So many freight trains, so little time! April 23, 2023 brought a rare opportunity to catch three Reading & Northern freight trains running in a time span of about 35 minutes.
I started in the Tamaqua rail yard where the NRFF came through on its regular schedule. 73 cars pulled by 5014, 5019, 5018, 3069, and 3052.
Minutes later QAPE, a frac sand train bound for Penobscot, left the yard. 50 cars pulled by 3055, 3057, 3053, and 3058.
Meanwhile, SDQA was waiting at East Mahanoy Junction for the NRFF and QAPE to pass northbound along the mainline. Afterwards it continued its southbound trip from Shenandoah to Tamaqua. 7 cars pulled by 3051 and 3059.
My final catch of the QAPE was in Lehigh Gorge just north of the Glen Onoko rock cut. Fellow YouTubers @LRSX and @ULRailfan were at Hetchel's curve. Be sure to check out their videos as well, since they were there in time to catch both the NRFF and QAPE through the gorge.
Chasing trains and building models is hard work! You can help me refuel and support my adventures by buying me a coffee!
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