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East Slope Descent
As this loaded coal train descends the summit at Gallitzin, it’s efforts at fighting gravity are displayed in a heavy layer of engine exhaust smoke and car brake dust. There are two sets of locomotives on this train, one at the front and another on the rear and heat exhaust from their dynamic brakes is thrown high into the valley. Enhancing the effort at controlling the train speed are the brakes on each coal car and these are already growing hot and releasing spent brake dust even though the train is less than three miles into the eleven mile downhill grade to Altoona.
