Train Spotting

[jsmvmd]

Thanks, Jeff for the info. 

I will take my dear old Mother down there Sunday and watch a few choo choo's!  She now resides in Elizabeth at a nursing home, so I get out there several time a month.  I saw a few switchers working under the Boston bridge a month ago.  Where does that line go?

Best Wishes,

Jack

[Guilford Guy]

Most cars painted today do not get much of an advertising gimmick on them. A lot of cars from car pooling companies, and cars sold surplus from other railroads, are just given a patch (paint over the old reporting marks and put the new railroads ones where the original ones were), or a dip job and new reporting marks. Finger Lakes Railway is notorious for doing this.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/Guilford_Guy/Weathering/IMG_3147.jpg
If you ever catch a Pan Am car out there, they look pretty spiffy and new.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd264/Guilford_Guy/Guilford/IMG_0918.jpg

[OkieRick]

The rolling stock on the shortline RR, SKOL, ( http://www.watcocompanies.com/railroads.htm ) that runs by my house is a dukes mixture of line names each proudly tagged with it's own distinct graffiti. 


Rick

[jward]

switchers? under the boston bridge? you have got me there. that line is the old b&o mainline to cumberland, md. the one that goes over sand patch mountain. maybe they were working on the track, they've been doing that alot lately on csx.

[jsmvmd]

Dear Jeff,

Was down there Sunday afternoon under the Boston Bridge.   Two CSX trains came through.  The first was a consist of tankers, all CSX.  The second was container cargo.  Both were double headed.

Crossed the Duquesne Bridge and saw what you meant about the locos and rolling stock.

Thanks a million!

Did not know that Jim's was still doing business in W. Mifflin.  Had a few dogs with me Mum.  The last time I was there was 40 years ago.

Best Wishes,

Jack

[jward]

jim's in west mifflin, and johnnie's in west elizabeth are both still going strong. it is great to eat at these places, which were around long before mcdonalds. that's one of the great things about pittsburgh, no matter how many big boys move in. we still will go to the little guy.....

did you happen to see the c&o caboose under the duquesne bridge? it might be the only one left in c&o paint.

[jsmvmd]

Dear Jeff,

Was driving too fast to get a gander.  How do I get down there to get a closer look?

This link listed the CSX depot in Donora:

http://pittsburgh-pa.yellowusa.com/Railroads.html

CSX
339 13th St
Donora,PA 15033
19.3MI from Pittsburgh
(724) 938-2817

Perhaps trains originate there?  Regardless, it is good to hear the rumble of the diesel engines and wheel-on-rail.

Another aside, a local fisherman told me he caught a chain pickerel, a beautiful two footer that cooked up real nice!

Best Wishes,

Jack

[jward]

that yard under the duquesne bridge is demmler, csx's base of operations in the pittsburgh area. locals originate there that go as far up river as newell, and as far west as neville island.

to get there, coming from downtown mckeesport, go straight past the ramp to the duquesne bridge. there is a red light under the ramp, turn left there and follow that road back to the tracks. be careful, they use remote controlled locomotives and the operator may or may not be onboard.

usually anywhere from 3 to 10 locomotives there, and 4 or 5 cabooses, most in csx paint.

[jsmvmd]

Dear Jeff,

Thanks!  I'll have a kraut-dog in your honor!

Best Wishses,

Jack

[ebtnut]

Coming back from M-port last Sunday I stopped in at Connellsville to see what might be moving on CSX.  I just caught a Wheeling & Lake Erie train coming in.  It had a Geep (maybe GP-40's) on either end, separated by about 6 steel coil cars.  The lead unit was still in pretty fresh Rio Grande paint.  The other in a blue and black scheme that looked like an old lease unit.  Soon thereafter an eastbound CSX train rolled through.  It's kind of tough to railfan the stretch of CSX east of Boston.  There are only a few spots where any roads go down to the tracks.  Unfortunately, the bike trail on the old P&LE R-O-W is on the other side of the river. 

[jsmvmd]

Dear Friends,

Recently scoped out the Pine Creek Trail area near Wellsboro, PA, home of the PA Grand Canyon, for a July Boy Scout trip. 

http://www.gis.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/oneTrail.aspx?name=Pine+Creek+Trail&RegID=2

In several areas there is trackage along Pine Creek and the bike trail.  Perhaps it belong to the Tioga Central RR.

http://www.tiogacentral.com/

There are multiple access areas, right along the road in at least 30-50 spots along the 50 miles of maintained bike trail.  There should be great viewing if any of you get up to see the PA Grand Canyon.  I am not sure if it is for excursion or freight.  Does anyone know?

Too, whilst looking up the Tioga Central RR, I found this nice link of Pennsylvania short lines.  Several are from my home area of western PA.

http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr819.htm

Hope you enjoy the links.  Any comments are appreciated.

Best Wishes,

Jack