public hearings-West Liberty

[John Swindler]

Fred Sauerburger asked about maps showing P&CS r-of-way, circa 1900.

The map I referenced was a reprint of an Allegheny County Atlas dating to 
about 1900 located in the State Library in Harrisburg.  Not the best scale, 
but interesting.
Fortunately, I see that Ed L. already has a copy set aside for you.  
(Thanks, Ed.)

As for other map sources, Carniege Library in Oakland should have Pittsburgh 
City Directory on microfilm back to about 1840 (copies also in State Library 
in Harrisburg).  Try genealogy or local history room.  Around 1900 several 
editions included city maps.  When printing, please be sure printer set for 
positive printout and 11 x 17 size.  (sounds simple, but I keep forgetting 
to do this!)

One map from horsecar era shows both Pittsburgh Coal Co. RR and Little Saw 
Mill Run Coal RR heading south from the South Side.  The latter went from 
Temperanceville (West End Circle) along Banksville Road corridor. The former 
is the P&CS, and shows "Y" shaped track on top of Mt. Washington to feed two 
inclines descending to Carson St. Of interest elsewhere are the number of 
railroad stations, which probably indicates local commuter train service 
that was wiped out by advent of the electric streetcar.  For instance, B&O 
stations from Grant St. include Birmingham (10th St), Soho, Copper Works, 
Linden (Bates St.), Laughlin, Marion, Hazlewood, Grove, Glenwood and then I 
run off map.

1899 map has larger scale, but doesn't show P&CS, other then track on top of 
Mt. Washington feeding both Castle Shannon incline and Monongahela incline.  
Track starts vic. Ruth St. & William St. and extends in almost straight line 
to Wyoming and Grandview.  The shorter branch parallels what looks like 
Nimick St.  Trolley line to Mt. Washington was via West End circle and 
Woodville (back line) - because 40 was not yet built.  Likewise, Charles St. 
Loop is already in place, but not Fineview, and East St. didn't extend much 
beyond Madison.

1895 map is clearer. Shows Castle Shannon RR r-of-way to city line, which 
was vic. Washington (now Warrington) Ave. and Southern Ave. Shows what could 
be incline from horseshoe to vic. Nimick & Lave, plus dotted line under Ruth 
St.  Was there also a tunnel???

Now you've got me curious, Fred, to see what evidence may still remain of 
the P&CS in vic. of South Hills Jct.


On another matter, Pittsburgh Railways Co. map, undated, but approx 1930, 
shows stub ends for Heidelberg, Thornburg, Sewickley, Spring Hill (via 
Rhine?), Evergreen, Bon Air, Beltzhoover, Mt. Washington (both routes), 
Arlington, Homeville (map predates rt. 65 acquisition), Evans Ave., 
Glassport, Corey Ave., Hulton, Schoenville, 36th St & Carson, and a wye for 
Etna.  What's confusing is that Talbot Ave. in Rankin (67) shows as stub 
rather then loop, nor is connection shown for 68 in McKeesport - unless this 
was still a West Penn operated route from Duquesne.

In the South Hills, on 42 line (for Jim H.'s benefit), Mt. Lebanon Jct. 
(latter Dormont Wye) to Neeld Ave. is shown single track with two passing 
sidings. On Overbrook line, only one siding is shown between Oak and South 
Hills Jct., probably Bon Air.

In vicinity of Tunnel CH, 42 indicated as double track along current 
alignment.  It shows 38/39 as double track in West Liberty Ave., then into 
single track vic Palm Garden trestle, then splitting -  with left branch 
immediately becoming double track connection to 42 vic. Palm Garden Loop - 
and single track right branch extending parallel to 42 to lead directly to 
single track behind administration building, and then double track 
connection to 44/47/48 line.
Now, even I'm confused.  This South Hills Jct. discussion looks like an 
issue requiring photographic evidence.

As for crossovers, ERA map dtd March 4, 1945 shows 28 Heidelberg crossover 
on Bell at Woodkirk in Carnegie.  Also shows crossovers not at end of track 
on Overbrook vic. Glenbury and at Castle Shannon (was loop a post-war 
addition?), 65 on Amity near 8th in Homestead, Braddock near Library on 55 
and Library near Bell, Atwood at Forbes, Evans at 5th in McKeesport, 2 
crossovers at Kennywood Park but only one shown at 10/15 terminal. Also east 
of Glenwood Bridge on 56, West Liberty at Dormont Wye, and in Dravosburg.  
Missing from the map are crossovers for 32 P&LE Transfer, unless they were 
also later additions. Looks like there was a crossover on Smithfield St. at 
the P&LE Station stop.  Keep in mind that map not drawn by local raifan.

Hope this hasn't muddied waters too much.

John S.




>From: Frederick J Sauerburger MD <fjsmd at mindspring.com>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: RE: public hearings-West Liberty
>Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 18:43:22 -0500
>
>
> >The Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon r-of-way is indicated, and there is a
> >trestle across Saw Mill Run in vicinity of Bon Air siding, probably to 
>serve
> >some coal mines along hillside now occupied by South PATway.
> >In vicinity of what became South Hills Jct., looks like the P&CS had a
> >horseshoe r-of-w to line up with back incline.  Also looks like some "Y"
> >shaped railroad trackage on top of Mt. Washington to serve two inclines 
>for
> >descent to Carson St.  Better maps are in Allegheny County Court House if
> >one is really interested.
> >
> >Guess this has gone somewhat astray for dealing with Pittsburgh 
>streetcars.
> >
>
>Whoa! John! Not at all, at least for me.
>I grew up crawling all over the sides of the hill around the Bon Air stop
>and am very interested in the P&CS, since I used the grading for one of the
>mine leads along with a switchback to walk from my home to the Bon Air 
>Stop.
>How can I painlessly (for you) get hold of these drawings of a spur ACROSS
>Saw Mill Run (WOW!) from the Bon Air Stop??????
>
>Fred (the other Fred) Sauerburger
>
>
>

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