Finleyville -- Single vs Double Track

[Jim Holland]

Greetings!

	Very thoughtful of you, Ed!

	But this information falls into the category of *nice-to-know*  -- 
definitely do not need to know.  I think we can let it go at that.

	If (as you go thru the archives) you run across this info  a-n-d  you
remember this discourse, it would be nice information to post.

	But I wouldn't ask you to search for this - and won't remind you,
either!

Edward H. Lybarger wrote:
> 
> 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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