After exiting the New Portage Tunnel, loaded eastbound coal drag NS 590 sits stopped with the head end just past the old SF duck under. 590 is in emergency, having had a separation 69 cars back as it began its decent over 'The Slide,' a steep, one-and-a-half mile grade from CP AR to what was once (under Conrail) CP Benny at Bennington Curve.
While trying to get the train back together (the back portion being 9000 tons and on the other side of the summit), westbound intermodal 25V entered the Allegheny Tunnel. On the rear end were the new kings of the mountain: a pair of SD70ACU in helper service. As 590's SD40E helpers couldn't shove the train over the top alone, the ACU set would cut away at CP MO (Cresson) and come back to help 590 down the hill.
