PRR 8655, AS-18AM, 1961

4th Street. Here is an original photo that I took in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in January of 1961. Shown here (L to R) are Pennsylvania Railroad engines #8655, #8676, and #8661. All are AS-18AM's built by the American Locomotive Company and rated at 1,800 horsepower each. #8655 was built in December of 1957, #8676 in March of 1958, and #8661 in January of 1958. In this context, they're serving as tail end pushers on a mixed-cargo freight train that's passing under the 4th Street Footbridge on its way up the Allegheny Mountains to Gallitzin, where they'll be uncoupled and returned to East Altoona for further assignment. Visible on the left are numerous passenger cars marshalled for reconditioning in the PRR's Passenger Car Shops behind them. ("Red Shift" slide converted to Black & White.)