the web is tripping over stuff you can actually use, but weren't looking for. The other day I was looking up some insurance maps that contain information about structures and other details of Altoona, Pennsyvania. I was searching using a number of different phrases and came across a Wikipedia page on the Altoona and Beech Creek Railroad. The little railroad started in 1890 as a narrow gauge line to connect Altoona to a newly built resort called Wopsononock. It went through several re-organizations and incarnations to become the Altoona Northern. I found a ton of information that I did not find when I had searched under the specific term "Altoona Northern" about a year or so ago.

Altoona Northern Railroad

Aside from the actual route and history of the little line I found information and pictures of the equipment used by the railroad. Almost all of the locomotives were narrow gauge Moguls (2-6-0) types. In 1916 the track gauge was widened to standard gauge (4'-8 1/2"), This of course meant a new set of locomotives had to be obtained. These steam engines were purchased from the Pennsylvania and were also 2-6-0 types". In Pennsy terms that means class F.

The F class is probably one of the least noted classes on the Pennsy. The typical reference to the the 2-6-0 wheel arrangement is when describing the class FF1 electric locomotives. These engines were 2-C-0+0-C-2 wheel arrangement. Diesels and electric locomotive wheel arrangements are described by letters rather than numbers. "C" is the equivalent of "6". For the class F steam locomotives, however, there is not a lot of information other then acknowledging that the class existed.

PRR Class F3c #5099

The three F class steamers didn't last very long on the "Wopsy" (as the locals  referred to it). Narrow gauge railroads are often built with steep grades and tight curves. Widening the gauge doesn't necessarily improve the right of way. I'm assuming the PRR engines were much larger and heavier than their narrow gauge predecessors and did not perform well in such an environment. They were replaced by Heisler geared locomotives that were better suited to the rough, winding and steep right of way.

From a modelers point of view this offers a host of opportunities. On the Allegheny Eastern layout I could overlook the actual history of the real Altoona Northern and use any one of a number of scenarios. A) The narrow gauge line survived intact into the early 1950's. B) The standard gauge line survived into the early 1950's. C) The standard gauge line survived and became part of the New York Central as planned in 1919.

Option "A" offers a chance to include narrow gauge on the layout. It is tempting to model narrow gauge in Pennsylvania. There were hordes of them back at the turn of the Twentieth Century, but it seems only the East Broad Top is widely remembered (or modeled). Modeling something akin to the little lines that exploited Big Level would be unique. It all sounds pretty good, but this is N scale and narrow gauge means smaller equipment, almost like modeling in Z scale. I have trouble seeing what I'm doing now.

If I go with "B" the equipment will be standard N scale, but I can use older equipment like open end coaches. Other non-interchange equipment could be outdated too. I also get the opportunity to model the PRR class F steamers, albeit re-lettered for Altoona & Northern (Typically ANRR in white). I could also use this option and substitute Heislers as the motive power. "C" means there could be New York Central equipment on the layout. Nothing fancy, like Hudsons wearing Dreyfuss, just a GP7 or so in connecting line service. The NYC would be attempting to lure customers in the Altoona area, threatening the Pennsy's home turf as it were.

The option I'm actually considering is a variant on "B". I'm planning to model the Altoona & Northern and the Glen White connection at Horseshoe Curve as an empties in/loads out operation. The two railroads would actually use the same trackage. This offers even more possibilities with a Shay working the Glen White end and the Heislers or 2-6-0's working the A&N side. Once I see how the expansion project works out I'll look into these ideas a bit more seriously. Right now there's still a lot of plywood to cut.