Finleyville -- Single vs Double Track

[Edward H. Lybarger]

Somewhere we have all this information but it's probably an October-November
project (if someone reminds me!!!).

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
[mailto:owner-pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org]On Behalf Of Jim Holland
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000 11:08 PM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: Re: Finleyville -- Single vs Double Track


Greetings!

	Fascinating information, John; thanks for taking the time to share it.
	Answers to a few questions below:::::::

John Swindler wrote:

>>*  Why did PRC spend money to double track to Lanks in the first place???
>>After all, single track was ok for Washington line service.

>>From: Jim Holland <pghpcc at pacbell.net> asked to prior comment:

>       Wasn't Washington built after Charleroi.  The W&C started to
Canonsburg
>and when the rest of the line was built the Charleroi line was already
>operating.  Was it double track to Lanks from the beginning - or was it
>initially single and converted to double?

> Your right, Jim.  Charleroi was first.  Found following which doesn't
answer
> question and strays a bit, but might be of interest.  It's from PAT.

> Does this mean, Jim, that you want me to check some local newspapers
around
> 1909?

	Absolutely  --  no dinner-breakfast-lunch-snacks until all papers are
checked!!:>)

> And does "Electric Railroads" from about 1952 have a date for double
> tracking to Lanks???

	Yes, they do.  Do you want to know what it is?:>)

> There is a - very - hazy recollection that south of
> Oak  through Overbrook was double tracked after start of electric
operation.

	The July--1952 *Electric Railroads* states the following, and I
quote:::::::

	"In 1902, construction was pushed to extend the single track line north
from Riverview to Finleyville and on toward Castle Shannon.  On
September 12, 1903, cars ran thru from Allenport to Shannon where
passengers transferred to continue their ride to Pittsburgh.  By October
10, tracks had been extended from Castle Shannon to Mt. Lebanon where by
950 year lease, cars passed onto tracks of the Pittsburgh & Birmingham
Traction to continue the trip to town via Washington Road, . . . On
December 1, 1904, cars began using the present 42-Dormont line between
Dormont and West Liberty, replacing operation along a country wagon road
with that along fine double track PRW.  The new route then went thru the
new Mount Washington tunnel to a downtown Pittsburgh terminal at erd
Avenue and Wood Street.  In August 1905, the downtown terminal was moved
to the Union (PRR) Station, the route followed was Smithfield, Liberty,
to Station; then Liberty, Wood, Water and Smithfield St. Bridge.  The
next year the route was changed to Smithfield, Liberty, Grant, 7th,
Liberty, Wood, Water and Smithfield."
	"Meanwhile many improvements in bridge strengthening, track improvement
and double tracking were taking place.  About 9 miles of double track
from Castle Shannon south to Finleyville and 1/2-mile from Charleroi
Viaduct #1 to the Charleroi North Boro line cost more than a quarter of
a million dollars. . . For further expansion, charter rights were
secured in the Valley towns of Elizabeth and Clairton but were never
exercised."
	So it doesn't actually give the date of double tracking from Shannon
thru Finleyville, but we might assume it to be 1906 and later, possibly
as early as 1905.  Or plus or minus 1 or 2 years of 1906!
	". . . and first electric cars were run inbound through the valley
route on July 15, 1909.  Outbound service was established on November-1
of the same year,"
	"In 1913, double tracking and some relocation was done between Oak
siding and Shannon,"

> Charleroi - 10 Oct 1903.  From top of Pittsburgh Incline (Warrington & New
> Arlington Aves.) via Washington (Warrington) Ave., West Liberty Ave.
(Lower
> Line), Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon to Allenport.

> Charleroi - 1 Dec 1904.  From 3rd and Wood St., thru Mt. Washington
Tunnel,
> Beechview (Upper Line private right of way), Mt. Lebanon and Castle
Shannon
> to Allenport.

> Washington - 15 Feb. 1909.  From Union Station, Pittsburgh, to Wahsington
> via Mt. Washington Tunnel, West Liberty Junction, Mt. Lebanon Jct and
Castle
> Shannon.

> 14 July 1909 - Pittsburgh & Castle Shannon RR daytime steam railroad
> operation discontinued.  Interurban routes began inbound operation on dual
> guage track via present Castle Shannon route through Fair Haven and South
> Bank.  Steam trains operated only at night.

> 1 Nov. 1909 - Interurban routes began inbound and outbound operation via
> present Castle Shannon route through Overbrook

> 20 June 1910 - Charleroi route extended to Roscoe.

> 1 May 1912 - P & CS steam railroad operation discontinued, and narrow
guage
> rail on Castle Shannon route removed, except where retained as guard rail.

> 19 June 1932 - Castle Shannon Car House Discontinued

> By way, owe everyone an apology.

	Apology Accepted:>)  --  what for?!?!:>)

> John Swindler

James B. Holland

        Pittsburgh  Railways  Company  (PRCo),   1930  --  1950
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