PRR in 2021: AR Tower

PRR in 2021 Episode IV: AR Tower
Come on a tour of AR Tower, located in Gallitzin, PA a few miles west of the Horseshoe Curve. AR (Allegheny Ridge) Tower was built in the mid 40s by the Pennsylvania Railroad. It was put out of service by Conrail in the 90s. Currently it sits abandoned as it awaits wrecking ball.
If you have any suggestions of other locations I should visit in my PRR in 2021 series, let me know in the comments! I'm trying to film as much as I can of what remains of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Filmed 3/21/21
Also check out my Instagram @pennsylvania_rails

[@gonebamboo4116]

Thank you so much for a final glimpse of these monuments of productivity.

[@Stover1928]

Wonderful video. Thank you

[@anthstrains2548]

Awesome video! I’m glad there is finally a video of it being displayed up close.

[@christopherkratz7104]

What I wouldn't do to see this tower in action during PRR's heyday

[@thatclintguy]

equipment at 9:00 >> looks to be a rotary converter. AC motor drives a DC generator. Nowadays, its done with solid state power supplies, but back then, it was the easiest way to make DC for the signaling systems.

[@DanM19929]

Thank you for sharing that! That's good information, I was hoping somebody would know!

[@RollerCoasterLineProductions]

Fantastic video! Always wondered what it looked like in there, thx for posting!

[@DanM19929]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gonebamboo4116]

@@DanM19929 I really do. I wonder if you consider adding a quick shot of the location on a map. I studied the whole system back in the 90s but getting a little fuzzy now here in SE Asia.

[@gkm072159]

Used to sleep on the switch box when I would go with father on his third shift. Other towers, MO, SO NY, SG and C.

[@bobkruleski7630]

Thanks for the up close look. I've only seen it from the bridge at Tunnelhill.

[@berthasitumorang9982]

Keep up the good work for us folks out of reach

[@tbs10916301]

out of reach, you people are OUT OF TOUCH!

[@tbs10916301]

he is not going nowhere but back into the presidency in 2024.

[@ericzerkle8486]

Sorta like the one in Bradford, Ohio.

[@berthasitumorang9982]

The line behind the tower, on the north side, anyone know where it goes or what it was for?

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

5:57 - that is the connecting track that joins Number 2 and Number 3 track at UN just west of Gallitzin Tunnel.

[@b3j8]

They should have kept AR, or Alto open as the very last of the last towers. It wouldn't have hurt NS abit to give that little nod to history.

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Conrail was the one who closed AR in 1995. I heard part of what doomed Alto was that trains were getting too long to attach helpers there. In any event, NS wanted to cut a few jobs.

[@b3j8]

@@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont Ok thanks. Anyway it's too bad both Conpanies had more interest in Shareholder return than a small nod to history. Wouldn't hurt them one bit.

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

@@b3j8 I could understand (if not like) why towers were closed in favor of CTC out on the mainline. What never made sense to me was why "terminal" towers such as ALTO were closed in favor of a remote dispatcher. And I am sure the Allegheny Dispatcher has plenty to do without letting a yard engine get through WORKS or HOMER for the tenth time this shift. It all comes down to job cuts.

[@b3j8]

@@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont Yep, just to save a buck. However I believe we may see things change here more in favor of the shipper than Wall Street in the near future. Time will tell I guess.

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

@@b3j8 Perhaps a little late, but I should point out that every tower required a minimum of five operators to staff it: First Trick, Second Trick, Third Trick, Relief Operator (covered the others' days off except for usually one of the Third Trick shifts) and at least one Extra Operator to cover that one shift plus other vacation and sick days. Most boards back in the day had multiple extra operators to work around the division to keep things covered. It gets a little more involved than just saving a buck.

[@daniko4447]

3:40 lol

[@stewweimer6615]

That is a good view from the second floor. A lot of railroad history going to ruin

[@DanM19929]

It is sad to see it in that condition. Unfortunately it will soon be demolished.