Towns and Nature: Duncansville, PA: WYE Junction Tower: Pennsy vs. Pennsy and Everett Railroad

Jackson-Township historical preservation posted

Here is an original photo that I took of a Pennsylvania Railroad train at the Wye Switches in Duncansville, Blair County on October 5, 1964. Shown here (L to R) are PRR engines #2511, #9546-B, and #9686. These locomotives, two freight cars, a caboose, and three helper engines have just arrived from Altoona and are now backing into the Hollidaysburg Yards as they pass WYE Tower.

(Photo from Thomas C. Ayers)

Jackson-Township historical preservation posted

Here is an original photo that I took of Pennsylvania Railroad property at the Wye Switches in Duncansville, Blair County on July 28, 1960. Shown here is the PRR's WYE Tower. The men who worked here controlled rail traffic on several branch lines: Hollidaysburg to Altoona, Hollidaysburg to Bedford, Hollidaysburg to Petersburg, plus Hollidaysburg to Gallitzin via the New Portage Branch and the Muleshoe Curve. Also visible is the railhead facing West, toward Duncansville and the Allegheny Mountains in the hazy distance. From 1834 until 1854, this was the right-of-way for the Allegheny Portage Railroad. And from 1850 until 1854, this location was known as "New Portage Junction" since it was the eastern junction of the New Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad (coming from Altoona).

(Photo from Thomas C. Ayers)

My first thought was the building in the north point of the wye. But that was not consistent with the photo. Then I found the building by the junction with the east leg.