Below is a view of a 1939 turnpike construction showing the Negro Mtn. Tunnel just alongside the new turnpike alignment at mile post 115.9-116.2. This shot also reveals more work existed in the farm just to the east of the tunnel that I didn't know existed and destroyed by the farmer.
Can you guess where this site is showing the actual SPRR across the center of the screen shot? A Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange was not yet built here but should be just to the to right corner of this shot near the AQN.
This shot is actually still there along the Allegheny Mtn. Look along the bottom to see route 31 east of the Allegheny Mtn.
Tracking the William Henry Vanderbilt South Pennsylvania Railroad right of way along the Historic Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Everett 1939
The turnpike isn't even under construction in this shot. But an area just to the south bank of the river where you see the bridge down river or on the right is an open area where the freight yards were to be located for the railroad. Also notice the two railroad bridges to the west of the town now gone belonging to the B&B grade.
....Now that will be interesting.......Haven't enlarged each photo yet. I will get into it, and see just what I can "see".
Quentin
...Russ: Have a delay in my attention here....Wife had to go to ER this morning and was admitted for tests.
I'll get back later.
Rccognize this site? Ohio Pyle and known by the South aPenn as the youghiogheny Division. Ohio Pyle, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Well! look at the railroad grade (Western Maryland) along the south side of the river. Then using the next map that is positivly dated 1883 of te same area. Remember Western Maryland was not in Pennsylvania until 1906.
....I've been to Ohio Pyle, many years ago. Many.
Yes, it's easy to see the two grades on your photo. WM and B&O.
I've read several times in the past, that the WM had the better route across the miles of Pennsylvania, even though they basically followed the river, and on down over the Alleghenies. But seems the B&O decided to keep their own when the WM was abandoned.
....Your photo of the SPRR grade climbing the Alleghenies shows {to me}, they seemed to find a first class route climbing up that bunch of ridges and mountainous terrian.
Used to run rt. 31 {that you show on the photo}....Ran tests with test trucks up and down that 31 mountain grade and on down the long flat valley and thru Manns Choice and on out to rt. 30, then head west and once again climb the same mountain on rt. 30 and on in to Jennerstown to our test facility.
In this next map Look to the left side and you wil see Ohio Pyle to compare it to the 1939-39 photo of the same area. SPRR is the maker of this map. Look at the tag at the bottom right corner with the SPRR initials.
....In what area....? In the Meyersdale area the WM is {was}, far south of the ROW for the SP.
I added a comparing map for the Ohio Pyle secion. HOW IS YOUR WIFE?????? FINE I PRAY!!!!
....Believe you are saying to look for comparison around Ohio Pyle....and that it was layed out {SPRR}, to head down that way from the more northern route...{Turnpike site}, but if that is what you are alluding to, none of that was ever actually constructed, from my snooping and reading.....But I'm not the expert on such.
Correct then a lot of the SPRR was not completed making it a very challanging route to locate which you've seen I have done with back up written documented proof. I love this history. A real slooth. I recall when I just began this research and said I would not get cocky but now I have learned so much I could brag and be proud to presnt its findings to others.
But will forever say I am always learning. Sometimes in spurts others in overwelming amounts of information.
The first major expansion was to be just on the east end of the Tuscarora Tunnel to Hagerstown to Baltimore. So this section to Connellsville was not that important. However it would have been built. Re the report on my web page. 13 years of research is a lot to re write on this forum. Yet its documented for others to research my findings.
....I don't blame you since you have dug up the data.
Any old RR grade is of interest to me...especially if it is still evident enough to really see the engineering, etc. that went into it.
I realize the SPRR in that respect is more of a challange since it was worked piece meal {and never finished}, during construction, just like most large transportation corridors are done. Contract here, contract there and so on, until they connect. Wish RR building was still common, I'd sure love to see them develop the routes.
....She is worn out....We were released by the Cardiologist at 10 this morning but had to wait for the reg. Dr. on that floor to release her and that didn't happen to 6 this evening.....Waiting, waiting....!
Tests were pretty much negative. She had open heart surgery 15 years ago, but these recent tests don't blame the heart. She must be careful what she eats, and does, etc....exercise and now, that mostly is on her bike....Me too.
Perhaps she will feel better in the morning....We're both shot down.
Thanks for asking.
....Yes, I wish Dave would come on {he did give the ok many moons ago to continue with this subject on his thread}, and maybe he would change the "Subject" heading for us.
Hope others of the area are seeing it and wish some would join in.
...Appreciate that Russ.
It's a great subject. I would not have really researched it but I found great interest in locating evidence of its whereabouts as wella s many other evidence that show its worth keeping on the story. The SPRR is worth staying focused on.
....Maybe more will join in if they will see some of this.
Back tomorrow.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/spennrr18811885/Amtrackcurve.jpg
Here is my walk into the woods to get what I didn't expect to get crossing the bridge.
.....Good Morning Russ....Welcome back, glad to see you on here. Hope you are doing well.
When you drive over the Pennsylvania Turnpike @ mp 106.0, you drive over this South Penn culvert. 1/2 South Penn,1/2 turnpike cement. Sue and her son Adrian explore the wor. Sue is my girlfriend.
Passenger train crosses Rockville Bridge. We didn't expect to see this train but got here just as it was crossing. Great timing huh?.
...Climbing that hill to see that view should reward one with something spectactular and it looks like you did catch the rare one...What, is that the Pennsylvanian...
Looks like you have been busy. Another rare find...{under the Turnpike}.
No a road get us to the top and a 1/2 hour walk along the ridge gets me that shot. Yes the Pennsylvanian on a saturday afternoon. I located another hill on the opposite side and will check that out at a later date. That will look good hopefully.
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