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Post by BleBob on Dec 7, 2011 19:56:12 GMT -5
I have started this thread to share and gather information pertaining to the Bessemer and Lake Erie railroads operations based around the city of Erie, PA. The B&LE had a short segment of track in Erie to serve both customers, there passenger station, and act as an interchange point with other railroads. A brief timeline of operation are as followed. 1891 the PS&LE obtains trackage rights from the NKP from Wallace Jct. to Cascade and begins operations to Erie. 1965 the B&LE abandons the W12th Street trackage. In 1995 the B&LE makes its final run over NS tracks to Erie
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on Jan 14, 2012 16:04:42 GMT -5
For sake of documentation, last two runs into Erie took place on Jan 18 and Mar 23, 1995. Both were light runs into Erie and back in order to pull a load from Erie Press on 12th St, and then spot the car for NS to pick up. The 855 was the power on Jan 18th, while the 853 had the honors for the final run. Photo shows 855 returning in January, on the NS trestle over Walnut Creek. Attachments:
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Post by Jon on Jan 14, 2012 23:03:38 GMT -5
Wow now THAT is something! Thanks for the image there Jim.
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on Jan 29, 2012 14:25:43 GMT -5
For a brief period, during the transition following the removal of the 12th St tracks in Erie, the Bessemer interchanged with the NYC by running from the new connection near Raspberry St directly to the NYC's East Yard. The route would utilize the NYC #42 Running Track to XC, the main line thru the plant, and then into the yard. Here's two shots of the 285, one taken at the PRR crossing at XC, and the other near Ash Street. The date is October 14, 1965. In the XC shot, note the guy in the suit - - - undoubtedly an official from one of the RR's. Attachments:
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on Jan 29, 2012 14:37:04 GMT -5
Re. the B&LE and the NYC Erie East yard. Here's the 2nd shot, reduced to a more manageable file size (I hope) Attachments:
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on Jan 29, 2012 14:57:01 GMT -5
And, reposting the Ash St shot in a better file size - - - Attachments:
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Post by BleBob on Jan 29, 2012 15:26:15 GMT -5
Thank you very much for sharing these photos. These are a great look into the operations.
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Post by BleBob on Feb 2, 2012 16:53:04 GMT -5
B&LE units based out Erie
281 65ton Westinghouse 282 DS4-4-10 Baldwin 285 SW8 EMD 286 NW2 EMD 291 S4 Alco 292 S4 Alco
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Post by Jon on Feb 2, 2012 18:08:32 GMT -5
Does anyone know what the Erie switchers were prior to the 281? I know thats going way back into the cobwebs on that question...
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on Feb 3, 2012 16:19:36 GMT -5
The B&LE issued a "subject to future abandonment" notice in October of 1987 (no date, just month and year) which included all trackage within the city of Erie. This appears to have been the first step in exiting operations within the city, and terminating the trackage rights into Erie. As noted above, operations continued for years thereafter.
That same notice included two other segments - -
- - the eastern most (geographically) approximate one mile of the Hilliards Branch, and
- - the "E & P Branch" which was the segment of the Pennsy's E&P line between the overhead crossing at Lexington and Girard Jct. The Bessemer acquired this right of way in anticipation of a power plant that was under consideration, to be located west of Lake City, PA. The rails were still in place at the time, although the diamond over the NS (Thornton Jct) as well as the connection at Girard Jct had been removed. Was told that had this route gone into service, the crossing at Thornton would have been at-grade, while the trackage at GJ would have passed under Conrail.
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Post by mikeenssle on May 12, 2012 19:20:34 GMT -5
Does the Bessemer/CN still own the E&P branch from lexington and wouldent that have been a big undertaking to build under conrail. Last i knew about 3 to 4 years ago i went down where the switch was in place by the power company in springfield. I would guess they would have ran from that to the E&P line. Plus I think at one point they would have had to build a bg bridge to cross a gulf. I drove most of that sec with my car back in 97. That would have really been awsome to see some of the E&P open again.
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nkp715
Junior Member
Posts: 79
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Post by nkp715 on May 13, 2012 7:34:29 GMT -5
To the best of my knowledge, the former E&P has been formally abandoned.
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Post by dieseldetailer on May 16, 2012 10:51:54 GMT -5
The E&P was the Pennsylvania Railroad. Do you mean the line from Wallace Jct Mike?
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Post by mikeenssle on May 16, 2012 23:33:23 GMT -5
No i ment the E&P yeah i knew that was the Pennsylvania.
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Post by BleBob on Sept 15, 2013 12:38:23 GMT -5
When was the local crew in Erie moved to Albion?
Thanks,
Bob
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