MILEPOST
= PD 25.0
ACCESSIBILITY = MOSTLY EASY (A FEW REQUIRE HIKE)
AMENITIES = CAMPING ONLY, FOOD & GAS LOCATED AT BUCK (JCT. OF
RT.272 & 372)
PHOTO ANGLES = VARIED
Train 593 westbound passing the Holtwood Hydroelectirc Plant. The old coal furnace was located directly behind the lead locomotive; a 691 empty coal train as viewed from atop the Norman Wood Bridge; train 36A viewed from atop Pinnacle Overlook.
LOADED COAL TRAIN 590
PASSES THE
HOLTWOOD HYDROELECTRIC PLANT 1:22 - 4.98MB
aN NRHS EXCURSION FROM BALTIMORE HEADS WEST BEHIND THE PENNSY
E8'S 1:13 - 3.99MB
cONRAIL POWER LEADS 34A OVER THE INTERESTING TUNNEL AT WISSLER RUN
1:41 - 5.99MB
691 HEADS WEST UNDER THE NORMAN WOOD BRIDGE (PIC ABOVE) 1:51 - 6.00MB
12N PASSES
WISSLER RUN ON A
SUNDAY MORNING (PIC BELOW) 1:08 - 4.0MB
Holtwood and the surrounding area has a couple of great photo spots, as well as a few great recreational areas. Holtwood is probably best known for the Holtwood Dam, which is currently only a hydro-electric power plant. At one time there was also a coal-fired furnace, which was demolished in 1999. Another attraction here are the bald eagles that traditionally have nested in the area. HOLTWOOD is located right at the power plant. To get to the plant (from the north), follow River Road into Holtwood and turn right onto Holtwood Road. Follow Holtwood road all the way down the hill until you see the tracks. You cannot cross the tracks (guard shack), but you can park in the lot on the left, which is for a fishing area. You will notice a small MOW office here, as well as some classic PRR signals. There are two tracks here, one of which is a siding. Railfanning close to power plants in the post 9/11 era has been an iffy thing, however I have not had problems here. I have spent a few late nights here, and not once has anyone came out to ask what I was doing (not saying it won't happen, though). Anyway, the view from the parking lot looking north is a great view for eastbounds, and you can easily frame the train with the PRR signal bridge. If you walk south towards the fishing area, you will walk down some wooden steps and cross the tracks (a legal place to walk across!) There is a good view here for westbounds. For a slightly elevated view, walk (or drive) to the gated lot above the power plant's parking lot. There are a few more obstructions in this shot, but for video it's pretty cool.
The first photo shows 12N passing Wissler Run. This
shot
was taken from the Wissler Run Overlook located within
Susquehannock State Park. The second shot is 36A passing over
the tunnel that leads to the Wissler Run park.
There are three very scenic overlooks
for those
who prefer higher shots. The first is Pinnacle Overlook. The
overlook is accessed by turning right onto Pinnacle Road from River
Road (this is before you get to Holtwood, there are signs along to
road to help you out). Follow Pinnacle Road all the way to
the end, which is the parking area for the overlook. This is
a fantastic view of the river, however you will not be able to see
the tracks from here....no worries, you will see a trail in the
woods headed north from the overlook. If you walk this
direction, you will come to a rock outcropping which, if you go all
the way out, will provide a distant view of the tracks (better have
a good zoom lens!!). It is single track here, with MCCALLS
out of view directly beneath you. MCCALLS is the start of the
siding that passes the power plant.The next view is easy to get to; it's on the Norman Wood Bridge (Rt. 372). A few people have committed suicide off of this bridge, so you may not want to stand on this bridge for an extended period of time!
The final overhead view is accessed via a trail in Susquehannock State Park. To get to the park, follow 372 east towards Quarryville. Turn left at Susquehannock Drive (there is a sign along the road to help point it out). Follow this road and then turn left again onto State Park Road. At the park, follow "Overlook Trail" about a 1/2 mile to Wissler Run Overlook. This is a great view of eastbounds, if you can get the sun right (pretty rare).
There's one more track level location, and it's right below the Wissler Run Overlook. To get to it from the Norman Wood Bridge, follow 372 east and make the first right onto River Road. This road skirts the south end of Muddy Run Reservoir. After you pass Muddy Run, you will see a sign for Wissler Run on the right. Turn right onto this road and follow it down to the tracks. The road crosses under the tracks through an interesting tunnel and enters a small park along the river. You can park here and shoot up at the tracks (and get the cool underpass!) or you can turn left right after you go under the tracks. There is a gravel road (pretty rough) that goes up to track level.
