[PRCo] Re: Beaver Valley Transit - Junction Park

[Dwight Long]

Derrick

Vollmer's Jeep?  I guess their string finally ran out.  Was a Hudson dealer 
when located in Rochester (had to move because of reconstruction of Conway's 
Corner), then later morphed into a Lincoln-Mercury one.  Did not know they 
had jumped ship to Chrysler--probably not a good move.

BVT used Market Street (the main street) of West Bridgewater.  The track 
(single) was laid in concrete and the rails were intact into probably the 
60s at least before being blacktopped over.  The small piece of the curving 
roadway up to the P&LE station in Beaver is part of that concrete and as I 
said before, is one of only two extant visible BVT trackage of which I am 
aware. Double track (and dual gauge) began just west of the underpass under 
the P&LE at the Beaver-West Bridgewater line.

Dwight

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derrick Brashear" <shadow at gmail.com>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementix.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 11:11 AM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Beaver Valley Transit - Junction Park


> On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 11:07 AM, Stephen Titchenal
> <stephen at titchenal.com> wrote:
>> 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?)
>
> i assume that's what that dealer is (by the P&LE tracks) now.
>
>> and Vollmer's
>> Dealership (listed in Junction Park or along 3rd Ave - current Penske 
>> Truck
>> Rental? )
>
> Vollmer Jeep sold their franchise, but it was at the light at the east
> end of those piers.
>
> The "new Fallston Bridge" morphed into the Veterans' Bridge and will
> effectively be
> the new Sharon Bridge.
>
>>
>> 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.
>
> it was apparently in really bad shape, i've read similar stories elsewhere
>
>> 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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>> http://lists.dementix.org/files/pittsburgh-railways/BeaverValley-MotormanAndConductor1904-12p22.pdf
>>
>>
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>> http://lists.dementix.org/files/pittsburgh-railways/Junction%20Park%20-%20Page%20389%20from%20electric_railway_journal_v44.pdf
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Derrick
>
>