A North Sided Hey Now!
Wednesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After passing through the California Kirkbride neighborhood and visting the Sunday Street City Steps, one made his way towards a rail yard. This one belongs to Norfolk Southern, and I’m told that it’s called the ‘Island Avenue Yard.’
Historicpittsburgh.org offers this text describing the place as ‘one of the primary junctions of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. It connects lines west into Ohio, south into West Virginia and Maryland, north into Erie, and east towards Philadelphia and New York.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
From ‘up top’ on that vehicular bridge spanning the tracks which is pictured above, I spotted what looked like a great POV for photographing passing trains ‘down here’ and then made my way over to this spot. I had to crash through some brush and agglutinated litter, but I managed to get to that fenceline just in time.
Hey Now!
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I’d end up seeing Norfolk Southern #7001 a couple of times over the next hour or so. I tried looking up its ‘specs,’ but it seems that 7001 has been rebuilt – at least once – and it used to part of an entirely different locomotive outfit and everything was super confusing. It made my neck hurt, so – thereby – look, it’s a train!
A fun conversation was struck up with some local who was walking an absolutely gorgeous pit bull. The local was tickled pink that I was taking shots of trains, and shared some neighborhood stories with me.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
NS #7001 was moving on, and then so did I. It’s a ‘walk,’ not a ‘stand’ after all.
I soon wandered into another neighborhood, called Manchester.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
My path involved getting over to the T light rail, a vector which carried me along a series of industrial streets with the occasional residential block mixed amongst them. Ultimately, this area sort of ‘cul de sacs’ nearby Allegheny Commons Park and the West End Bridge.
The park is where that rail trench that I often point the camera at is found.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Son of a gun if I didn’t run into #7001 there again, but this time around they had shed themselves of the cargo which they were formerly hauling. Just the locomotive.
I’ve been noticing, particularly in the last few weeks, that the rail guys are closely visually examining the tracks as the locomotive chugs along, as in the shot above. Any of you rail fan types have an inkling of what they’re likely up to? I’m kind of curious.
Back tomorrow with more.
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The locomotives are SD60E. I’m not sure what those guys are doing. That’s a local crew and operations can vary based off location. Down here in Gadsden, Al the local crews will use a caboose for long shoves. They could also just be taking a break.
BraydenTakesPhotos
April 30, 2026 at 8:50 am
I’ve noticed NS people doing this in multiple places in recent weeks, staring down at the tracks while the train advances quite slowly. I’m talking over a fairly large but regional geography as well – both West Virginia, and PA.
Btw, planning a day trip out to the Cresson Railfan Park pretty soon.
Mitch Waxman
April 30, 2026 at 8:53 am
Lots of derailments recently. May just be trying to make inspections while also getting something done as to not needlessly block the tracks. I believe Cresson is home to an RJ Corman operation.
BraydenTakesPhotos
April 30, 2026 at 8:56 am
All I can say at this point is that Cresson is a place that’s about an hour and change drive from my house, and that there’s some sort of seating area at a junction where it’s kosher to photo trains. I’m in. I’ll pack a sandwich and make a day of it.
Mitch Waxman
April 30, 2026 at 8:57 am
60+ trains a day, a locomotive servicing area, and a crossing/interchange between RJCP and NS. The area is also a major hub for helpers so you’ll see a lot of pairs of SD70ACu. Good luck!
BraydenTakesPhotos
April 30, 2026 at 9:00 am