The Train Scene
1Q2000 Volume 1 Number 1
Welcome to the first issue of “The Train Scene” a quarterly (for now) e-zine. We will feature pictures of railroad subjects that we found interesting. On occasion we may even editorialize on a subject.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.
Western Maryland at Hemstetter’s Curve
3.
U.S.
Mail’s Celebrate the Century
4.
CSX
and NS across the Mon River from Downtown Pittsburgh.
5.
Pat
Transit “T” Library Line.
6.
Phipp’s
Conservatory Garden Railroad.
Now sit back and enjoy our premiere issue. Click on the pictures to see a larger image.
Letters to the Editor Back to Bill Von Sennet’s Main
Page
Conemaugh River Bridges
The old Conemaugh River Bridge was
replaced by the high bridge when the Conemaugh Dam was being built.
These bridges are located on the Conemaugh Line of Norfolk Southern between Blairsville and Saltsburg PA.
After crossing the stone arch
bridge, trains entered the Bow Tunnel which eliminated a circuitous route.
Sign outside the tunnel.
This is the view across the stone
arch bridge from outside of Bow Tunnel.
Western Maryland at
Hemstetter’s Curve
It’s “Thunder in the Mountains” as the Western
Maryland Tourist Railroad smokes it up climbing past the Cash Valley Road
Crossing.
This was an unusually large consist and was filled with railfans
visiting Cumberland Marylands RailFest.
A pusher brings up the rear.
U.S. Mail’s Celebrate the Century
Amtrak provided a Genesis dressed up like a manilla
envelope complete with stamps and postmarks.
The Train made a guest appearance at Cumberland’s Railfest.
Several cars were fitted up with displays of how the
mail was handled by trains.
The last car was a private observation that hauled
railroad executives.
CSX and NS across the Mon River from Downtown
Pittsburgh.
Two BNSF units lead a CSX Coal Train west
at Milepost 0 of the former P & LE
The bridge piers were for the old Wabash Railroad.
A westbound NS on the former PRR Panhandle
Division passes beneath the Wabash tunnel portal. The tunnel was revamped in the 70’s for the “Skybus” project
which fizzled. Current plans call for a
busway to use it.
Westbound NS. The Panhandle west of McKees Rocks is abandoned, but Coal Trains
from the Mon Valley and Double Stacks from Pitcairn use it to reach the Fort
Wayne Line via the Bell Bridge.
A meet between East and West Bound CSX
trains at MP 0
The sunrise gives the Fort Pitt Bridge (I-279)
a warming glow in the 7 degree F. morning.
These pictures were taken from the comfort of a room
on the 14th floor of the Sheraton Station Square.
Port Authority of Allegheny County # 4108
passing through the Castle Shannon Station.
The view from behind the operators position
at the end of the line in Library.
The interior of 4143.
Southbound 4112 near Kings School Road in
Bethel Park PA
Southbound 4143 along Brigthwood Road in
Bethel Park.
The Library Line originally was the Charleroi Line, but it was cut back at Library PA in the late ‘40’s and replaced by Blue Ridge Coach Lines, then Greyhound, followed by Eighty Eight Transit and now serviced by Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority.
From the North the “T” originates as a subway beneath Gateway Center at Liberty & Stanwix, It follows beneath Liberty, then Sixth Ave the Steel Plaza station beneath Bigelow and Sixth. It then follows the PRR right of way across the Panhandle Bridge and enters the Mt Washington Transit Tunnel. From there it follows the old Mt Lebanon Street Car line through Beechview and Dormont and then becomes a subway to Mt Lebanon. From there to Castle Shannon it follows the right of way that was single tracked as a connector between Mt Lebanon and Castle Shannon Loops. From Castle Shannon it follows the original Library route past Washington Junction (where the majority of cars branch off to South Hills Village and the shops.) There are plans to extend the “T” underneath the Allegheny River to the new Steeler’s and Pirates Stadiums that are under construction.
Phipp’s Conservatory Garden Railroad.
A “G” scale Union Pacific crosses a
trestle
The freight and passengers train meet at
“Cripple Creek”
The Freight passes under a trestle.
A Shay logger enters a tunnel
A long view of the passenger train.
The Shay logger.
Phipp’s Conservatory is located east of Downtown Pittsburgh between Oakland and Schenley Park.
The display will be open through February.