Drawing of the Day February 9, 2016-Norfolk Southern SD70ACU 7319

I just drew newly rebuilt Norfolk Southern Corp SD70ACU 7319. SD70ACU 7319 was rebuilt from former Union Pacific SD9043AC 8247 at the Altoona Works.

Watching Conrail While Living in Altoona

It was always fun to watch trains while in Altoona.  When I took a break from drawing, often we would go down by the railroad museum and watch Conrail go by.
Westbounds were just preparing to climb the Horseshoe Curve, and eastbounds prepared to cut their helpers off.  After a few hours, I was ready to go back into the studio and draw again.

Drawing Trains On Rainy Days in Altoona

While living in Altoona, Pennsylvania, I loved rainy days where I could sit inside and draw.  The stormy skies reminded me so much of the gray days I saw in my book on the Pennsylvania Railroad by Don Ball, Jr.

As the storms would lift, it was fun to sit and watch Conrail on a sunny day that followed.  Many of my drawings from that era were inspired in such a way.

Conrail-A Railroad That Truly Lives in Our Hearts

Conrail is truly a railroad that lives in our hearts.  Conrail served the mining, manufacturing and industries throughout the  Northeast, Midwest and New England.  Conrail is deeply loved by its employees and fans.
I briefly lived in Altoona, Pennsylvania during the Conrail era.  I remember watching Conrail's "Big Blue" as it rolled by, ready to conquer the Horseshoe Curve.
Conrail truly was a story of triumph.  It was a story of people and management working together to weave a handful of struggling railroads into the success story that it became.  Conrail will always live in our hearts.

Altoona, Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Railroad

In the mid-1990s, I called Altoona, Pennsylvania home as I studied the Pennsylvania Railroad and the railroads of the Northeast. I had read about Altoona in Don Ball, Jr's book about the Pennsylvania railroad and wanted to experience firsthand this key city that had been home to the Juniata Shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

I lived in Altoona during the era of Conrail.  Very quickly I became familiarized with the surrounding communities such as Hollidaysburg which housed the car shops which were still vital to Conrail.  I saw firsthand what a feat it was to cross the Alleghany Mountains at the famous Horseshoe Curve.

I saw in Altoona's architecture and industry the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  Altoona's great rail access makes it home to many well-loved small and mid-sized companies such Boyer Candies and Benzel's Pretzels.