[PRCo] Re: Not a streetcar, BUT

[Edward H. Lybarger]

An interesting read is West Penn's abandonment petition for this portion of
the line.  They naturally cite lack of patronage and operating losses, but
go on to discuss the vital need to replace this worn out ballast if they
were to have to maintain service, and how that investment would never pay
for itself.

Check it out next time you're in the PUC's "reading room!"

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of Dennis
Fred Cramer
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 9:02 AM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Not a streetcar, BUT

The infamous "glass waste ballast" up to Lenape Park, I have to assume Tub
Mill Run is the creek to the south of Ford City and the right of way is to
the north of the creek? Google doesn't label creek names, but it seems to
fit my memory of the line (went through Ford City from Kittanning, *then* up
to Lenape Park)


Tub Mill run starts just south of the Ford City Bridge and the right of way
was to the north of it.  The line began at the junction of Cowanshannock
Creek and the Allegheny River, north of Kittanning, went in to Kittanning,
crossed over the PRR and then went south through Ford City and up the hill
to Lenape Park.  There is still lots of ballast there.  My science teacher
friends used to have to explain to disappointed students that it was not
quartz, but "pot glass".  The waste beaten by laborers from the inside of
the giant caldrons used in the glass making process at what was once the
"World's Largest Plate Glass Factory".

The right of way is now a well used path (when the snow is gone) up the
hill.


          Dennis F. Cramer
http://home.windstream.net/dfc1