Nickel Plate 765 May 18, 2013

My family and I were there also to see the NKP.  I was more than alittle upset at the $20 per person price.  I understand they have to bring money in to keep the place going but tripling the normal price was IMO excessive.  Later we found out we could get a yearly pass for what we had already paid so that made it alittle better.  For us its less than a 2 hour drive so we will get our moneys worth.  The problem is if you live farther away it doesn't help much that you could get the yearly pass.  On to better things the NKP was unbelievable seeing and listening to that baby going around the curve.  WOW is all I can say. 

I just got home from todays trip. Even had a little wheel slip that was corrected as quick as it happened. Nice to see it back. Not to many at the curve today , My dad who is 74 was as excited as I have ever seen him, Well worth the 20 bucks that I am sure will go to good use.

"Assuming" the FWRHS sees at least some of the money you spent its well worth it.

Yes,at first consideration it seems like alot of money to watch a train go by. IMO, given the thousands of volunteer hours that have gone into restoring,rebuilding, maintaining, and operating 765 a couple $20's isn't too much to ask.

Rich and others can clarify, but I don't think anybody on the crew sees a dime for themselves,keeping that locomotive operating is no small task, and they do it because they want to.

I believe it is same price as last year.

the fwrhs likely doesnt see any of the money  "the curve" takes in for admission. the 765 expenses are paid by N.S. for use of pulling their train. whether the admission fees are put to good use would warrent its own topic.maybe they can get the trees andbrush cleared away  from the curve view.....like it should be.-jim

From the amount of people there today maybe they will drop it a little. Of course it may have been packed Saturday.

$20 is gouging.  But it's their playground.  Pay to play! 

What a nice way to spend your Birthday!!! Happy Birthday Mike !!! 

The 765 crew does not get any of the money collected at the Horseshoe Curve visitors center.

On Sunday afternoon FWRHS PR guy and 765 fireman Kelly Lynch and I chose to go to the curve to see the 765 go by. Even though we were in uniform and I specifially asked if the $20 fee also applied to locomotive crew, it still cost us $20 each for the privilege. The negative word-of-mouth from this bad business decision will do more harm to the museum than the benefit derived from the meager extra dollars they collected this weekend.

Rats , I missed you. Now that Rich takes the cake. Next time ill hang over a bridge and watch.

What a sad story.

>>Special Event Day the charge is $20.00 PER PERSON!

There's a term for that.  It 's called SCALPING!

One of the other reasons for small crowds at the curve is because it is not a very good photo location any more. Mother Nature has continued her relentless growth of the trees and foliage in the area, with the  result that you really can't SEE the trains there very well any more. There is a good viewing angle of perhaps 90 to 110 degrees at the apex of the curve. Many years ago, before the growth of the foliage, the viewing angle exceeded 220 degrees.

Today the really GOOD spot for photos is just west of the curve, on the hillside north of the tracks. This seems to be where the "serious" photographers are going. While there is no charge to shoot here, it requires quite a hike to get in there. You get a really nice view of the curve from here, as you can see in this well-done video by OGR Forum Member Dave Slie.

By the way, the lifting of the first pop valve (there are three) as she went around the curve was done on purpose. Engineer Gary Bensman and Fireman Steve Winicker planned to do this. You'll notice that Steve hazed up the stack a little (made some smoke) as the engine first comes into sight. And a few seconds later the additional heat from the extra coal he put in the firebox does its job and lifts the first pop valve.

Nicely done.

Was that shot on an iPhone?

Isn't it interesting that the Altoona Railroader's Museum charges a MUCH higher rate to "view" at the curve, JUST because the 765 is in town. Yet, not a single dollar is donated to the FWRHS for all THEIR efforts!

Obviously I will NEVER visit THEM!

Hey Rich, that’s a great video! The 765 was really getting the job done, the crew had her rung up!

Was the heritage unit helping at all. From my uneducated ear it sounded like it was off idle?

they were using the diesel both days.  765 wouldn't be able to maintain that speed with that train on the grade without help.  Obviously, 765 was still putting on a good show even with the help.

That hike isn't for the faint of heart, and it's very limited in the amount of people you can fit in there, but it IS a very nice view.  It's a much more difficult hike if you can't find the trail and go up the opposite slope up to the access road, and then have to hike the remainder along the edge of the ballast as I did the other day.  I did it and survived, but I wouldn't suggest anyone trying that way!  Just be sure to be there way ahead of time and wear some sturdy hiking shoes.

Must say the dreary and misty weather on Sunday was just about perfect for photography there much moreso than the intermittent sun on Saturday.  Just something about wet weather and steam that makes for some great shots.

Kevin