new book on "McKeesport Trolleys"

[Edward H. Lybarger]

This publication is available from the Pa Trolley Museum store; members are
eligible for their usual discounts.  Ron drew from our Archives, and I
supplied him with a number of the photos for the book.  If you have any
interest in the greater Pittsburgh area, this volume belongs in your
library.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
[mailto:owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org]On Behalf Of Derrick J
Brashear
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 1999 10:55 AM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: new book on "McKeesport Trolleys"


For Christmas my wife got me a new book, named "McKeesport Trolleys" and
by Ronald Beal. I haven't been able to comment on it until now because,
while it was pretty much an open secret she got it (and I talked to the
author, whom she bought it from, that day) she kept it hidden until
Saturday. Oh well.

Anyhow, it covers PRCo, its predecessors and successors, WPRys, its
predecessors and successors, and the various independent systems in the
area (like Duquesne and Dravosburg). Some interesting pictures you've not
seen in print before I'd venture, and plenty of stuff I didn't know
...like apparently the line out to "Scott Haven" from McKeesport on the
West Penn system was built originally only as far as Buena Vista, where
the county had intended to build a bridge; it was intended as part of a
short line down to the Connellsville area. That didn't pan out and a
bridge was next planned for Scott Haven, so the line was extended to
Frank, opposite Scott Haven. The bridge wasn't built there either, but
apparently some sort of cable tram over the river was. A bridge was
finally built at Sutersville at some point, but I don't know when.

he says right of way was graded south of river opposite Buena Vista, and
if I ever get done loading USGS DOQs from the PASDA site I intend to see
if it's obvious. (DOQs are aerial photo quadrangles)

There are a couple other places where right of way was supposedly in place
or partly in place, like the line from Herminie to West Newton (which
would have connected with another there to Monessen)

At any rate, it's a well done book. I have two slight desires
(namely, his maps are a bit crude, and in a few places the text is vague
and I'm sure if I asked he knows the real answer) but overall this book is
well worth the money and if as he says future volumes follow me and my
money will be there.

-D