Chartiers Branch

Chartiers Branch

The Chartiers branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad followed Chartiers Creek from Carnegie to Washington, passing Bridgeville, present day Southpointe, and Canonsburg. It is 23.6 miles (38.0 km) long and construction was completed in 1867 and is still in use today, after passing through at least seven different owners.

Contents

History

In 1831 the Washington & Pittsburg Railroad was chartered to build a rail link between Pittsburgh and Washington. Chartiers Creek was determined to be the easiest route, but enough financial support was not gathered. The same happened in 1837.

On February 7, 1853, the Chartiers Valley Railroad was formed to fulfill the failed task of the Washington & Pittsburg Railroad. Work was started, but when almost a third done in 1856, funds ran out. The road foreclosed in 1861, and the Right of Way was sold to William Howard a solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR).

In 1867, the Chartiers Railway Company was founded, and with PRR backing finished the line. On December 19, 1870, regular service began between Carnegie and Canonsburg. May 18, 1871, saw the beginning of service to Washington.

The line was leased to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railway (PC&StL) on December 8, 1871. The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (PCC&StL) gained the lease when it was formed and acquired the road on November 20, 1907. The PCC&StL formed part of the PRR system.

Although initially poor, coal fields found in the 1880s proved prosperous. The branch provided revenue even through World War II. However, around this time the coal supply declined and highway access increased. This led to the closing of the B&M branch in 1942. Passenger service to Washington halted on July 20, 1952. The double track changed to a single and stations decreased. The Westland and Palanka branches was abandoned in 1955. On August 4, 1959, the connection with the main line at Carnegie was abandoned for a short run over the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny Railway trackage rights. Signals were also abandoned and removed at this time.

The Penn Central, like it did for much of its main and secondary track, let the branch fall into disrepair. Conrail took the line over in 1976 and stopped service west of Tylerdale. It was renamed Canonsburg Industrial Track and was put up for sale in 1994.

In 1996, RailTex bought the line and started the Pittsburgh Industrial Railroad (PIR). The PIR lasted for 4 years before being sold to the Ohio Central Railroad System, who formed the Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad (POHC). The POHC is the current owner of the line.

Branches

Bridgeville and McDonald Branch

The Bridgeville and McDonald branch left from Bridgeville at MP 4 and went to Venice to serve the Bishop Coal Mine. It was abandoned in 1942.

Westland Branch

The Westland Branch left Houston at MP 15.3 and went to Westland coal mine (Midland #3). It was abandoned in 1955.

Palanka Branches

Two branches left the Westland branch to serve the Palanka mines.

Connections

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chartiers — may refer to the following places in Pennsylvania: Chartiers Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River Little Chartiers Creek, a tributary of Chartiers Creek Chartiers Run (Chartiers Creek), a tributary of Chartiers Creek Chartiers Branch, of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Chartiers Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania — For other uses, see Chartiers (disambiguation). Chartiers Township Township Country United States …   Wikipedia

  • Pittsburgh Industrial Railroad — Infobox SG rail railroad name=Pittsburgh Industrial Railroad logo filename= logo size= old gauge= marks=PIR locale=McKees Rocks, Bridgeville, Canonsburg, and Washington start year=1996 end year=2000 hq city=McKees Rocks, PennsylvaniaThe… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Pennsylvania Railroad lines west of Pittsburgh — The following lines were owned or operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad west of Pittsburgh and Erie.Pittsburgh to Chicago*Main Line (Pittsburgh to Chicago) **Economy Branch (Baden) **Block House Run Branch (New Brighton) **North Rochester Branch… …   Wikipedia

  • Canonsburg, Pennsylvania — Geobox|Borough name = Canonsburg official name = category = Borough image size = image caption = flag size = symbol = symbol type = etymology = John Canon etymology type = Named for nickname = Most radioactive town in America motto = country =… …   Wikipedia

  • Ohio Connecting Railroad Bridge — Ohio Connecting Bridge The Ohio Connecting Railroad Bridge (with the McKees Rocks Bridge in the background). Carries 2 rail lines Crosses …   Wikipedia

  • Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad — Infobox SG rail railroad name=Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad marks=POHC locale=McKees Rocks, Bridgeville, Canonsburg, and Washington start year=2000 end year=present hq city=McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania The Pittsburgh and Ohio Central… …   Wikipedia

  • Canonsburg — 40° 09′ 15″ N 80° 06′ 58″ W / 40.1543, 80.116 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of rivers of Pennsylvania — This is a list of streams and rivers in the U.S. state of PennsylvaniaBy drainage basinThis list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries indented under each larger stream s name.Delaware Bay*Delaware River **Christina River… …   Wikipedia

  • Washington County, Pennsylvania — Infobox U.S. County county = Washington County state = Pennsylvania map size = 225 founded = March 28, 1781 seat = Washington | largest city = Washington area total sq mi =861 area land sq mi =857 area water sq mi =4 area percentage = 0.45%… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”