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As expected, the return of steam to the Narrow Gauge of the East brough out railfans in the hundreds--trains for the Winter Spectacular either sold out or were near capacity, and I'd wager around 200 people converged on the Long Fill and Runk Road overpass. But only four elected to shoot the morning frieght run through the open barn doors.

After being held between Conway and Leetsdale for nearly two hours after its 04:45 departure, Office Car Special 950 put the hammer down heading east to Harrisburg to drop off executives, turn around, and return to Altoona (as 951). Coming into the PT 225 automatics at Tipton, the train was putting off the familiar white smoke (and smell) of hitting the brakes for a reduction and to allow Amtrak a run-around at GRAY.

The first thick blanket of snow has fallen on the Altoona area, and NS is as busy as ever with extra intermodal traffic ahead of the holidays. This place never disappoints, and there isn't really a better way to appreciate it than from the air.