MILEPOST = PD 31.4
ACCESSIBILITY = SOMEWHAT EASY (GRAVEL ROADS)
AMENITIES = NONE
PHOTO ANGLES = LIMITED
A CONRAIL C40-8W LEADS 24M EAST ON AN OVERCAST SUMMER MORNING
1:01 - 3.0MB
13N WITH A LARGE CUT OF MIXED FREIGHT IN ADDITION TO THE AUTO
TRAFFIC 3:35 - 12.9MB
For the flower fan (i.e. your wives!!) Shenk's Ferry is a must-see. The Shenk's Ferry Wildflower Preserve is home to about 73 different species of wildflowers. The location gets its name from the Shenk family, who used to operate a ferry across the Susquehanna. It's not recognized on the NS timetable, however CP HARBOR is visible to the north. To reach the tracks, follow River Road south from Safe Harbor. Make the second right onto Shenk's Ferry Road. Follow Shenk's Ferry Road to the "T", which is Green Hill Rd. Turn left and follow this down to the tracks. This road is gravel, and can be extremely rough, especially after heavy rains or snow. About halfway down you will go under a tunnel. The tunnel goes through a large fill that carries the abandoned A&S Branch overhead (same line that goes over the upper bridge at Safe Harbor).
The access to the tracks here doesn't have a whole lot in the way of photo angles. the CP HARBOR westbound signal is visible at the end of the tangent, You'll need a good zoom to get it (or a walk!). Around the corner to the south is a bit of a clearing along the tracks. The rocks are graffiti-covered, so I'm sure this is a party spot. There is an s-curve here, which makes for some pretty cool views.
