Post by Frank G. on May 2, 2020 8:02:35 GMT -5
In 1917, Inland Steel (inland Collieries) bought 2,000 acres of land from the Indianola Coal Company. The land is located in Indianola, Pa. maybe 15 miles up the Allegheny River, north of Pittsburgh, Pa. Inland's intension was to build a coal mine here (Indianola Coal Mine). The mine was serviced by the Bessemer and Lake Erie from 1917 to 1956 when the mine ceased operations.
The Bessemer and Lake Erie already being established about 2 to 3 miles away, had crossed the Allegheny River at Harmar Township (near Harmarville, PA) over it's massive bridge. The rail line was heading northward to Rural Ridge, Russelton, Culmerville and beyond.
Somewhere between 1915 and 1917 (possibly sooner) officials at Inland Steel had to meet with officials of the B&LE to discuss laying a spur line from the B&LE's main line to the Indianola Coal Mine.
This spur line was named the Deer Creek Branch. The branch ran from a junction in the Rural Ridge area, crossed Rich Hill Road in Indiana Township, followed Little Deer Creek. At the confluence of Little Deer Creek and Big Deer Creek a duel tunnel was constructed.....one for vehicle traffic, the other for Little Deer Creek, the rail bed ran over the tunnels again crossing Rich Hill Road and Little Deer Creek as it made it's way toward the Indianola Mine. The line again crossed Big Deer Creek (when the PA Turnpike was constructed a railroad bridge was built in 1951 to carry the line over the turnpike. From The turnpike, the line followed Big Deer Creek to the mine.
This is the basic info. What I'm looking for is detailed info. Such as:
1...when did Inland and B&LE officials meet to discuss laying a spur line
2...when was the route surveyed
3...length of time to lay spur
4...name of junction where Deer Creek Branch would have started from
Any info would be helpful....................
Frank