[PRCo] Beaver Valley Transit - Junction Park

[Stephen Titchenal]

Not being from Pittsburgh or ever visiting some of these locations, it is
difficult be sure of some information.
I have not found Junction Park shown on any map that I can find, although
there are many references to Junction Park. There are bridge abutments in
current aerials west of YMCA Drive (off 3rd Ave) which I am assuming was the
Sharon Bridge that the BVT used and Junction Park was NE of the intersection
of YMCA drive and 3rd Ave where the YMCA is today. Can't find Friends
Dealership (listed on Rt 51 - current Wright Pontiac, GMC?) and Vollmer's
Dealership (listed in Junction Park or along 3rd Ave - current Penske Truck
Rental? )

Did the BVT follow Market St or Walnut Alley through Bridgewater?

http://www.bchistory.org/beavercounty/BeaverCountyTopical/BridgesandRoads/BC
BridgeFacts.html
6. The old Sharon Bridge crossed the Beaver River at a location that can
best be described as "Friends Dealership to Vollmer's Dealership." It was
built in 1887 and probably carried many people from Beaver Bridgewater,
Vanport and Midland over to the Junction Park. I was interested in why this
bridge was closed and was really amazed to read the following: "Dismantled
after 1933 detour, closed as punishment for speeding motorists." Yes sir,
big as life, right there on Page 79 - "Punishment for Speeding Motorists."
How's that, sports car fans? I can't help but wonder who made such a
monumental decision. Probably someone who had an interest in river ferries.


Motorman and Conductor Dec 1904 pg 22

BEAVER VALLEY, PA.

Rapid Development of Railway Service.

Some three years ago the traction service in Beaver Valley was barely an
excuse and rendered a most unsatisfactory service, in which less than sixty
men were eking out a begardly existence. About that time the entire service
passed under a new management, and to-day Beaver Valley has Just cause to be
pleased that the change took place. Beaver Valley to-day has an electric
railway system that affords ample accommodation to the densely populated
towns and hamlets in the entire valley. The service comprises some forty
miles of track, and employes 100 car operators besides track hands,
electricians, power house and repair men. etc. In fact, the company is one
of the leading employers of labor in the valley. Since the present
management took hold the entire road has been reconstructed and double
tracked. Miles of extension have also been added. Our line extends from
Morado on the north to Conway (or Remington, as it is officially known)
east, to Vanport west, with extensions through New Brighton to Beaver Falls
and across the Ohio river to Monaca and Colonia, where are some large steel
mills. A short line runs up the historic Big Beaver from Bridgewater to
Sharon, a hamlet in Beaver county.

The towns embraced are Morado, College Hill. Beaver Falls, New Brighton (two
lines). Junction Park, Rochester. Freedom. Conway, Remington, Monaca.
Colonia. Bridgewater. West Bridgewater, Sharon, Beaver and Vanport.

The company operates a park at Morado. with the usual summer attractions,
and Junction Park, midway between New Brighton and Rochester, where is
situated the power plant, lying along the banks of the Big Beaver.

Morado park is beautifully situated, high up on a rocky eminence, with
natural scenery, wide views overlooking the Beaver Valley up and down the.
Big Beaver river. Nature reigns supreme mid rocks and ravines; no artificial
means being used to destroy the rustic beauty. A most delightful spot to
rest and refresh.

Junction Park has a "merry-go-round," roller coaster, dancing pavilion,
summer theater, etc., and is well patronized.

A trip through Beaver to Vanport along the banks of the grand old Ohio Is a
delightful one, especially in the summer time.

Nearly the entire system consists of double tracks, with good roadbed, heavy
rails and all the up-to-date accessions used in modern electric lines.

The company have about finished double tracking between Rochester and
Freedom, and much better service can soon be maintained. At present
ten-minute service is furnished, with twenty-minute service at quieter hours
of the way. The streets are paved with brick, making nice running.

We have nearly a hundred men in our Local and as good a lot of fellows as
you would wish to meet-friendly and sociable.

Their efficiency in the business can be well understood when you know that
no fatalities have occurred to either passengers or pedestrians. This. I
consider, a remarkable record.

The only accident, caused by a bad rail, was fatal to the motorman. Motorman
Edward Thome lost control of his car while coming into Rochester from
Monaca, down grade, around a sharp curve at the end of the Monaca bridge.
His car 1umped the track and crashed into a hrlek building, killing him
Instantly.

Resolutions upon his death appear in another column. Division No. 105 took
charge of the remains and a delegation accompanied the same to New Castle,
his home, for interment. He was an experienced man and had metered In
Pittsburg, New Castle and Sharon. Conductor Hartman had three ribs
fractured, but is at work again. The accident occurred on Oct. 9th. None of
the passengers were injured.

Such accidents are much to be regretted.

Through the kindness of our company. "The Beaver Valley Traction Co.," we
had the use of the dancing pavilion at Junction Park for our first annual
ball in September. We cleared nearly $200 for our sick fund.

Our genial dispatcher, Mr. Clint Whitling. who has not been in good health
for some time, expects to spend a long vacation in either Florida or
California. Mr. Whitling is an experienced street railroad man, having risen
in the ranks from "one of us'; to his present responsible place. The boys
trust he may be benefited.

Our boys are great adherents of "Teddy' Roosevelt in this respect, they do
not believe in race suicide, as is evidenced by the fact that we have lately
had quite a number of "smokes" in honor of new arrivals.

Some time ago the company put into service a package car, in charge of
Motorman Householder and Conductor Chambers. It Is 80 far proving successful
through the hustling abilities of these brothers.

Our treasurer, Bro. McGahan, who is a great politician, went to Pittsburg
last week and participated in the great Republican parade. He reports having
had a swell time.

Last meeting night our annual nomination of officers took place and the
election occurs In December. Lively interest was manifested, especially as
the new set of officers will have In charge the future welfare of our
division.

Our contract expires April 1st. All are looking forward to better "hauling"
with a prospect for better wages.

At our last meeting two new members were elected for initiation, one
motorman and one conductor, and expect to ride "Billy" at our next meeting.
Bros. Hilling and Guy are cornering the market on tin cans and "sich" with
which to feed "Billy" and expect to have him In good shape for the event.

Our meetings are held on the first Saturday night after the 5th of each
month, and any brother who happens to sidetrack this way will he cordially
welcome. We have pool and billiard tables and a library for our amusement
and edification, and will be glad to meet visiting brothers and extend the
hand of fellowship to them.


-----Original Message-----
From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org
[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementix.org] On Behalf Of Dwight
Long
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 12:01 AM
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org
Cc: pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org; Doug Long
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Beaver Valley Transit


Derrick

Yes, the Sharon Bridge did indeed have track, but it was not between New 
Brighton and Beaver Falls.  It was between Junction Park, just outside New 
Brighton (and the home of BVT shops as well as Junction Park, a trolley 
amusement park) and West Bridgewater, Pa.  This was an early abandonment of 
BVT, prior to 1931, so that when the main Rochester-West Bridgewater bridge 
burned in that year, it was not available as an alternate route and cars on 
the line in Vanport, Beaver, and West Bridgewater were marooned and isolated

from the shops for the duration of that line's existence.

Dwight




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