Monongahela Railway
Encyclopedia
The Monongahela Railway was a coal
-hauling short line railroad in Pennsylvania
and West Virginia
in the United States
. It was jointly controlled originally by the Pennsylvania Railroad
, New York Central subsidiary Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
, with NYC and PRR later succeeded by Penn Central Transportation
. The company operated its own line until it was merged into Conrail on May 1, 1993.
The primary connection to both controlling systems was at Brownsville, Pennsylvania
- with the south end of the P&LE's Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Youghiogheny Railroad and with the PRR's ex-Brownsville Railway. The PRR also interchanged traffic at Hoover, Pennsylvania, the end of its Coal Lick Run Branch. The B&O Railroad interchanged at Leckrone, Pennsylvania, and Rivesville, West Virginia
.
The Monongahela Railroad was a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad
(PRR) and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
(P&LE), both of which had plans to extend their lines in the area. Each company appointed four of their members to the board of directors, who held their first meeting in January 1901. The newly formed Monongahela Railroad acquired many lines in the area from the PV&C as well as the Southwest Pennsylvania Railway Company, as well as the 19 mile (30 km) right of way from Brownsville to Adah from the PRR, for the sum of $519,696.13.
In 1905, the Dunlap Creek branch opened, which served several mines and coke works and also interchanged with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
. The last move on this line was on November 6, 1975. The track was removed, and the real estate disposed.
In 1909, the 4.2 mi (6.8 km) Rush Run branch was constructed, and a patch town (Sarah, Pennsylvania) was constructed to house the workers at what would have been a coal mine. It was later determined, however, that the coal did not belong to the mine developer, and the line was abandoned, the town was scrapped. Only four trains ever ran on this line, those carrying the ballast to complete the track.
In 1910, the federal government condemned the low-clearance covered bridge in Bridgeport (now South Brownsville), and the Monongahela Railroad bought the bridge company and removed the bridge. In the same year, they installed a 10-stall roundhouse in Bridgeport. This was to be the main yard for the railroad throughout its history of operations.
In 1911, the railroad served seven mines and fifty one coke works (with 34 coke works and 1 mine being on the Dunlap Creek Division) The daily rated output was 1,395 cars of coke and 280 cars of coal. In 1911-1912, the big push was the state line extension, to make a connection with the Buckhannon and Northern Railway (B&N). It involved a major river crossing, and two large creek crossings.
On July 1, 1915, the Monongahela Railroad consolidated with the Buckhannon and Northern Railway to form the Monongahela Railway Company (MRY), still under the control of the parent companies (PRR and P&LE).
In 1927 the Baltimore and Ohio railroad acquired 1/3 (1/6 from each the PRR and P&LE) of the capital stock of the Monongahela Railway, securing their interests in the coal producing area it served.
On January 1, 1930, the Ten Mile branch opened. This branch still serves several coal mines as of 2008.
On October 21, 1950, the Monongahela Railway discontinued passenger service.
On November 25, 1952, the Monongahela Railway ran its first Baldwin S-12
diesel locomotive. This marked the beginning of the end of their fleet of steam locomotive
s, the last one of which being used on May 26, 1954.
In June 1968, the Waynesburg Southern Railroad Company (organized in the interest of the PRR) opened a line from Waynesburg to Consolidated Coal Company's Blacksville No. 1 mine and Eastern Gas & Fuel Company's Federal No. 2 mine. This line is still in service as of 2007.
On May 1, 1993, the Monongahela Railway was merged into the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), later to be bought by Norfolk Southern
and CSX Transportation
. Eleven GE Class B23-7Rs (sometimes referred to as Super 7s) numbered 2300-2310 were renumbered 2030-2040 by Conrail.
s nationwide when it received the last nine Baldwin RF-16
Sharknose locomotives in existence from the New York Central Railroad
on the eve of the Penn Central merger in late 1967. The last two, numbers 1205 and 1216, were sold for scrap in 1974 but subsequently rescued for use on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
In 1903 six class H3-A 2-8-0 locomotives were purched from the PRR, numbered 201-206. six class G-1 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 101-106.
Between 1904 and 1905, two class D-3 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 301 and 302.
Between 1905 and 1906, two class H-1 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 107-114.
In 1907 six class H-4 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased new from the PRR (built for MRR), numbered 207-212.
In 1909 two class D-1 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 300 and 301.
Between 1909 and 1913, steam twenty-six class H-5 2-8-0 locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 115-140.
In 1911 two class D-4 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 303 and 304.
Between 1915 and 1916, three class D-4A 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 305-307.
Between 1915 and 1917, twelve class H-5SA 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 141-152.
Between 1917 and 1918, three class E-2A 4-4-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 308-310.
Between 1917 and 1918, ten class L-1 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 170-179.
In 1923 one class H-5SA 2-8-0 steam locomotive was purchased from H.K. Porter Co., numbered 153.
In 1926 two wrecked class G-1 4-6-0 steam locomotives (No. 34 and 35) were purchased from the Scotts Run Railway Company and rebuilt, one renumbered 99.
In 1927 six class L-2 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from Baldwin
, numbered 180-185.
In 1937 one class E-3SD 4-4-2 steam locomotive was purchased from the PRR, numbered 311.
In 1940 three class L-3 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 186-188.
Between 1941 and 1944, five class L-3A 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 189-193 (189 and 190 formerly LE&E equipment).
Between 1947 and 1949, seven class L-3B 2-8-2 steam locomotievs were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 194-200 (194-201 formerly PMcK&Y equipment).
Between 1950 and 1969, twenty-seven class S-12 4-4 diesel locomotievs were purchased from Baldwin-Lima Hamilton, Eddystone division, numbered 400-426. In addition nine locomotives built by Baldwin-Lima Hamilton were acquired from Penn Central, seven class RF-16 diesels numbered 1205-1216, and two RF-16B diesels numbered 3708 and 3709. (note: 3709 was never used)
Between 1970 and 1989, five class GP-38 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from the Electric-motive division of general motors, numbered 2000-2004. In addition, nine class GP-7 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, six in 1974 and three in 1975 to replace three that were wrecked, numbered 1500-1510.
Between 1990 and 1993, eleven class B23-7Rs 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from General Electric, remanufactured from former Western Pacific units, numbered 2300-2310.
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
-hauling short line railroad in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was jointly controlled originally by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, New York Central subsidiary Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad , also known as the "Little Giant", was formed on May 11, 1875. Company headquarters were located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The line connected Pittsburgh in the east with Youngstown, Ohio at nearby Haselton, Ohio in the west and Connellsville, ...
, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
, with NYC and PRR later succeeded by Penn Central Transportation
Penn Central Transportation
The Penn Central Transportation Company, commonly abbreviated to Penn Central, was an American railroad company that operated from 1968 until 1976. It was created by the merger on February 1, 1968, of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central Railroad...
. The company operated its own line until it was merged into Conrail on May 1, 1993.
The primary connection to both controlling systems was at Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, officially founded in 1785 located 35 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River...
- with the south end of the P&LE's Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Youghiogheny Railroad and with the PRR's ex-Brownsville Railway. The PRR also interchanged traffic at Hoover, Pennsylvania, the end of its Coal Lick Run Branch. The B&O Railroad interchanged at Leckrone, Pennsylvania, and Rivesville, West Virginia
Rivesville, West Virginia
Rivesville is a town in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 913 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:Rivesville is located at in the heart of the Fairmont coal field on the north-west bank of the Monongahela River around its confluence with Paw Paw Creek.According to the...
.
History
The Monongahela Railroad's headquarters and base of operations was Brownsville, Pennsylvania. "As early as 1883, the Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston Railway served Brownsville as evidenced by an old lithograph of the Three Towns showing a diamond stacked locomotive coupled to four passenger cars, ready for a northward move, sitting on the track close to the Snowden House and the United States Post Office. However, the June, 1893, Official Guide (page 324), does not indicate any passenger service to Brownsville off the Redstone Branch."The Monongahela Railroad was a joint venture of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
(PRR) and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad , also known as the "Little Giant", was formed on May 11, 1875. Company headquarters were located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The line connected Pittsburgh in the east with Youngstown, Ohio at nearby Haselton, Ohio in the west and Connellsville, ...
(P&LE), both of which had plans to extend their lines in the area. Each company appointed four of their members to the board of directors, who held their first meeting in January 1901. The newly formed Monongahela Railroad acquired many lines in the area from the PV&C as well as the Southwest Pennsylvania Railway Company, as well as the 19 mile (30 km) right of way from Brownsville to Adah from the PRR, for the sum of $519,696.13.
In 1905, the Dunlap Creek branch opened, which served several mines and coke works and also interchanged with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
. The last move on this line was on November 6, 1975. The track was removed, and the real estate disposed.
In 1909, the 4.2 mi (6.8 km) Rush Run branch was constructed, and a patch town (Sarah, Pennsylvania) was constructed to house the workers at what would have been a coal mine. It was later determined, however, that the coal did not belong to the mine developer, and the line was abandoned, the town was scrapped. Only four trains ever ran on this line, those carrying the ballast to complete the track.
In 1910, the federal government condemned the low-clearance covered bridge in Bridgeport (now South Brownsville), and the Monongahela Railroad bought the bridge company and removed the bridge. In the same year, they installed a 10-stall roundhouse in Bridgeport. This was to be the main yard for the railroad throughout its history of operations.
In 1911, the railroad served seven mines and fifty one coke works (with 34 coke works and 1 mine being on the Dunlap Creek Division) The daily rated output was 1,395 cars of coke and 280 cars of coal. In 1911-1912, the big push was the state line extension, to make a connection with the Buckhannon and Northern Railway (B&N). It involved a major river crossing, and two large creek crossings.
On July 1, 1915, the Monongahela Railroad consolidated with the Buckhannon and Northern Railway to form the Monongahela Railway Company (MRY), still under the control of the parent companies (PRR and P&LE).
In 1927 the Baltimore and Ohio railroad acquired 1/3 (1/6 from each the PRR and P&LE) of the capital stock of the Monongahela Railway, securing their interests in the coal producing area it served.
On January 1, 1930, the Ten Mile branch opened. This branch still serves several coal mines as of 2008.
On October 21, 1950, the Monongahela Railway discontinued passenger service.
On November 25, 1952, the Monongahela Railway ran its first Baldwin S-12
Baldwin S-12
The Baldwin S-12 was a 1,200-horsepower diesel-electric locomotive intended for use in yard switching. The Baldwin Locomotive Works produced a total of 451 units between 1951 and 1956...
diesel locomotive. This marked the beginning of the end of their fleet of steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s, the last one of which being used on May 26, 1954.
In June 1968, the Waynesburg Southern Railroad Company (organized in the interest of the PRR) opened a line from Waynesburg to Consolidated Coal Company's Blacksville No. 1 mine and Eastern Gas & Fuel Company's Federal No. 2 mine. This line is still in service as of 2007.
On May 1, 1993, the Monongahela Railway was merged into the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), later to be bought by Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
and CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
. Eleven GE Class B23-7Rs (sometimes referred to as Super 7s) numbered 2300-2310 were renumbered 2030-2040 by Conrail.
Equipment
The line gained its greatest level of attention from railfanRailfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
s nationwide when it received the last nine Baldwin RF-16
Baldwin RF-16
The Baldwin RF-16 is a cab unit-type diesel locomotive built for freight service by the Baldwin Locomotive Works between 1950 and 1953. All RF-16s were configured with a B-B wheel arrangement and ran on two AAR Type B two-axle road trucks, with all axles powered. A total of 109 cab-equipped A...
Sharknose locomotives in existence from the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
on the eve of the Penn Central merger in late 1967. The last two, numbers 1205 and 1216, were sold for scrap in 1974 but subsequently rescued for use on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
In 1903 six class H3-A 2-8-0 locomotives were purched from the PRR, numbered 201-206. six class G-1 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 101-106.
Between 1904 and 1905, two class D-3 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 301 and 302.
Between 1905 and 1906, two class H-1 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 107-114.
In 1907 six class H-4 2-8-0 steam locomotives were purchased new from the PRR (built for MRR), numbered 207-212.
In 1909 two class D-1 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 300 and 301.
Between 1909 and 1913, steam twenty-six class H-5 2-8-0 locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 115-140.
In 1911 two class D-4 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 303 and 304.
Between 1915 and 1916, three class D-4A 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 305-307.
Between 1915 and 1917, twelve class H-5SA 4-4-0 steam locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 141-152.
Between 1917 and 1918, three class E-2A 4-4-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the PRR, numbered 308-310.
Between 1917 and 1918, ten class L-1 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from ALCO, numbered 170-179.
In 1923 one class H-5SA 2-8-0 steam locomotive was purchased from H.K. Porter Co., numbered 153.
In 1926 two wrecked class G-1 4-6-0 steam locomotives (No. 34 and 35) were purchased from the Scotts Run Railway Company and rebuilt, one renumbered 99.
In 1927 six class L-2 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from Baldwin
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
, numbered 180-185.
In 1937 one class E-3SD 4-4-2 steam locomotive was purchased from the PRR, numbered 311.
In 1940 three class L-3 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 186-188.
Between 1941 and 1944, five class L-3A 2-8-2 steam locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 189-193 (189 and 190 formerly LE&E equipment).
Between 1947 and 1949, seven class L-3B 2-8-2 steam locomotievs were purchased from the P&LE, numbered 194-200 (194-201 formerly PMcK&Y equipment).
Between 1950 and 1969, twenty-seven class S-12 4-4 diesel locomotievs were purchased from Baldwin-Lima Hamilton, Eddystone division, numbered 400-426. In addition nine locomotives built by Baldwin-Lima Hamilton were acquired from Penn Central, seven class RF-16 diesels numbered 1205-1216, and two RF-16B diesels numbered 3708 and 3709. (note: 3709 was never used)
Between 1970 and 1989, five class GP-38 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from the Electric-motive division of general motors, numbered 2000-2004. In addition, nine class GP-7 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from the P&LE, six in 1974 and three in 1975 to replace three that were wrecked, numbered 1500-1510.
Between 1990 and 1993, eleven class B23-7Rs 4-4 diesel locomotives were purchased from General Electric, remanufactured from former Western Pacific units, numbered 2300-2310.
External links
- George Elwood's Fallen Flags site images of the Monongahela Railway
- Images of the Monongahela Railway by John Benner